4/09/2025

THURSDAY | SEPT 4, 2025

3 BRICS membership timely shift in global order for M’sia

‘No criminal elements or abuse of power in MyKiosk’ KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has stressed that no criminal elements or abuse of power was found in the implementation of the MyKiosk initiative based on the results of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation. Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said MACC conducted the probe after receiving complaints and the ministry had handed over all relevant documents to MACC on May 22 as a sign of the ministry’s transparency and integrity. “The investigation results announced on July 3 found no criminal elements or abuse of power. It only proposed several improvements in terms of governance,” she said at the oral question-and-answer in the Dewan Negara yesterday. She was responding to Senator Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman, who wanted to know the results of MACC’s probe into the governance of the MyKiosk initiative and also from Senator Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz and Senator Husin Ismail. According to Aiman Athirah, for 2023, a total of RM50 million was allocated for the implementation of MyKiosk 1.0, involving 3,189 units at a cost of RM48.18 million, while for 2024, RM100 million was allotted for MyKiosk 2.0, involving 4.054 units worth RM98.75 million. “So far, the occupancy rate for MyKiosk 1.0 has reached 94%, while for MyKiosk 2.0 is at 89%. As for the unoccupied units, factors such as location suitability, the lack of basic infrastructure and uncompleted sites have been identified as the main causes.” She said a task force has been set up to scrutinise the locations and speed up occupancy, besides conducting integrated monitoring and joint engagement sessions. Aiman Athirah said the ministry has also introduced a monitoring system, based on the “traffic light” method, to evaluate the performance of local authorities by initially giving full marks as a form of encouragement. She explained that the ceiling cost for one MyKiosk 1.0 unit is RM15,000, while for MyKiosk 2.0 is RM25,000 per unit with new specifications. She added that the ministry also allowed local authorities to relocate the kiosks to more strategic locations in public areas, if necessary, since the MyKiosk has been designed to be mobile and to meet local requirements.

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Joining bloc offers economic leverage but may intensify US-China rivalry, requires careful diplomacy to avoid Western backlash: Analysts

siding with China and Russia. “This could trigger diplomatic or trade pressures, although Malaysia will likely stress its non-aligned stance to balance ties.” He described Malaysia’s tilt toward BRICS as ‘both a necessity and a risk,’ offering access to new markets and stronger bargaining power but also requiring careful diplomacy to avoid Western backlash and overreliance on China. Economist Prof Geoffrey Williams said the economic rationale was strong, given the bloc’s scale and potential. “BRICS is a large trade and investment area with a population of 3.2 billion and GDP of US$26 trillion (RM110.98 trillion). “It offers Malaysia access to a vast consumer market and possible inflows of investment, while also creating opportunities for Malaysian companies abroad.” Williams stressed that as a small, open economy, Malaysia needs to maintain a wide spread of trade and investment partners. “Flexibility is important and BRICS offers that. Additional trade and investment will also increase demand for the ringgit and support it over the medium to long term.” On possible US retaliation, he added that tariffs could be a concern, but Malaysia’s exposure to Washington is limited. “Recent FDI (foreign direct investment) deals are mostly with US multinationals, not the government. The key is for Malaysia to remain non-aligned and independent, focusing on trade rather than political integration. “It’s about securing flexibility in a shifting global economy.” On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced China’s support for Malaysia’s full BRICS membership to be expedited. He described the endorsement as a great honour for Malaysia, enabling the nation to continue playing a significant role on the world stage. BRICS currently comprises 10 countries – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Malaysia became a partner country in the bloc late last year. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In 2024, bilateral trade reached RM484.12 billion, representing 16.8% of Malaysia’s total global trade of RM2.9 trillion.

PETALING JAYA: China’s strong endorsement of Malaysia’s bid for full BRICS membership presents a major opportunity to expand the country’s global influence and economic ties. But analysts caution it also places Malaysia squarely in the middle of intensifying United States–China rivalry, demanding careful diplomacy. Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said pursuing a BRICS membership was timely, given the shifting global order and US President Donald Trump’s unpredictable economic policies. “Malaysia made the decision to move closer to BRICS before Trump returned to office, but it looks like the right call now. Trump has been using tariffs to threaten smaller

any single superpower.” International Islamic University Malaysia international law expert Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Yazid Zul Kepli agreed that China’s endorsement was a major boost but warned it could be seen in Washington as Malaysia leaning closer to Beijing. “The endorsement is significant because it comes from the most influential member of BRICS. It boosts our chances of joining, but in the context of US–China rivalry, it also risks straining ties with Washington.” Yazid noted that if Trump ramps up anti-BRICS rhetoric, Malaysia’s membership could be read as

nations, so it is important that countries like Malaysia, as part of the Global South, have a platform where their voices can be heard,” he told theSun . Azmi said BRICS offers Malaysia economic and geopolitical leverage. “With China backing us, it shows how close the relationship has become. As the Asean chair, Malaysia benefits from this support regionally and globally. At the same time, it doesn’t mean we are discarding the US. “We will still trade with the US, but we must also diversify into new markets and platforms. This shows we are not under the umbrella of

KLIA aerotrain resumes 24-hour operations PUTRAJAYA: The aerotrain service at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has resumed round the-clock operations following the completion of scheduled maintenance works. between midnight and 5am daily without disrupting passenger connectivity. Airside shuttle buses ensured seamless travel between the main terminal building and the satellite building during the period. “The exercise was conducted to fine-tune system responsiveness and reliability. The signalling software has also been updated during the scheduled works. Aerotrain service at KLIA has resumed round-the-clock operations following the completion of scheduled maintenance works. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN To a supplementary question from Abdul Halim on the differences between the old and new version of MyKiosk, Aiman Athirah said the latest model is equipped with 100-watt solar panels (50 watts previously), powder-coated walls, a fan, a weather and waterproofing system and an increased coverage angle. The increased cost is in line with the enhanced specifications, she added. – Bernama Ministry recognises men as victims of violence, pledges greater protection KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Department on domestic violence cases, Bernama reported. Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said in a statement yesterday that the Aug 18-31 maintenance was carried out “The aerotrain is a vital link in KLIA’s operations. “We will continue to invest in infrastructure that delivers greater reliability, safety and comfort for all travellers.” Malaysia Airports operates 39 airports in Malaysia and one international airport in Istanbul, Turkiye. KLIA is among the region’s preferred aviation hubs. - Bernama

Insol on the societal stigma against men who choose to become homemakers, Noraini said the government through the National Population and Family Development Board has implemented various awareness programmes to promote shared responsibility in households.

Negara yesterday. She said in domestic violence cases, investigations are carried out by the Social Welfare Department under the Domestic Violence Act 1994, which applies to all victims regardless of gender. To a question from Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick

Its deputy minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the ministry recognises that men are also at risk of becoming victims of violence and deserve appropriate protection and support. She said there are two different sets of statistics issued by the police and the Social Welfare

“Despite the differences, we acknowledge that men are also at risk of violence and deserve protection and support,” she said in response to a question from Senator Datuk Nelson Angang in the Dewan

Development Ministry has pledged to strengthen efforts to address violence against men, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, which remains underreported despite being increasingly evident.