Brief Summary
In this episode of Keluar Sekejap, KJ and Shahril discuss a range of topics including the PKR election, the ban on vape sales, a controversial AI project involving Huawei, Petronas' legal disputes with Sarawak, a proposal to extend the retirement age, the LIMA'25 exhibition, the ASEAN summit, and a shift in Western attitudes towards Palestine. They also highlight MyData SSM, a service for verifying corporate data, and its various applications.
- PKR internal election and call for unity.
- Vape sales ban and state-level actions.
- Controversial AI project with Huawei chips.
- Petronas and Sarawak legal disputes.
- Proposal to extend retirement age to 65.
- LIMA'25 exhibition and defense procurement.
- ASEAN summit and traffic disruptions.
- Shift in Western attitudes towards Palestine.
Intro
KJ and Shahril introduce episode 155 of Keluar Sekejap, mentioning a personal anecdote about a late-night European final that ended in disappointment. They then introduce MyData SSM, an online platform that provides verified corporate and business data from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). They emphasize the importance of using MyData SSM to avoid scams and conduct background checks on potential business partners.
Pemilihan PKR
KJ and Shahril briefly discuss the PKR election, expressing hope for unity among the candidates. They acknowledge the difficulty of maintaining unity during elections, drawing from their own experiences. They emphasize that both main candidates for Deputy President are national assets and hope that whoever is not successful will not abandon the struggle.
Pengharaman Vape - AKTA 852
The discussion shifts to the issue of vape sales and the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act, Act 852 of 2024. KJ explains that while the act has been enforced, it has not been fully implemented due to an education phase. He recalls his time at the Ministry of Health, where he made the decision to regulate vapes rather than ban them outright, considering the economic impact and potential for harm reduction. Several states have decided to completely ban the sale of vape products, leading to adjustments from vape industry players.
Projek AI Huawei Tidak Diiktiraf Kerajaan
KJ and Shahril discuss a faux pas made by the Deputy Minister of Communications, who announced that Malaysia would create a sovereign Large Language Model (LLM) using Huawei chips. This statement was inaccurate, as Huawei stated they had no government-to-government agreement. The announcement risked geopolitical implications and was beyond the Deputy Minister's understanding, placing Malaysia in the middle of intense geo-technological competition. MITI issued a statement clarifying that the initiative was private.
Kenyataan Petronas - Petros
The conversation moves to the legal dispute between Petronas and the Sarawak Government, stemming from Petros taking over as the gas aggregator in Sarawak. A joint statement was finalized after a meeting between the Prime Minister and the Premier of Sarawak, but details remain unclear. Shahril notes that the Sarawak State Government's statement omitted mention of the Petroleum Development Act (PDA), emphasizing the DGO (ordinance that makes Sarawak the gas aggregator). The standing of the PDA is shifting, with Putrajaya seeming to concede its hierarchical relationship with the DGO.
Cadangan Lanjutkan Usia Pencen ke 65 Tahun
KJ and Shahril discuss the proposal from the Minister of Law and Institutional Reform to raise the mandatory retirement age for civil servants from 60 to 65. While older people may welcome this, younger generations worry about the ceiling getting further away. Shahril notes that Malaysia is an aging society with increased life expectancy, making this a relevant policy issue. KJ presents three views against the proposal: the impact on organizational dynamism, the health of those aged 60 to 65, and the increased pension burden.
LIMA'25
The discussion shifts to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA). They invite Mr. Marhalim Abbas, a defense journalist, to share his insights on LIMA this year. Mr. Marhalim explains that the purchases signed were mostly Letters of Intent (LOIs) for armored vehicles, with no major contracts for aircraft or ships. He notes that actual purchases often occur outside of LIMA. They discuss the gaps in Malaysia's defense system, including the need for multirole combat aircraft and the challenges in sustaining the local defense industry.
Sidang Kemuncak ASEAN
KJ and Shahril discuss the upcoming ASEAN summit and the traffic disruptions it will cause in Kuala Lumpur. They question why Putrajaya, which was built as a protocol center, is not being used for the event. Shahril expresses a lack of confidence in ASEAN's ability to face current global challenges. He hopes that Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship will advance the digital economy framework and the ASEAN Grid. KJ hopes for progress on resolving the crisis in Myanmar and a declaration from all ASEAN countries regarding the situation in Gaza.
Lineker, Lancet & Palestine : Nada Baru Barat
The final topic revolves around the shift in Western attitudes towards Palestine. Shahril notes that more European countries are starting to voice moral outrage about the situation in Gaza. KJ highlights a study published by Lancet, an international medical publication, which suggests that the death toll in Gaza is much higher than estimates. They also mention Gary Lineker, who has consistently expressed a pro-Palestine position, even at the risk of losing his job.
