MalaysianUpdates

Author: Yasmin Zainal

  • Toyota Eco Youth 2026 Kicks Off with Hands-On Learning and Nationwide Participation

    UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has officially launched the Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) 2026 programme, beginning with a two-day workshop held from 30 to 31 March, followed by its official opening at Wyndham Acmar, Klang. Earlier this year, the programme received an encouraging response nationwide, with 327 submissions from secondary schools across Malaysia. This strong participation highlights the growing interest among students in tackling environmental challenges within their communities.

    Now celebrating its 25th edition, Toyota Eco Youth has grown into a well-established national initiative aimed at nurturing environmental awareness while encouraging students aged 13 to 16 to develop practical solutions to real-world issues. Participants are guided to identify local environmental problems and address them using Toyota’s structured problem-solving approach. According to Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor, the programme goes beyond theoretical learning by equipping students with essential skills, confidence, and mentorship. It provides them with the opportunity to turn their ideas into impactful projects that can create meaningful change within their communities.

    From the total submissions, 30 schools have been selected to move forward into the workshop and project implementation phase. Each school will receive a RM3,000 grant, contributing to a total of RM90,000 in funding to support their initiatives. This hands-on approach reflects TEY’s focus on experiential learning, allowing students to test and refine their ideas in real-life settings.

    In addition, TEY 2026 offers RM80,000 in prize money, bringing the total programme allocation to RM170,000. The top three winners will receive RM30,000, RM20,000, and RM10,000 respectively. Throughout the workshop, students and their teacher-advisors are provided with guidance and mentorship to strengthen their project plans, set clear implementation strategies, and monitor progress effectively. This phase emphasises collaboration, creativity, and a strong sense of environmental responsibility.

    Following evaluations and progress reviews, the top 15 schools will advance to the final stage at the TEY 2026 Convention and Exhibition, scheduled to take place from 2 to 4 November 2026, where they will compete for the main awards. Toyota Eco Youth continues to play an important role in inspiring young Malaysians to become proactive environmental leaders by offering structured support, hands-on experience, and recognition for their efforts in driving sustainable change.

  • Kerangka Dasar Kerajaan bagi Akta Pekerja Gig 2025

    Gabungan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang mewakili pelbagai kumpulan dalam ekosistem ekonomi gig, termasuk pekerja dan pengguna, telah mengeluarkan kenyataan media bersama bagi menggesa kerajaan mempertimbangkan penangguhan pelaksanaan Akta Pekerja Gig 2025 (Akta 872). Walaupun langkah kerajaan memperkenalkan rangka perundangan khusus bagi sektor ini dilihat sebagai sesuatu yang positif, gabungan tersebut berpendapat bahawa masih terdapat beberapa aspek penting yang perlu dikaji dan diperhalusi sebelum akta ini dilaksanakan secara menyeluruh.

    Antara isu utama yang dibangkitkan ialah takrifan pekerja gig yang dilihat terlalu luas, sekali gus berpotensi mewujudkan persaingan yang tidak seimbang, terutamanya kepada pekerja tempatan. Selain itu, cadangan penubuhan Tribunal Pekerja Gig dan Majlis Perundingan Gig turut menimbulkan persoalan berkaitan keberkesanan, ketelusan serta bidang kuasa, khususnya jika ia bertindih dengan sistem sedia ada tanpa memberikan impak yang jelas.

    Selain itu, prosedur penyahaktifan akaun juga dilihat kurang sesuai dengan sifat industri gig yang memerlukan tindakan segera dan responsif. Dalam masa yang sama, peruntukan berkaitan hak berpersatuan dianggap tidak cukup kukuh kerana tidak menyediakan kuasa rundingan kolektif seperti yang dimiliki oleh kesatuan sekerja. Dari sudut ekonomi pula, pengiktirafan formal pekerja gig boleh menyebabkan mereka terdedah kepada kewajipan cukai tanpa disertai jaminan perlindungan pendapatan yang mencukupi.

    Gabungan NGO turut menyuarakan kebimbangan terhadap proses libat urus yang dianggap tidak menyeluruh dan kurang telus. Terdapat persepsi bahawa dasar ini dirangka secara tergesa-gesa tanpa penglibatan sebenar semua pihak berkepentingan, sekali gus berisiko menjadikan pekerja gig sebagai “ujian dasar”. Di samping itu, peningkatan premium insurans juga memberi tekanan tambahan kepada pekerja gig dan berkemungkinan memberi kesan kepada pengguna melalui kenaikan kos perkhidmatan.

    Secara keseluruhannya, gabungan ini menegaskan bahawa cadangan moratorium bukan bertujuan menolak usaha kerajaan, tetapi untuk memastikan akta ini dibangunkan dengan lebih menyeluruh, praktikal dan selari dengan keadaan sebenar industri. Dengan pendekatan yang lebih telus dan inklusif, akta ini berpotensi menjadi satu dasar yang benar-benar melindungi serta memperkasakan pekerja gig di Malaysia.