New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reacts following the announcement of her resignation at the War Memorial Hall in Napier, New Zealand, on Jan. 19. (Reuters/AAP Image/Ben McLay)
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern won the hearts of Muslims across the globe when she, wearing a headscarf, comforted the families of victims of the massacre in two mosques by a white supremacist in Christchurch in 2019. Last Thursday, she again astonished an even larger audience with her abrupt resignation, although she stands a great chance to win the upcoming election in October.
The mother of four-year-old Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford has undoubtedly made a name for herself as an icon of statesmanship. She has played a role model of a leader who not only does her best for her nation, but also knows when to fade away to ensure a sustainable succession. She could have sought a third term, but she shows she is not hungry for power.
"The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It's that simple," the 42-year-old politician said of her reason to step down.
With a population of 5 million, New Zealand is a tiny nation. But its economic size ranks the country among the world’s richest. The country is a permanent dialogue partner of ASEAN along with the United States, China, the European Union, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Russia and India. Unlike close neighbor Australia, which acts as the deputy sheriff of the US, New Zealand has distanced itself from the rivalry of major powers.
Through her exemplary decision, Ardern has taught politicians, male and female, a lesson that they should be ready to leave office when the public do not want them anymore, or else the people will force them to go. Some leaders are willing to step down but prepare their own men or children as successors, but this is clearly not the case in New Zealand under Ardern.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo may have to ask his die-hard supporters who have been pushing for his term extension to reflect on Ardern’s bold decision. To prevent rampant abuse of power, which was rampant during the New Order authoritarian rule, the Constitution was amended in 1999 to limit presidential tenure to only twice.
In fact, Indonesian political culture knows no resignation. Politicians or officials tend to cling on power as long as possible by justifying all means.
Ardern won the Labor Party leadership shortly before she won the 2017 election. Her party further won the 2020 election. At that time she was facing at least three major challenges which she could overcome: The 2019 shooting spree of Muslims, the COVID-19 pandemic and the eruption of the White Island Volcano. Her strict lockdown policy to contain the COVID-19 transmission was much criticized, but later she proved she was right and her critics wrong.
The Labor Party elected Education Minister Chris Hipkins as Ardern’s successor on Sunday. The party hopes Ardern’s graceful exit will help it win the October election.
The world loves to see her as a true mother of New Zealand. Her ability to simultaneously perform her state and personal responsibilities, as a mother and wife, inspired and was looked up to by women all over the world. From the beginning, she has proven that women can break the glass ceiling when it comes to the highest office, which in advanced democracies like the US has not yet happened.
She has taught a precious lesson to world leaders that they should know when to call it quits. A true leader will not wait until his or her people force them to go. And we all owe it to Ardern’s beautiful mind.
The 3D anatomy and virtual dissection table help build stronger anatomy knowledge aside from cadaveric dissection.
Students actually have multiple pathways - they can choose to remain in practice, advance into research, go into corporate organisations by becoming a hospital manager or administrator, become an occupational health specialist or choose to serve the community by being in public health.
Qualifying with an MBBS is merely the first step as it is no longer a fixed road to being a practicing clinician.
The practitioner
With the growing population, the doctor practitioner is still much needed in all sectors of society. While the hours may seem long and un-family friendly, it comes back to the individual. As the saying goes, “do what you love, and you would never feel as if you’ve worked a day!”
.Professor demonstrating a procedure to students during Obstetrics and Gynaecology class.
In a future where technology dictates, those skills that are distinctly human will be among the most valuable and it is these skills that are enriched through postgraduate study. Considering how vital this is, Manipal University College Malaysia organises workshops for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) and various Royal College Fellowship/Membership exam prep courses at its campus in Melaka, so students can prepare for them before graduation with minimal travel involved from their on-going routine.
The researcher
For the doctor who is constantly intrigued by how things start and how things can be resolved or diseases cured, becoming a researcher would be a good choice. As the world shrinks with ease of travel, so looms larger the threat of infectious diseases. Research work is also more structured today, whereby evidence collected is based on a cross-section of causes. With the advent of the systematic review, the physician research is now part of a larger multidisciplinary team.
The community advisor
If it has always been your dream to treat communities, the role of a doctor as a community advisor by way of being in public health would then be the right path. Strong love of medicine coupled with mathematics and statistics are the core ingredients to excel in this pathway. By being able to read into trends and form analytical solutions, a public health physician would be better able to formulate strategic preventive measures.
The right place to do your MBBS
MUCM’s resort style campus provides students with an environment that is conducive for learning.MUCM’s resort style campus provides students with an environment that is conducive for learning.
With over three dozen medical schools in Malaysia to choose from, Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM), formerly known as Melaka-Manipal Medical College is miles ahead as a top medical school.
Students strolling along swimming pool after class.
The name Manipal has resonated with the Malaysian healthcare system for the past 68 years with thousands of medical doctors graduating from Manipal in India and over the last 25 years from Manipal University College Malaysia (formerly known Melaka-Manipal Medical College) in Melaka. The contribution from the graduates to the healthcare services is time tested within the country with many others creating a mark in the US, UK and Australia.
Students are guided to find their true paths before graduation, being continuously exposed to the real lives of doctors, researchers and public health individuals through the college’s annual postgraduate fair and monthly seminars and exhibitions.
Fulfil your dream with Manipal
The pursuit of medicine is a marathon, not a sprint. As such, parents and students are invited to visit Manipal University College Malaysia and experience for themselves life as a future Manipalite.
*For more details on the programme, call 1700 811 662 or visit www.manipal.edu.my
New Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been welcomed by many like a breath of fresh air. But can he cleanse the nation of the many ills it now suffers? It remains to be seen.
MY retired brother called from Penang the other day. He had yet to get his pension and needed some cash. Why? I asked. “Anwar has won and I want to celebrate with my friends,” he cheered. He is just one of many who are anamoured of our new Prime Minister.
There is also this man in Bukit Mertajam, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s hometown, who is buying everyone meals at restaurants around town.
Elsewhere, a large non-Muslim crowd gathered outside a mosque as Anwar prayed inside. And they mobbed him when he came out. Everywhere he goes, the PM is being cheered.
He’s probably the most welcomed Malaysian chief executive in living memory. It’s all quite exciting, but I think the celebrations are also a bit premature.
Yes, it has been a long wait for him, his supporters and those who have been rooting for him all these years. He has been the underdog, facing failure after failure, falling every time he believed he had reached the pinnacle.
It’s the kind of story that would touch any heart.
But it’s only the beginning. Now is not the time to put him on a pedestal. He has much to prove, and he could fall off that high horse any time, just as the last three prime ministers did.
The plotting is going on. Those who do not like the idea of him being PM will do their best to bring about his downfall.
It happened before in 2020 with the Sheraton Move; and even days after Anwar’s appointment, there was talk of a Tropicana Move.
That has been denied, but his performance will be under intense scrutiny. There will be little room for relaxation.
His first task just got done. He has named his full Cabinet, obviously done with much juggling, putting together a unity government that will keep everyone happy and yet meet his promise of a small Cabinet.
If that was hard, the really herculean task awaits now.
There is so much wrong with our country now – an economy in the doldrums, a ringgit that’s floundering, an education system that’s well off the mark, and a population that’s deeply divided.
There’s so much to do – or undo.
I say undo because Anwar himself may be responsible for some of those maladies. He was once Education Minister – way back in 1986 – and started a revolution in the system.
He is the man credited with Islamisation of our schools, and the growth of religious schools, while working with then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Those actions have come back to bite him, say analysts. Two weeks ago, his daughter lost the Permatang Pauh seat, held by members of his family since 1980, to a tahfiz teacher.
Anwar, and his Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), were the driving force behind such schools.
The children in many of these schools are being taught to only vote for a certain party, and with Undi18 now law, there was a flood of such voters, the analysts say.
With the mushrooming of religious schools, the days when children of all races laughed, played and mixed in schools seem to be long gone.
Now, schools are divisive. Even the syllabus has been questioned with Malays themselves asking why there are so many religious classes and too few teaching modern-day living skills like English, science and technology, computer know-how and things like that.
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The Chinese and Indians are flocking to vernacular schools, leaving the national school system largely to the majority Malays. So many Malays are also migrating to these vernacular schools.
Already, there is a call for one stream of education for all. I think it’s too early for that too. We first need to make the national school system the one of choice. For that, a good Education Minister is needed, as is a revamp of the school syllabus. Fadhlina Sidek and Datuk Seri Khaled Noordin have a lot to do.
We have heard the perennial complaints – discrimination in matriculation places, the closure of canteens during Ramadan, children forced to eat in the toilet and odd corners, non-Muslim children being left to their own devices during agama classes ... the list is long.
Public universities too need to be places where a Malaysian identity can be forged, not where differences are reinforced.
A National Unity Minister who sincerely believes in his job could be a big help. Aaron Ago Dagang, a man from Sarawak, could be the right choice.
There is a lot we can learn from the Borneo states, which have retained much of the old-world charm that places like George Town, Klang, Johor and even Kuala Lumpur once had; the days when Chinese coffee shops housed nasi kandar stalls and people of all races sat together at the same table, eating and drinking together.
Even my mee jawa man had prawn and beef broth for his different clientele, each with a different wok.
Then there’s the minister for Religion. We have all heard about the one from Indonesia; his mantra is that he is a minister for all religions – Islam, Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism.
It was not so the last time for the minister in Malaysia. He believed his job was only to cater to the religion of the federation.
What we need is a minister who looks at the similarities among religions, all of which preach peace and unity, not one who considers his religion superior and therefore untenable with the others.The Rulers have got it right. They have called for an end to all extremism, religious or racist, and for unity to be the main consideration. It is important that the government works towards bringing the bitterness to an end.
“I hope there are no more leaders who will raise racial or religious issues to provoke the people,” said Negri Sembilan’s Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir.
They also want the Rukun Negara, whose first tenet is “Belief in God”. It does not say which religion. The supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law are also important.
Now, it is up to the new PM. He has his job cut out for him. The honeymoon with the voters and adulation of the supporters will be over real soon.
The work – and it’s a lot of hard work – will have to begin. The pitfalls and booby traps are many. His supporters have faith that he will make it.
Five years from now – if Anwar succeeds as a unifying PM – we can celebrate as a nation. For now, though, I am holding that champagne, or non-alcoholic beer as the case may be.
Anwar says he took Finance Ministry to bring new policies
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who appointed himself Finance Minister in his new Cabinet, is hoping to
restore economic confidence through new policy approaches.
“I was not inclined (to take on the post), but I want to embark on new policy approaches and restore economic confidence among local traders as well as foreign investors.
“I
will be assisted by a strong team that isn’t only civil servants, but also a group of advisers who will not burden the government’s coffers,”
he said in announcing his Cabinet at Perdana Putra here yesterday.
In the follow-up press conference, Anwar said the Finance Ministry will be
assisted by several advisers led by former PETRONAS president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the new Cabinet members will be sworn in at 3pm today.
“I
will have a special meeting with the ministers so I can convey several matters to them, such as new rules, direction, and new methods,” he
said.
Anwar said ministers should begin their duties soon and he advised them to avoid wastage, bribes and power abuse.
“I have made it clear to the Cabinet that the unity government prioritises good governance and the need to reduce the people’s burden, as well as stimulating the economy,” he said.
The Prime Minister said his Cabinet, which comprises 28 ministers, is a clear signal to the people that the unity government, together with the civil service, will ensure its promises to the people are fulfilled.
The last prime minister who also served as a finance minister was Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Anwar had served as finance minister and deputy prime minister to then
premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad before being sacked in 1998.
PETALING JAYA: The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of Bank Negara has increased the overnight policy rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 2.25% amid positive growth prospects for the local economy.
“For the Malaysian economy, economic activity continued to strengthen in recent months.
“Exports and retail spending indicators affirm the positive growth momentum, supported by the transition to endemicity, “ the central bank said in a statement yesterday.
The ceiling and floor rates of the corridor of the OPR are correspondingly increased to 2.5% and 2%, respectively.
The OPR, which is a benchmark rate that allows banks to determine their lending and deposit rates, had been reduced by a cumulative 125 basis points during the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing it to a historic low of 1.75%.
Yesterday’s increase was a second consecutive one after a 25-basis-point hike in May, which was also the first time the OPR was raised since the onset of the pandemic.
OCBC Bank economist Wellian Wiranto said the fact that the central bank had not gone more “ballistic” with a 50-basis-point hike yesterday speaks of a “heavy preference for a gingerly approach in tightening.”
“That is a prudent thing, given how global recession fears are on the rise,” he said.
Going forward, he said he expects at least one more 25-basis-point hike this year that will be seen as a further normalisation of policy rate rather than outright tightening.
“It might then pause in the last meeting of the year in November to assess the balance between inflation and recession risks before undertaking any action thereafter,“ he added.
In its statement, the central bank said the extent of upward pressures on inflation will remain partly contained by existing price controls, fuel subsidies and the continued spare capacity in the economy.
“The inflation outlook continues to be subject to global commodity price developments, arising mainly from the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine and prolonged supply- related disruptions, as well as domestic policy measures,“ it said.
Year-to-date, headline inflation averaged 2.4%.
.In its statement, the central bank said the extent of upward pressures on inflation will remain partly contained by existing price controls, fuel subsidies and the continued spare capacity in the economy.
“While it is projected to remain within the 2.2%-3.2% forecast range for the year, headline inflation may be higher in some months due mainly to the base effect from electricity prices.
“Underlying inflation, as measured by core inflation, is expected to average between 2% and 3% in 2022, as demand continues to improve amid the high-cost environment,” it said.
Bank Negara said that in recent months, the unemployment rate had declined further, with higher labour participation and improving income prospects.
“Looking ahead, while external demand is expected to moderate, weighed by headwinds to global growth, economic growth will be supported by firm domestic demand.
“Additionally, the reopening of international borders since April 1 would facilitate the recovery in tourism-related sectors.”
Nevertheless, the central bank warned of downside risks to growth that continue to stem from a weaker-than-expected global expansion, further escalation of geopolitical conflicts and worsening supply chain disruptions.
“Even as it continues to project a strengthening economic recovery, things are likely to turn less rosy from here,” OCBC’s Wiranto said.
Bank Negara said that at the current OPR level, the stance of monetary policy remained accommodative and supportive of economic growth.
“The MPC will continue to assess evolving conditions and their implications on the overall outlook to domestic inflation and growth.
Rakuten Trade head of equity sales Vincent Lau told StarBiz yesterday’s hike was a reflection of confidence in the continued growth of the Malaysia economy.
“Any adjustments to the monetary policy settings, going forward, would be done in a measured and gradual manner, ensuring that monetary policy remains accommodative to support a sustainable economic growth in an environment of price stability.”
Meanwhile, Rakuten Trade head of equity sales Vincent Lau told StarBiz yesterday’s hike was a reflection of confidence in the continued growth of the Malaysian economy.
“With the increase in our benchmark rate, this may also stem the outflow of foreign money, which will technically see higher returns alongside the higher rate,” he said.
That said, the stock market fell over 20 points at the close yesterday after the hike was announced.
“It was probably a knee-jerk reaction as the hike had more or less been priced in already,” Lau said.
Bursa Malaysia’s fall was also in line with most regional markets as the fear of a global recession continued to rear its ugly head.
Nevertheless, at the close of the market yesterday, lenders like Malayan Banking Bhd and CIMB Group Holdings Bhdfinished higher as investors bought the stocks, banking on a higher OPR that could likely boost the lenders’ earnings.
One thing is clear, whilst the quantity of educated manpower is critical to national strength, quality may matter more.
Parents quarrel about the quality of education for their kids, just as societies are deeply divided on education as it defines the future.
Is the current education system fit for purpose to cope with a more complex, fractious future, fraught with possible war?
According to Stanford University’s Guide to Reimagining Higher Education, 96% of university chief academic officers think that their students are ready for the workforce, where only 11% of business leaders feel the same.
As the population and work force grow, the gap between skills demanded by employers and the education received by school leavers is widening, so much so that many are finding it hard to get the jobs that they want.
As technology accelerates in speed and complexity, the quality of education becomes more important than ever. Is it for the elites or the masses?
The Greek philosopher Aristotle recognised that the aim of education is for knowledge, but there was always a different view as to have knowledge for the individual or whether education must prepare the individual to fulfil the needs of society.
Feudal systems hardly paid attention to the masses, whereas most ancient institutes of higher learning were for elites, either for religious orders or in Chinese history, to prepare for civil or military service, but blended with self-cultivation.
Conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute (AEI) has just produced a fascinating study on the implications of higher education for national security.
Covering the period 1950-2040, the study acknowledged that the United States attained uncontested power status, because it had the highest levels of educational attainment and manpower.
In 1950, the United States, with less than 5% of the world’s population, had 45% share of world population aged 25 to 64 with completed tertiary education.In comparison, India had 5% and China about half of that.By 2020, the United States’ share had dropped to roughly 16%, whereas China was catching up, whilst India had just under 10%.By 2040, depending on different estimates, China may double its share to between 15% and 20%, whereas India would have overtaken the United States with 12%, leaving the United States third with 10%.
It is a truism that education matters for economic growth and power.Every additional year of schooling for children is estimated to add 9% to 10% increase in per capita output.
If you add in “business climate” with improvements in education, health and urbanisation, these factors explain five-sixths of differences in output per capita across countries.
Under the liberal world order, America encouraged the spread of global education, so much so that the global adult illiteracy (those without any schooling) fell from 45% in 1950 to only 13% by 2020.
This worldwide expansion in education was good for the world, but it also reduced the comparative advantage of the education and technology front-runners, particularly the United States.
The AEI study reported that the share of global adult population with at least some tertiary education increased from under 2% in 1950 to 16% today and would approach 22% by 2040.
In 1950, eight of the top 10 largest national highly educated working age labour pool was in advanced countries. By 2020, their share was half.
By 2040, this is likely to be only three out of 10.
In essence, India and China would take the lead in total highly trained manpower, especially in science and technology, with the United States “an increasingly distant third place contestant.”
The AEI study illustrates why increasingly American universities will be more selective in their future foreign student intake, especially in science and technology which may have impact on national security matters.
As late as 2017, MIT manifested global ambitions in its strategic plan, “Learning about the world, helping to solve the world’s greatest problems, and working with international collaborators who share our curiosity and commitment to rigorous scientific inquiry.”
That global vision may be cut back in light of the growing geopolitical split into military blocs. Western universities may no longer be encouraged to train foreign students into areas where they can return to compete in key technologies.
In short, geopolitical rivalry will determine the future of resources allocated to education, research and development and technology.
No country can afford liberal education in which every student is encouraged to do what he or she wants to do.
Students today want to be more engaged in the big social issues, such as climate change and social inequality.
But at the same time, they expect more experiential immersion into careers that are more self-fulfilling.
Instead, institutes of higher learning are forced by economics to provide more shorter term courses to upgrade worker skills, using new teaching methods and tools, especially artificial intelligence, virtual reality etc.
At the national level, governments will push universities into more research and development and innovation to gain national competitiveness, including R&D on defence and national security sectors.This means that the education pipeline or supply chain will also be bifurcated like global supply chains that are being disrupted and split by geopolitics.
The conversation on what should go into the curriculum for education is only just beginning. Much of this is to do with funding.
As higher levels of education are more expensive, especially in the high technology area, whilst governments budgets are constrained, universities will turn to private sources of funding.
The more society polarises, the more likely that such funding would turn towards entrenchment of vested interests, rather than solutions to structural problems.
Education is controversial precisely because it is either a unifying social force or a divisive one.
One thing is clear, whilst the quantity of educated manpower is critical to national strength, quality may matter more.
The Soviet Union had the second largest share of educated manpower during the Cold War, but it did not save it from collapse.
Will our future education system provide leaders who are able to cope with the complexities of tomorrow?
As the poet T S Eliot asked in his poem “The Rock” in 1934, “where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?”
That question is being asked not just in universities, but by society as a whole.
Andrew Sheng writes on global issues from an Asian perspective. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
Parent groups are not too keen with the revised ruling allowing unvaccinated teachers to return to teaching students face to face in schools.
Saying that these teachers are more susceptible to Covid-19 infections, they suggested that these teachers be given voluntary separation scheme or early retirement.
Previously, unvaccinated teachers could not teach face to face but had to be present in school for other duties.
Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said this would put students and other teachers at risk.
“The ministry could consider giving unvaccinated teachers voluntary separation scheme or alternatively, teachers who cite health reasons for not getting their vaccinations could opt to retire early.
“The profession requires teachers to be fit. There are many steps to climb, books to carry and long teaching hours, for example.
“So if teachers have cited health reasons for not getting their vaccinations, the ministry could consider these options,” she said.
With students spending two years studying online, Noor Azimah said they want to return to schools and parents must ensure their children are fit and are eating healthily.
Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin said unvaccinated teachers should not be allowed to teach face to face and action should be taken against them.
“These are teachers who did not follow the ministry’s directives, so backtracking on this ruling will set a precedent for the future.
“For teachers who were advised against being vaccinated due to health reasons by their doctors, (this is) fair but they should, at the very least, be transferred to remote schools where there aren’t many students around them as a safety precaution,” he said, adding that an alternative would be to transfer them to district education offices for administrative work.
Mak also said students have lost out a lot from online classes such as face-to-face interactions and participating in sports and co-curricular activities.
“It’s high time they went back to school like before while adhering to standard operating procedures,” he added.
Separately, the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Wang Heng Suan said the union welcomes the new ruling.
The NUTP, he said, had received feedback that vaccinated teachers are overburdened with their unvaccinated colleagues’ work as these teachers were not allowed to teach face to face before this.
“There were also cases of unvaccinated teachers being humiliated due to their vaccination status, which is unfair.
“So we welcome the minister’s announcement because we cannot stop teachers from teaching,” he said, adding that there are not many unvaccinated teachers in the country.
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