Dewan Rakyat News In Brief: Nov 25

RM1.7 MLN CHANNELLED TO FARMERS AFFECTED BY HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT

KUALA LUMPUR -- The government, through the Property and Crop Damage Compensation Assistance Initiative, has channelled RM1.7 million in compensation to farmers affected by wildlife attacks as of last September, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who is also the Acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister the government is working to create conditions for humans and wild animals to coexist.

“For instance, on the elephant issue, under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the government allocated RM52 million to instal electric fences to protect oil palm, rubber and other plantation areas,” he said during a question-and-answer session.

He was responding to a question on the status of compensation for farmers and livestock breeders in the Gerik parliamentary constituency whose crops and livestock were damaged by wildlife.

-- BERNAMA

PPTM 2025-2035 OUTLINES MEASURES TO NAVIGATE JOB MARKET TRANSITION - MUSTAPHA

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Malaysian Higher Education Plan (PPTM) 2025-2035 has set out preparatory measures to navigate the job market transition, during which many positions are expected to be frozen, said Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

He said the approach outlined in the plan would enhance graduates’ marketability in line with industry needs, potentially boosting employability in the country.

Mustapha said that, according to a study by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), some 250,000 positions are expected to be frozen, reflecting the dynamic changes in industry needs.

“This situation has, to some extent, contributed to the current decline in skilled employment rates. We hope that with the approaches outlined in the PPTM, we will be able to improve employability in the future,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said this in response to a supplementary question from Kamal Ashaari (PN-Kuala Krau), who asked about the factors behind the decline in skills-related employment among Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates to 35.7 per cent, down from 37.3 per cent in 2022.

-- BERNAMA

LTAT REVIEWING ASSET ALLOCATION FRAMEWORK TO BOOST INVESTMENT SUSTAINABILITY

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) is reviewing its strategic asset allocation framework as part of efforts to strengthen the long-term sustainability of its investment portfolio, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

He said the framework was also being scrutinised by the Ministry of Finance for final approval by the Finance Minister before it could be fully implemented through “Project EARTH”.

“Through Project EARTH, LTAT is also taking steps to reduce the loan amounts of subsidiaries such as Boustead Plantation, allowing it to free up funds to improve investment performance.

“Three subsidiaries of LTAT, namely Boustead Holdings Berhad, Pharma Niaga Berhad and Boustead Plantation Berhad, are currently undergoing a recovery process through operational strengthening under this plan,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-Ketereh) about the strategic measures taken to ensure that LTAT could pay dividends comparable to those in esteemed years such as 2017 and earlier periods.

-- BERNAMA