Brief Summary
This episode of "Kena Soal" features Shahril Hamdan and KJ discussing various topics related to Malaysia's economy and future. They answer questions submitted by viewers on topics such as Petronas' rightsizing, government efficiency, nuclear energy, the Malaysian ringgit, political financing, subsidies, and Malaysia's space program. The episode highlights the importance of automation and artificial intelligence, the need for a more efficient government, and the potential of nuclear energy and private sector involvement in space exploration.
- Key takeaways include the need for a more efficient government, the potential of nuclear energy, and the importance of private sector involvement in space exploration.
- The episode also discusses the challenges of implementing targeted subsidies and the need for a more transparent political financing system.
Petronas Rightsizing
Shahril and KJ discuss the impact of Petronas' rightsizing on the Malaysian economy. They explain that Petronas has been facing pressure from declining profit margins, increasing technical and geopolitical risks, and the energy transition towards renewables. They also highlight that other major oil companies are also undergoing similar rightsizing processes due to automation and artificial intelligence.
DOGE and Government Efficiency
The discussion shifts to the concept of a "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), inspired by the US entity established by President Donald Trump. KJ argues that Malaysia needs to restructure its government, but without firing civil servants. He suggests a roadmap for redeploying and retraining civil servants to focus on tasks that are essential for the future. Shahril emphasizes the need for a clear target for the size of the civil service and the importance of updating regulations to facilitate automation.
Nuclear Energy
KJ, who previously served as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, shares his perspective on nuclear energy. He acknowledges the safety concerns associated with nuclear power but argues that it is a clean and efficient energy source. He discusses the potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to traditional nuclear power plants. He also highlights the need to address the issue of radioactive waste disposal and the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) problem.
Malaysian Ringgit Performance
Shahril and KJ discuss the Malaysian ringgit's performance and its relationship to the economy. They challenge the assumption that a strong ringgit automatically translates to a strong economy. They explain that a depreciated ringgit can actually benefit exports, while a strong ringgit can make exports more expensive. They also discuss various factors that influence the exchange rate, including monetary policy, the US dollar's reserve currency status, and trade tariffs.
Political Financing
The discussion turns to political financing in Malaysia. KJ highlights the lack of a law regulating political party funding and the need for greater transparency. He discusses the merits of a political financing bill, including setting limits on donations, requiring transparency in both inflow and outflow of funds, and establishing a mechanism to prevent retaliation against donors.
Subsidies
Shahril and KJ discuss the challenges of implementing targeted subsidies, particularly for RON95 petrol. They acknowledge the limitations of using existing data from the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) due to noise and inconsistencies in the data. They support the government's efforts to create a centralized data system (PADU) but emphasize the need for clarity and simplicity in the implementation process.
Malaysia's Space Program
The episode concludes with a discussion on Malaysia's space program. KJ highlights the importance of achieving satellite and remote sensing sovereignty and the need for private sector involvement. He praises the launch of UzmaSAT-1, the first commercial Earth Observation Satellite in Malaysia, and emphasizes the numerous applications of Earth Observation Satellites in various sectors. He also encourages Malaysians to explore the National Space Policy and Action Plan.
