‘So shocked by increase’: No easy solutions as Malaysians grapple with sharp spike in medical insurance costs

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GREATER TRANSPARENCY NEEDED, CONSUMER GROUP SAYS

The complicated problem is being worked out while efforts are being made.

Insurance companies have been required to offer customers the option to purchase heath insurance items with a co-payment have since September of last year.

According to Bank Negara Malaysia, prices for items with co-payment features range from 19 % to 68 % lower than those for items without these features.

Researchers have argued for greater accountability in the calculation of insurance premiums as well as for the establishment of an independent body to oversee the private medical industry.

An independent committee to review charges and price increases in personal care was suggested by Azrul of the Galen Center. &nbsp,

He suggested that the payment may have authority related to Malaysia’s Competition Commission and get over takaful and health insurance legislation from Bank Negara Malaysia.

Sim Tze Tzin, a member of the Bayan Baru legislator, has stated to CNA that the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee may be hearing testimony next month. Various stakeholders will be asked to comment on the story’s side. &nbsp,

” It is ( an ) entire ecosystem and on the receiving end are the patients and policyholders”, he said. &nbsp, While carriers and private institutions are profit-driven, their income should not be “excessive”.

In 2023, carriers Prudential, Fantastic Eastern, and AIA made net income of RM963 million, RM1.123 billion, and RM1.41 billion respectively.

When asked about carriers ‘ profits, MarkO’Dell, the CEO of the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia, claimed the profits came from the business’s another branches. &nbsp,

” A business could very easily be making 500 million dinars a year,” the statement read. But they’re losing wealth on their health organization. And therefore, he told CNA, you are asking the owners to give or receive subsidies from the profits of different lines of business by not raising the premium.

Sim noted in a presentation to parliamentarians last year that one aspect that needs to be looked into is the disparity in charges between those who file claims with insurance and those who pay out-of-pocket.

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Commentary: Chinese New Year is exhausting, but here’s why we keep celebrating it

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NOT THE END OF THE Home, BUT WE NEED TO REACH OUT

Obviously, this is not the end of the family unit, although there will always be a small section of society wringing its hands bemoaning the loss of” traditional” values.

I am then old enough to understand that values, principles, and even what constitutes “family” can and do alter- sometimes for the better, maybe never.

However, what is crucial is how Singapore as a whole needs to continue to expand beyond our conventional social networks, both online and offline, to engage in interactions that motivate and acknowledge different viewpoints.

Too often we are encouraged to” cut out toxic people” in our lives, which to me, feels more like the easy way out of discussing your feelings. No secure with a relationship? Unalive, as the youths prefer to say. However, taking a knee-jerk reaction can lead to more polarizing viewpoints and cultural isolation.

Events like Chinese New Year or Christmas, nevertheless, push us to socialise in lines we are not used to- relatives, friends, and maybe those we don’t see eye to eye with.

Social media usually goads us into wanting instant issue and/or resolution, as if everything had been settled in 280 characters, 30 seconds of video, or a witty comment on Reddit.

I think we can do more and perform greater. We don’t have to show unity with every sentiment or significance we encounter, and neither should, but we should at least try to understand where people are coming from.

And if it all fails, at least there will be bak kwa at the meetings?

Terence Heng is University of Liverpool Reader in Sociology.

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Chula aids Cambodia with AI development

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Collaboration aims to promote the development of education

PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 05: 05

President Prof Dr Wilert Puriwat talks to the Director General Prof Dr Po Kimtho during a visit to the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC). Jetjaras na Ranong
During a visit to the Institute of Technology of Cambodia ( ITC ), President Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat and Director General Prof. Dr. Po Kimtho exchange. Jetjaras na Ranong

Phnom Penh: Chulalongkorn University ( CU) is looking to strengthen its academic cooperation with Cambodia, highlighting an artificial intelligence ( AI ) -driven future.

Stupid members led by CU President Wilert Puriwat just met with Thai Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Hang Chuon Naron, a CU student, in the Cambodian money.

During the conference, Mr Naron, joined by 10 different CU alumni in Cambodia, expressed his gratitude to the school for its aid in improving Thai training.

Mr. Naron, who received his PhD in educational administration from CU in 2018, said he used the information gained from his research to implement a task to reform a Thai class.

The transformation proved a great success, he said.

According to Prof. Wilert, the visit was intended to strengthen ties between CU and Cambodia in order for further educational development, and it also highlighted the use of AI technology in education.

This scientific assistance aims to protect both non-degree and degree-seeking learners, with the goal being not only students but the greater people, he said.

The collaboration aims to use AI technology to improve the education program.

According to Prof Wilert, the university has joined hands with Google Cloud to develop an AI tool called” Chula’s Generative AI Environment for Nurturing Intelligence and Education”, aka” ChulaGenie”.

The college is looking to promote the engineering with people, including Cambodia.

” We may dispute the significance of AI in our daily lives. It’s crucial that people are aware of how to use AI in daily life and in education settings, according to Prof. Wilert.

Mr. Naron claimed that AI has begun to be taught in the Institute of Technology of Cambodia ( ITC ), which includes courses in software engineering and cyber security.

AI systems has also been used to aid teachers in Cambodia, allowing professors to make training programs, presentations and assessments, among others.

” I’m glad that Chulalongkorn has thought about working with Cambodia at higher education and college degrees,” Mr. Naron said, adding that worries about the technology and potentials of AI will also be raised.

The CU members even traveled to the ITC to learn about its AI-related programs and meet with director common Po Kimtho, another CU student who received a master’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering, to discuss their ideas.

“CU has made our vision clear to be a world Thai school, delivering life-changing values, modern intellect skill and humanitarian spirit”, Prof Kimtho said, adding that training in technology such as AI will support the university to expand internationally.

Princess Nina Norodom, who received her master’s education in conversation artists from Chula, described her experience at the university as excellent and maintains contact with her colleagues and academics.

The school also wants to start a CU alumni relationship in Cambodia, according to Prof. Wilert.

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Extra manpower, months of preparation: How millions of notes are distributed for Chinese New Year in Singapore

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MAS has been constantly encouraging the use of fit-for-gifting papers over new versions, citing conservation problems.

Most new notes are used only when before being returned to the central bank, then&nbsp, processed and reissued as fit-for-gifting information. However, the hoard of these papers continues to grow, MAS said.

S$ 2 ( US$ 1.50 ) notes remain the most popular denomination for Chinese New Year gifting, with the stock of fit-for-gifting S$ 2 notes increasing by 15 to 20 million pieces annually over the past two years.

” Over occasion, when storage capacity is exceeded, the additional will need to be incinerated, resulting in unwanted wastage”, the central bank said.

MAS estimated that each year there are 20 million extra new S$ 2 information issued. The carbon footprint of these documents is equivalent to 400 four-room HDB flats, and to offset this may require planting 10,000 new trees every year.

Despite this, demand for new information remains great. Customers continue to ask why there aren’t as many fresh notes because they still hold on to old-fashioned customs, according to Ms. Tan, the unit service manager at DBS.

Regardless of whether the records are brand-new, she assures them that the consumers of red boxes would be very happy to receive the funds. &nbsp,

That solution seems to touch clients. ” You can see the elderly all laughing”, Ms Tan said.

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MCT warns ‘on sign’ doctors

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upcoming new rules going into effect following fortnight

PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 05: 00

The Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) has issued a warning that doctors who use their names to promote a office without having any prior experience there will be subject to new laws.

Following Senator Keskamol Pleansamai’s 126-million-baht asset case, as revealed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC), rumors about doctors getting paid for their names or faces to be displayed on billboards, websites, and social media to promote beauty centers and medical facilities have recently gained internet users ‘ attention.

According to the NACC, about 210, 000 ringgit of her monthly salary was generated by having her name appear on a sign at a clinic where she did not work.

According to Dr. Methee Wongsirisuwan, Assistant Secretary at the MCT, this behavior is regarded as a violation of punitive laws and against the health agency’s recently announced rules, which will take effect on February 9.

The penalties range from a one-year medical license suspension to a repeat violator’s lasting withdrawal.

According to Dr Methee, an “on the mark” dentist may receive up to 50, 000 ringgit a month.

Most of these doctors claim employers gave them the impression that they had broken the law and ethics rules. They also reportedly claimed that they were informed that this was a legitimate reason for their actions.

Dr. Methee warned doctors, particularly those who have only graduated from school, not to harm their health professions by agreeing to be a part of them and that MCT has received numerous complaints about such schemes.

The HSS even makes sure that the activity of health facilities meets with the Medical Facilities Act 1998, according to Dr. Arkhom Praditsuwan, deputy director of the Department of Health Service Support.

Physicians at the clinics who have their names displayed there are required to operate it.

If found guilty, office owners and managers will also be punished.

According to Dr. Arkhom, those found guilty in such a case experience penalties that range from a 40 000-baht good to a five-year prison term.

Keskamol: Links to campaign structure

Keskamol: Links to campaign structure

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Medical council warns ‘on sign’ doctors

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New rules to become effective second quarter

PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 05: 00

The Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) has issued a warning that doctors who use their names to promote a office without having any prior experience there will be subject to new laws.

Following Senator Keskamol Pleansamai’s 126-million-baht asset case, as revealed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC), rumors about doctors getting paid for their names or faces to be displayed on billboards, websites, and social media to promote beauty centers and medical facilities have recently gained internet users ‘ attention.

According to the NACC, about 210, 000 ringgit of her quarterly earnings was generated by having her name appear on a sign at a clinic where she did not work.

According to Dr. Methee Wongsirisuwan, Assistant Secretary at the MCT, this behavior is regarded as a violation of administrative regulations and is prohibited by the Medical Council’s previously announced regulations, which will take effect on February 9.

The penalties range from a one-year medical license suspension to a repeat violator’s continuous renewal.

According to Dr Methee, an “on the mark” dentist may receive up to 50, 000 ringgit a month.

Most of these specialists claim employers gave them the impression that they had broken the law and ethics rules. They also reportedly claimed that they were informed that this was a legitimate reason for their actions.

Dr. Methee warned doctors, particularly those who have just graduated from college, against committing to a part of such methods and that MCT has received numerous complaints about them.

The HSS also makes sure that the activity of medical facilities meets with the Medical Facilities Act 1998, according to Dr. Arkhom Praditsuwan, deputy director of the Department of Health Service Support.

Doctors at the hospitals must work that if their titles are displayed there.

If found guilty, office owners and managers will also be punished.

Those found criminal in a situation like this are subject to penalties that range from a 40, 000-baht good to a five-year prison term, according to Dr. Arkhom.

Keskamol: Links to campaign structure

Keskamol: Links to campaign structure

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‘A bit of dread’ watching Manchester United now, but fans in Singapore sticking with team

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Mr. Chin pointed out that all of the current crop of people were acquired by various managers.

” In terms of building a team, you need to bolster that trust in each other… it’s the trust that is missing ( and ) a lack of familiarity with each other”, he said.

Amorim also now doesn’t have the types of players appropriate for his favored 3-4-3 formation.

But unfortunately, for enthusiasts like Mr Chin, nothing did sever their relationship to Manchester United.

” I grew up supporting them and there’s that connection to the team today”, he said. ” It doesn’t change my help”.

Jersey profits in Singapore support this increase.

At big sports merchandise retailer Weston Corp, that ‘s&nbsp, been a” little decline” in the number of Manchester United kits sold this season&nbsp, – but it remains the most popular team in terms of sales.

We sell more United kits than any other team, according to Weston producer Ami Chopra, who spoke to CNA.

” Supporters are quite loyal. When they support the pub, they support the club”.

WHAT ABOUT FUTURE FANS?

Mr James Walton, Deloitte’s activities business team leader for Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia, noted that Manchester United’s possible problems with&nbsp, revenue and sustainability rules could also have an effect on its fans.

These Premier League rules prohibit irresponsible spending and prevent wealthy donors from giving large sums of money to clubs. They also place restrictions on how much money a club can drop over the course of three seasons.

Last year, United wrote to buff parties warning that the team was at risk of breaching&nbsp, the laws.

Fans who want the group to be built around the two skills may be offended by its willingness to sell two of its brightest fresh stars, 20-year-old wing Alejandro Garnacho and 19-year-old playmaker Kobbie Mainoo, said Mr. Walton, Mr.

And attracting younger generations to the United fans may be a problem if performances keep falling.

” The challenge for sports team is that your older supporters usually stay loyal through the thick and thin, but perhaps the younger followers will be the ones you won’t get,” he said.

They may rather seem to just more powerful teams like Liverpool and Manchester City because they are just starting out and finding a group to support them, according to Mr. Walton.

” But ultimately, Man United is one of the two or three largest brands of football clubs in the world, and will always have a large support”.

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No evidence of graft in gym inquiry

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PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 04: 55

Local residents use fitness equipment at Wachirabenjathat Park, or Suan Rod Fai, in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, in June last year. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)
Local people use exercise equipment at Wachirabenjathat Park, or Suan Rod Fai, in Chatuchak city, Bangkok, in June next year. ( Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya )

No evidence of wrongdoing has been found in the investigation into alleged transplant in the purchasing of exercising equipment for seven entertainment and sports facilities in the capital.

Bangkok government Chadchart Sittipunt made the announcement on Monday regarding the investigation’s conclusion, which was launched in June of last year. The investigation was launched to determine whether 29 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) officials had any corroborating evidence in the procurement project, which was worth 77.22 million baht.

The project was created to provide training tools for the people at seven entertainment and sporting facilities across the area, including On Nut Sports Centre, the 72nd Anniversary Stadium, Mitr Maitree Sports Centre, Wachirabenchathat Sports Centre, Waree Phirom Sports Centre, BMA Recreation Center, and Wat Dok Mai Recreation Centre.

The discussion began when the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT) claimed last year that the purchasing words badly favored some candidates over people. For instance, a company may have won at least 40 arrangements of comparable price before taking part in the selling process, which means just two companies.

These firms secured the agreements with raised prices, with items like a gym listed as costing 759, 000 ringgit– far above the market price of 100, 000 to 300, 000 ringgit.

Mr. Chadchart had recently claimed that the concern was primarily due to the shortcomings in the position procurement law. However, the president’s latest order, issued on Jan 14, stated that the investigation found no evidence that indicated that the officers had violated purchasing requirements.

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Dead man’s family appeal for help

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Body was recovered from Japan.

PUBLISHED: 28 Jan 2025 at 04: 51

The friends of a Loei person who is alleged to have been killed in Japan in December are urging Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to assist in negotiating the return of his system to his home.

The victim’s uncle, Nannaphat Tanming, who reached out to the Loei Independent Media Club on Monday to find her story up, launched the charm.

About a fortnight after being reported missing by his friends, Kornnaphat Promsung, 25, was found dead in the back of a Thai restaurant in Hiroshima.

Kornnaphat, who visited Hiroshima in 2022 to participate in a training program with Chuzosho Co Ltd and Hiroshima Sokeizai Centre, was supposed to travel up to Thailand in April.

He was last seen dead on December 21 at a party hosted by his coworkers in their dorm.

He and nine different people made the decision to attend a different group at a Thai diner later that night.

Kornnaphat last spoke with his partner and family in Thailand at around 2 a.m., Bangkok period, but the communication instantly stopped.

His family reached out to the program administrator, who reported him missing on December 23. Finally, police searched nearby accident reports, but they discovered no evidence of Kornnaphat everywhere.

Ms. Nannaphat claimed that she had tried to get the Labour Ministry’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to look into the case, but was unsuccessful in getting a reply to her inquiries.

She claimed she likewise reached Kornnaphat’s Thai eatery, but she also received no response.

The Thai restaurant’s emergency stairway was where Kornnaphat’s body was discovered sometime next week.

Ms. Nannaphat claimed that the family is interested in finding the truth behind her nephew’s murder because they believe her grandson was murdered.

The home has contacted the Thai consulate-general in Hiroshima to help promote the relocation of Kornnaphat’s remains to Thailand, but they have but to get any reply, she said.

As for, she decided to approach the internet in the hope that the mother’s ask to have Kornnaphat’s bones returned to Thailand did accomplish Ms Paetongtarn.

We’ve even tried to speak with Chinese regulators to talk about legal options and inquiries. We’ve received no response”, she said.

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Govt to step up on haze

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Premier to tackle government on measures

Thick smog shrouds Bangkok on Jan 23. (Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong)
Bangkok is covered in thick dust on January 23. ( Photo: Jetjaras Na Ranong )

According to government official Jirayu Houngsub, prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is scheduled to give further instructions at a government meeting on Tuesday to address the cloud problem.

The issue of PM2.5 waste will be the target of the government meet after Ms Paetongtarn, upon returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, at the weekends, said the growing waste issue transcends national frontiers.

According to the top, Maris Sangiampongsa, the country’s foreign secretary, has been asked to discuss regional cooperation with Asean in order to address the crisis in the context of the country’s existing provincial frameworks.

The case will evaluate the actions taken by various ministers since October last year, according to Mr. Jirayu.

Key agencies, including the Department of Pollution Control, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency ( Gistda ) and the Industry Ministry, will report on their progress in combating the haze and improving air quality.

The prime minister will also give further instructions on how to deal with the cloud crisis, with particular attention given to managing bush fires in federal parks and dealing with agricultural losing, he said.

In Bangkok and surrounding provinces, the government will assign the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ), the Department of Land Transport, the Royal Thai Police, and the Ministry of Interior to address dust pollution.

According to Mr. Jirayu, the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Committee may concentrate its efforts on the regions that are significantly impacted by forest flames and burning activities somewhere.

According to the official, regions like Chiang Mai, which have made progress in improving air quality may get asked to share their haze-combatting practices so that other counties can follow suit.

Anutin Charnvirakul, the head of the national crisis prevention and prevention committee, will lead the meeting on Wednesday to review the progress made and explore potential solutions for various emergencies.

According to Mr. Jirayu, Minister of Defense Phumtham Wechayachai and Minister of Digital Economy and Society ( DES ) Prasert Jantararuangtong will be attending the meeting.

Mr. Anutin, who visited Chiang Mai on Monday to evaluate the management of forest flames, emphasized that the government is making more efforts to address the persistent cloud problems.

He claimed that human action is the main cause of waste, particularly as agricultural practices change. He argued that the government must uphold the law, and that those who break it must be made immediately aware of the consequences.

” Thailand is frequently facing monthly natural disasters. It starts with fog, followed by drought, storms, and warm weather, and the cycle repeats every time”, he said.

” We didn’t continue to live like this. Prevention is important, and the first move is to enforce the law, which can be done soon”.

He claimed that the prime minister has pledged to work with security forces and community health participants to solve the problem of cloud pollution.

Mr. Anutin noted that the issue has negative effects on the tourism industry, the surroundings, and health.

On Monday, the Labour Ministry and the Public Health Ministry both expressed concerns about the risky sand waste, but both assured that more work was being done to address the problem.

Those in high-risk regions are urged to take precautionary methods, such as wearing face masks outside.

Employees who become ill you get medical attention at the nearby hospitals and get in touch with the hospitals where they have been registered under the social security system as soon as possible.

Experience faces are being distributed to vulnerable groups in the places where the dangerous levels are in the orange and red areas, according to the Public Health Ministry.

From Tuesday westward, people in the affected regions can acquire face masks.

The government has an adequate hoard of faces for transmission, including 7.3 million medical masks and more than 600, 000 N95 faces.

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