KUCHING: An economist has called on the European Union (EU), industry leaders and consumers worldwide to recognise the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification Scheme (MSPO) as a major driver in sustainable and free trade policy. Centre for Market Education (CME) economist Carmelo Ferlito, made the call after Malaysia embarked on
KUCHING: In a significant shift towards legal reforms, Malaysia has decriminalised suicide attempts by passing the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023. This legislative change aims to grant Crisis Intervention Officers (CIOs) the authority to apprehend individuals with (or suspected to have) a mental disorder who pose a threat to themselves
I don’t make music for eyes, I make music for ears. – Adele, singer and songwriter IMAGINE this: your favourite international artist announces a concert tour to Malaysia. The air is filled with electric anticipation, the fans buzzing with excitement at the possibility of finally seeing their idols in the
KUCHING: The government should consider market prices at the pump for everyone, and distribute fuel vouchers to the lower-income segments. Centre for Market Education (CME) economist Carmelo Ferlito said this would allow beneficiaries in need of the subsidy to monetise by selling excess vouchers to those who need them more.
“Public opinion always wants easy money, that is, low interest rates” – Ludwig von Mises, Austrian economist, 1881-1973 I HAVE always had a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to subsidies. It’s a view that’s widely known among us in the field. But let me tell you what really
KAPIT: A unique community programme designed to bolster malaria awareness was held at Rumah Panjang Manok Manchal, Sg Yong, recently. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Malaria Research Centre (MRC) director, Dr. Paul Cliff Simon Divis said this initiative was designed to engage participants of all ages and teach them about the
KUCHING: The Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) hike will not lead to bankruptcy for businesses and individuals with a sound financial position and a manageable debt level.Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) economist Jerome Kueh said the recent OPR hike from 2.75 per cent to 3.00 per cent will have some effect on
KUCHING: Extending maternity leave from 60 to 98 days is a positive step for women but it is important to evaluate its impact to avoid unintended consequences, such as reducing women’s hireability. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) economist Irma Yazreen Md Yusoff said the initiative is a great first step towards
Economics is haunted by more fallacies than any other study known to man – Henry Hazlitt, American economist, 1894-1993 In this week’s column, we continue the discussion from last week’s piece, where I shared my insights on how economists can change the game. This perspective emerged as we delved into
KUCHING: Economists are urging the state government to study and identify poverty levels based on location to ensure a more comprehensive and effective approach to addressing the issue. Pro Vice Chancellor of I-CATS University College and economist Shazali Abu Mansor emphasised the need for specific data on impoverished areas and