KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia said Wednesday it will liberalize parts of the services sector, removing ownership rules linked to a controversial affirmative action policy for majority Muslim Malays.
Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was sworn in earlier this month, said that 27 sub-sectors would be liberalized “to attract more investments, bring in more professionals and technology as well as strengthen competitiveness.”
The areas targeted for liberalization are in the areas of health and social services, tourism, transport, business services and computer and related services.
Businesses in those service industries will no longer have to be 30-percent owned by “bumiputera”—a term that means “son of the soil” and takes in Malays and indigenous tribes.
The rule is part of the New Economic Policy (NEP), launched after 1969 racial riots, in an effort to narrow the wealth gap between ethnic Chinese—who control the business sector—and Malays, who dominate government.
”The liberalization of the services sector is pursued with the view of creating a conducive business environment to attract investments, technology and to create higher value employment opportunities,” Najib said.
”These efforts are expected to enhance the level of competitiveness of the services sector in the country,” he said in a statement.
— AFP
It’s women’s month!
“Support women every day of the year!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and Made-in-the-Philippines
Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
Mar 4— Employee Appreciation Day
Mar 15 — World Consumer Rights Day
Mar 18 — Global Recycling Day
Mar 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mar 23 — International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Mar 25 — International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Mar 27 — Earth Hour
