09/04/2026

THURSDAY | APR 9, 2026

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Govt to address construction costs KUCHING: The federal government is reviewing all proposals and recommendations to address rising construction material costs following tensions in West Asia, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said. He added that the ministry met with contractor associations last week to gather their feedback on current industry conditions, particularly the surge in material prices. He also said while supply remains sufficient, higher transportation costs have driven up prices. “We have listened to all views and will study their recommendations and proposals. The issue also involves the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry,” he told reporters after visiting the Construction Industry Development Board Sarawak office yesterday. Among the recommendations put forward by contractors are extensions of time for affected projects, price controls on materials and diesel subsidies. – Bernama She said the move is also in line with the aspirations of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026-2035. – Bernama Plan to manage unity-related issues PUTRAJAYA: The National Unity Ministry will develop a comprehensive, integrated and data-driven action plan to manage and monitor hate-related issues and emerging developments that could threaten national harmony and public wellbeing, as part of efforts to strengthen the National Unity Integration Research and Training Institute. Its minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the data-driven approach is crucial to ensure that unity-related issues are managed in a more systematic, responsive and effective manner amid increasingly complex social challenges. “In line with the aspirations of the 13th Malaysia Plan, (the institute) will be upgraded to a Centre of Excellence for Unity, serving as a key catalyst in strengthening the national unity ecosystem in a holistic and sustainable manner,” he said in a statement yesterday. He added that the government would also establish a high-impact research centre focusing on studies related to national unity, inter-ethnic relations, as well as analysis of hate-based narratives and statements in Malaysia. He also said the role of the institute would be strengthened as a strategic reference centre with the capability to provide input, data analysis and policy insights on unity. – Bernama Assistants appointed for student safety PUTRAJAYA: A total of 300 MyStep hostel warden assistants have been appointed and deployed to boarding schools nationwide to enhance student safety and ease teachers’ workload. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the personnel would assist wardens, particularly in night-time supervision, to ensure the safety, welfare and wellbeing of boarding students are continuously strengthened. “The implementation of the initiative will be further expanded as part of efforts aligned with the safety reform agenda across all educational institutions under the Education Ministry.”

Media stalwart recounts interactions with previous PMs

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Former editor-in-chief speaks to theSun about leadership and decision-making styles

he said, adding that while Mahathir had aides, ultimate control of messaging remained firmly with him. He added that the turning point came under the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. “That was when the prime minister began to loosen control of communication. “He was surrounded by informal advisers who began shaping narratives and access,” Kadir said, referring to the growing influence of close associates, including family members and media-linked figures. He said the diffusion of authority escalated during the administration of Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak. “Najib expanded the circle even further, bringing in external consultants, including foreigners, to manage communications. At the same time, editors were co-opted into the system. That blurred the lines between government messaging and media independence.” The former New Straits Times editor-in-chief opined such practices affected institutional clarity and made leadership appear less decisive. “When too many actors are involved, the prime minister’s voice is diluted. Control becomes fragmented.“ On the current administration led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he said the situation reflects both structural challenges and personal leadership style. “Anwar is unlike previous prime ministers. His approach to communication is different.” While acknowledging that Anwar remains an active communicator, Kadir suggested there is room for improvement in consolidating messaging. “When you try to do too many things at once, communication could lose focus. “The challenge is to maintain clarity and authority while engaging a broader audience.”

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s early prime ministers, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, ran a disciplined and centralised government. A veteran journalist claimed that since his departure in 2003, that clarity has diminished, with decision-making and communication increasingly spread across advisers, officials and external actors. National journalism laureate Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said earlier leaders exercised tighter control over both decision-making and communication channels, ensuring clarity in governance and messaging. “In the earlier era, the line of communication was very simple.

began to shift during Razak’s tenure, when external actors, whom he described as “kaki kacau”, started exerting influence. However, he added that Tun Hussein Onn later restored a more disciplined system, albeit with tighter control over media access. “Tun Hussein minimised direct engagement with editors. Everything was filtered through his press secretary.” Kadir said Mahathir was a unique case. “He was effectively his own press secretary, a communicator who did not rely heavily on intermediaries,”

The prime minister either conveyed instructions directly or through a press secretary. That was the chain of command,” he told theSun . He highlighted Malaysia’s early leaders, including Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, as examples of administrations in which authority was clearly centralised. “If you could not reach the prime minister, you went through the press secretary. At most, there was a political secretary on the periphery, but the source of authority remained clear.” He added that the structure

Kadir highlighted Malaysia’s early leaders, including Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, as examples of prime ministers with administrations in which authority was clearly centralised. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Armed Forces expanding role of women as leaders KUALA LUMPUR: The Armed Forces is expanding the role of women in military leadership, particularly in command and staff appointments to strengthen operational readiness through a more inclusive approach. Armed Forces Headquarters chief of staff Lt Jen Datuk Seri Muhammad Huzaimi Sabri said greater female representation in key decision making roles is essential, moving beyond traditional placements in administrative and medical services. “There is a concerted effort to increase the percentage of female officers in ‘command and staff’ roles. “The shift moves women beyond administrative and medical functions into strategic areas such as combat support and intelligence,”he said when officiating at the Armed Forces International Symposium 2026 event yesterday. He added that the growing involvement of women reflects the Armed Forces’ broader effort to enhance capability, strengthen leadership and sustain operational effectiveness. He also said Malaysia’s peacekeeping contributions remain a key component of its Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, with the country deploying one of the largest contingents of female peacekeepers under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Muhammad Huzaimi said WPS principles are increasingly applied in addressing both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including military operations other than war, in which female personnel are playing greater roles in civil-military cooperation teams engaging local communities. He added that in cyber defence, the Armed Forces’ Cyber and Electromagnetic Command is actively recruiting and promoting female technical experts to strengthen operational capabilities. “When WPS is effectively integrated, it improves the understanding of operating zones, enhances engagement with communities and strengthens the credibility of our presence in both domestic and international missions.” He also said the WPS agenda has evolved into a core operational requirement, in line with the needs of a modern and professional force. “This is not about changing what we stand for, but strengthening how we deliver.” The two-day symposium, themed “Enhancing Operational Readiness Through Inclusive Leadership: Advancing WPS in Defence and Security,” began yesterday with more than 200 participants. It brings together senior military officers, policy advisers, academics and Women, Peace and Security experts from Malaysia and abroad, including Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan and Asean countries. The event serves as a platform to boost dialogue on advancing WPS principles. – Bernama