19/09/2025

FRIDAY | SEPT 19, 2025

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Do not impose full ban on foreign freelancers, govt urged

Bank offers relief for parties affected by floods and landslides in Sabah KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Rakyat is offering to defer installments for six months for individual and business customers affected by recent floods and landslides in several districts in Sabah. Bank Rakyat CEO Ahmad Shahril Mohd Shariff said the facility aims to ease the financial burden of customers and commitments during this challenging period. “The offer encompasses Personal Financing-i, Housing Financing-i, Vehicle Financing-i, Vehicle Hire Purchase-i, Education Financing-i, Micro Financing-i, Pawn Broking-I and Credit Card-i. “Bank Rakyat hopes this would provide some relief. This proactive measure also aligns with the value of care and compassion in the Malaysia Madani concept,“ he said in a statement. According to Bank Rakyat, affected customers may apply via email to bantuanbanjir@bankrakyat.com.my, providing their full name, identification card number, affected address, phone number for contact, type of financing and a copy of a utility bill to verify the customer’s address. Credit Card-i customers may send their applications to kkredit@bankrakyat.com.my while business customers may visit the nearest business banking centre for assistance. For more information, customers may visit www.bankrakyat.com.my, contact the call centre at 1300-800-800, visit the nearest branch or follow-up centre, or follow Bank Rakyat’s official social media presence for the latest updates. – Bernama Reconstruction of school to be finished in 2029: Minister SANDAKAN: The reconstruction of the dilapidated Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Putih Baru is expected to be completed by April 2029 under a two-phase partial completion plan, said Works Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. He said the project, worth about RM43.89 million, is proceeding according to schedule, with current progress at 1.5%, and Phase One, involving the design and construction of a new building as well as the demolition of the existing structure, is expected to be completed in 2028. “Phase Two, which involves upgrading three existing blocks, (will) begin in September 2028 and (is expected) to be completed in April 2029,” he told a press conference after inspecting the progress of the reconstruction project yesterday. Ahmad said the project involves rebuilding the administration building, an academic block with 18 classrooms, a preschool area and the canteen. He said under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the government allocated RM4.54 billion to implement 200 projects to reconstruct dilapidated schools in Sabah. He added that of the total, 99 projects have been completed, 68 are under construction and 33 are at the pre-construction stage. He also said the ministry would ensure infrastructure projects, including educational institutions in the state, are completed on schedule, comply with quality standards and maintain a zero-accident record at construction sites. – Bernama

o Lecturer calls for clear guidelines to ensure nation attracts high-value talent while protecting locals

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Fully banning foreign freelancers is neither realistic nor desirable in today’s digital economy, with experts urging Malaysia to adopt “smart regulation” that balances openness with protection for local talent. Universiti Teknologi Mara Economics and Financial Studies senior lecturer Dr Mohamad Idham Md Razak said Asean’s push for seamless mobility and digital trade makes rigid borders around freelance work outdated. He called instead for clear guidelines covering digital nomads, temporary contractors and remote workers, complete with proper visa categories and tax obligations, to ensure Malaysia attracts high-value talent while protecting locals. “Malaysia faces some risk of foreign freelancers competing in niche markets, such as graphic design, content creation and social media management. But this is an opportunity for local creatives to shine through specialisation and higher-quality work. “While some foreign freelancers may charge less, most clients, especially local businesses and government agencies, value cultural understanding, language, communication and reliability, which Malaysians excel at.” He added that the real challenge lies not in overseas competition, but in ensuring Malaysian talent is equipped to compete at the highest level. Recently, Singapore warned businesses against hiring foreign freelancers for creative services, saying it breaches employment laws and undermines local professionals. The Manpower Ministry and the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association stressed that companies cannot hire overseas freelancers for photography, videography, makeup or similar work. Foreigners on tourist or student visas are barred from offering paid services, and local firms face penalties for hiring them, after complaints that some had been working at weddings and undercutting locals with cheaper rates. Mohamad Idham said Singapore’s stance

Balakrishnan stressed that Malaysians must always be given first opportunity, ensuring local creatives could grow, compete and gain international recognition. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

systems, Malaysia could ensure fairness without adding unnecessary bureaucracy.” He added that foreign freelancers should be seen as signals of demand, driving Malaysia to formalise and protect gig workers in building a future-ready economy. “When local freelancers are recognised, fairly paid and supported with training, they could out-compete unregulated foreign providers, protecting Malaysian talent through empowerment, not exclusion.” Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Human Resource and Industrial Relations professor Dr Balakrishnan Parasuraman urged Malaysia to avoid a blanket ban like Singapore, favouring a case-by-case approach instead. He said foreign freelancers could be allowed only if there is a genuine shortage of expertise locally, for instance, in specialised film or makeup roles. He stressed that Malaysians, regardless of race or background, must always be given first opportunity, ensuring local creatives could grow, compete and gain international recognition. “Malaysia’s creative industry is producing quality work, from films to dramas and musicals. With the right support, local talent could reach global standards. “Foreign freelancers, if allowed, should complement rather than replace Malaysian talent, helping to raise the country’s creative profile on the world stage.”

highlights the need for clear and consistent rules on what freelance work is permitted. He added that Malaysia could learn from Singapore’s focus on transparency and predictable penalties, but warned against overly strict enforcement that might stifle beneficial global collaboration. “Malaysia could use Singapore’s experience to refine its digital tracking systems, improve public awareness of visa compliance and work with global platforms to flag suspicious long-term activity. “The goal is not to punish, but to provide clear pathways for locals and foreigners to contribute ethically to the economy.” He said Malaysia’s focus should be on empowering its freelancers through skill development, access to capital and stronger digital infrastructure, adding that instead of shutting out others, the aim should be to lift everyone up. He suggested tax incentives for businesses hiring certified Malaysian freelancers, national digital marketplaces to showcase homegrown talent and public procurement preferences for local creators. “Malaysia’s laws cover foreign work permits, but enforcement is weak as many freelancers operate on tourist visas or through online platforms. Smarter monitoring such as linking payment and immigration data to detect non-residents earning income would help. “With better coordination and tech-driven

Electricity supply channelled to Sabah east coast KOTA KINABALU: A total of 200 megawatts of electricity is being channelled from the west coast to the east coast of Sabah via the 275kv Kolopis-Segaliud transmission line, which resumed operations on Wednesday. is channelled to the Dam Road main entry substation, Lahad Datu, to meet the needs of Tawau Island.“ immediately implement the main distribution substation supply line in Tawau to address electricity issues in the district.

“We initially expected the restoration of electricity supply in Sabah’s east coast to take eight days, but it was completed within four. A million thanks to everyone involved,” he said, while expressing sadness over the recent passing of a friend and Sabah Electricity employee in the Keningau area. Last Saturday, Sabah’s east coast experienced a major supply disruption after two 275kV Kolopis–Segaliud transmission lines were cut off when a transmission tower collapsed following a landslide in Kampung Kolopis, Penampang.

He said Sabah Electricity is using two island operations, namely Sandakan Island and Tawau Island, to address electricity supply disruptions on the east coast of Sabah. “Tawau Island involves Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau while Sandakan Island involves Beluran, Kinabatangan and Sandakan.“ He said the restoration of electricity also resolved the water supply problem in Sandakan, which had been affected by the lack of power at the Segaliud Water Plant, Bernama reported. He added that Sabah Electricity would

Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Mohd Yaakob Jaafar said the transmission line was connected at 8.10pm after the installation of the Emergency Restoration System tower was completed. “From Kolopis-Segaliud, we are coordinating with Sandakan Island via the Seguntor main entry substation at the Sandakan Palm Oil Industry Cluster Port. “From Segaliud, Sandakan, electricity supply