10/09/2025

WEDNESDAY | SEPT 10, 2025

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Security tightened at nation’s LNG hubs after threats: DPM

‘Malaysia’s healthcare system needs urgent reform’ PETALING JAYA: Malaysia must move quickly to reform its healthcare system as demographic shifts, rising chronic diseases and mounting financial pressures threaten to overwhelm public services, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. Speaking at the 14th Allied Health Scientific Conference 2025, he said Malaysia’s gains in extending life expectancy and improving maternal and child health risk being overshadowed by new challenges. “By 2030, 15% of Malaysians will be above 60. Non-communicable diseases already account for more than 70% of premature deaths, costing RM64.2 billion annually. “Our workforce is stretched thin, overworked and overburdened while financial pressures demand a system that is both equitable and sustainable.” He said Malaysia’s dual healthcare system is increasingly lopsided, with public hospitals bearing most of the load while private facilities remain underutilised. “Without intervention, the gap will only grow. The task is clear – strengthen the public system to deliver universal health coverage while giving the private sector a structured, complementary role.” Dzulkefly said health financing has been prioritised under the 13th Malaysia Plan and in the upcoming Budget 2026 as out-of-pocket payments remain high. “Malaysians still spend about 36% of total health expenditure from their own pockets, nearly double the World Health Organisation’s recommended benchmark of below 20%. “To fix this, we need a financing model that is equitable, sustainable and future-proof.” He outlined reforms under the Reset framework, developed with the Finance Ministry, Bank Negara and the Employees Provident Fund, bringing several initiatives under one umbrella. These include RakanKKM (premium services in public hospitals with revenues reinvested), the Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful scheme (a voluntary option for middle-income families), the Diagnosis Related Groups model (a performance-based hospital payment system), and the National Health Fund (a pooled fund from taxation, levies and contributions). “Every ringgit collected will be ring-fenced and channelled back into strengthening our public health system. “Let me be clear. This is not privatisation. These reforms are about strengthening our public system because only the public system serves every Malaysian, in every corner of the country.” Turning to digitalisation, Dzulkefly said reforms are already showing results, with electronic medical records now used in 275 health clinics and 22 public hospitals. Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

IGP Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirmed that security measures were immediately reinforced at Petronas LNG sites nationwide. He said the employee who received the SMS had lodged a police report, enabling investigators to begin tracing the source of the threats. “Police, including contingents nationwide, are working to enhance security at all Petronas LNG facilities. We are ensuring that the situation remains under control,” he said during a blood donation campaign held in conjunction with the 218th Police Day celebration. Malaysia is one of the world’s top exporters of LNG. In 2023, it was ranked as the fifth-largest LNG exporter globally, after Russia, Qatar, Australia and the United States, with exports of about 26.75 million tonnes.

Malaysia’s LNG infrastructure. “He asked for an answer, but when no response was given, he threatened to burn our LNG, though it is unclear which facility he was referring to.” Fadillah said the government is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness as LNG installations are classified as critical national assets vital to both the economy and energy security. On Monday, the NSC said all facilities in Bintulu had been instructed to immediately tighten security. It said the directive was intended to allow security forces and relevant agencies to conduct swift investigations and ensure readiness in case the threats materialise. The council also reminded the public not to speculate on the matter, adding that official updates would be issued as the situation develops.

o Alert raised after Petronas employee gets alarming SMS warning gas facilities would be set on fire if demands not met

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

not met. “The threatening messages came from Indonesia, but who exactly was behind them is still under police investigation. As a precaution, the National Security Council (NSC) has ordered security to be strengthened at all LNG facilities in Bintulu and Sabah since the threats only referred to LNG in general.” Fadillah was speaking after launching the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security here yesterday. He said the individual had issued a demand, and when it was ignored threatened to attack

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has confirmed that Petronas’ liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Sarawak and Sabah have been placed under heightened security after receiving threatening messages from a phone number registered in Indonesia. The alert was raised when a Petronas employee at the company’s headquarters received an alarming SMS warning that LNG plants would be set on fire if demands made by the sender were

Anwar delivering the keynote address at the conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Good governance safeguard for financial market, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Good governance must be recognised as a strategic asset and a pillar of credibility in the financial market, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said good governance is a magnet for investments and a safeguard to ensure that progress is shared fairly. Anwar added that it is in this spirit that the Madani government has pursued wide-ranging reforms, including strengthening the mandate of the National Audit Department, led by the Auditor General, through the first amendment to the Audit Act in 33 years.

Anwar commended the Institute of Internal Auditors Malaysia for launching the Statement of Risk Management and Internal Control Guide 2025 with Bursa Malaysia, describing it as an important step. He said the guide provides firms with a blueprint to embed risk awareness, boost investor confidence and prepare for environmental, social, governance and other emerging risks. “The responsibility before us is great but the opportunity is greater still – to build institutions that earn trust at home, command respect abroad and leave a legacy of integrity for generations to come.” – Bernama

receiving public funds. “This ‘follow-the-public-money’ approach helps curb leakages and corruption. It ensures that every ringgit of the national budget is spent for its intended purpose.” Anwar said good governance is a central pillar of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) 2026–2030. He added that alongside policies to boost the economy and strengthen social protection, the 13MP makes clear that reforming the public service is crucial. He said the government could not achieve good governance by itself, and the support of the private sector and professional bodies is also vital.

“It may not have been a glamorous reform but it was an essential one.” He was speaking at the Asian Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditors Conference 2025. Anwar said the government also set up a serious irregularities committee to act swiftly on critical breaches, holding offenders accountable and protecting public funds. He said since 2024, follow-up audits had already recovered and safeguarded RM159 million. He added that new auditing guidelines extend the National Audit Department’s oversight to any entity