GST tak perlu dilaksana buat masa ini
- Details
SHAH ALAM - Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST) tidak perlu dilaksanakan buat masa ini sekiranya kewangan negara masih boleh ditanggung kerajaan dalam perbelanjaan sekarang.
Penganalisis ekonomi dari Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Profesor Madya Dr Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid berkata, kerajaan perlu mengambil kira kesan yang dialami rakyat berikutan kenaikan kos sara hidup dan daripada segi rasionalisasi struktur cukai negara jika mahu melaksanakannya.
“Bagaimanapun, saya melihat pelaksanaannya perlu dibuat jika kerajaan membuat perubahan pada struktur ekonomi yang dimahukan seperti Ekonomi Madani.
“Ia bagaimanapun perlu dilaksanakan secara bertahap tanpa membuatkan rakyat panik, malah mendapat kefahaman (buy-in) terlebih dahulu dan lebih baik sekiranya mendapat sokongan semua pemegang taruh,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas kenyataan Presiden Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia (DPMM), Norsyahrin Hamidon yang menggesa kerajaan untuk mengkaji pelaksanaan semula GST yang dimansuhkan pada 2018.
Skim Perubatan MADANI akan diperluas
- Details
KUALA LUMPUR: Pelaksanaan rintis Skim Perubatan MADANI akan diperluaskan bagi memastikan lebih ramai menerima rawatan kesihatan secara percuma di klinik perubatan swasta yang berdaftar.
Syarikat yang mengurus dan melaksana Skim Perubatan MADANI, ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd (ProtectHealth) dalam kenyataan pada Rabua memaklumkan skim itu akan diperluaskan ke Kota Bharu, Pasir Mas di Kelantan; Kuantan (Pahang); Melaka Tengah (Melaka); Seremban (Negeri Sembilan); Seberang Perai Tengah (Pulau Pinang) dan Perlis pada minggu keempat bulan ini.
Ini menjadikan keseluruhan 21 daerah yang terlibat dalam inisiatif rintis kerajaan bagi menampung keperluan kesihatan golongan B40 terhadap Penjagaan Kesihatan Primer Akut (Rawatan Pesakit Luar Kes-Kes Akut) itu.
Menurut kenyataan itu Fasa 1 rintis Skim Perubatan MADANI telah dilaksanakan di 10 daerah iaitu Johor Bahru (Johor); Kuala Lumpur; Klang, Petaling, Hulu Langat dan Gombak (Selangor); Kinta (Perak); Timur Laut (Pulau Pinang); Kuching (Sarawak) dan Kota Kinabalu (Sabah).
Fasa 2 skim itu pula bermula di dua negeri iaitu Terengganu di Kuala Nerus dan Kuala Terengganu manakala di Kedah melibatkan Kota Setar dan Kuala Muda, pada minggu kedua bulan ini.
Fasa rintis ini dijalankan untuk tempoh enam bulan bermula 15 Jun lepas dan akan berakhir 31 Dis depan.
Unity Govt forges more public-private partnerships to combat cybercrimes
- Details
KUALA LUMPUR: The Unity Government is committed to forging more partnerships across the public and private sectors to combat cybercrimes, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said the public-private partnerships or PPP is one of the most effective way to combat cybercrimes as it’s formed from a synergistic and neutral platform where cyber security industry players and government can work closely, thus empowering a swifter response to a cyber-attack.
“The partnership between government and industry needs to continuously evolve, build trust, being open to challenges, sharing data as effectively as possible.
“We are actively working with partners from industry players to warn and respond to incidents, and offer guidance as well as training to our community to stay safe online,” he said.
The minister said this during his speech at the Malaysia Cyber Security Awards Gala Dinner 2023 in conjuction with Cyber Defence and Security Asia (DSA) Expo and Conference 2023, here yesterday.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Teo Nie Ching and CSM’s chairman of the board Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.
Read more: Unity Govt forges more public-private partnerships to combat cybercrimes
LETTER | Improve safety standards for cooking gas cylinders
- Details
LETTER | The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) calls on the authorities to come out with mandatory safety standards for cooking gas cylinders.
The call is made in response to the numerous injuries and deaths that occurred due to explosions caused by cooking gas cylinders.
The latest occurred on July 30, when a couple from Johor, was injured in a cooking gas explosion.
Following is the list of cooking gas cylinders accidents and fatalities that have occurred over the years:
Read more: LETTER | Improve safety standards for cooking gas cylinders
Sektor perbankan pemangkin perubahan ekonomi hijau
- Details
KUALA LUMPUR - Institusi kewangan digesa bekerjasama dengan agensi kerajaan dan organisasi awam untuk mewujudkan perkongsian bagi memacu pembangunan mampan dan menyokong peralihan Malaysia ke arah ekonomi hijau.
Dalam membuat seruan itu, Menteri Sumber Asli, Alam Sekitar dan Perubahan Iklim, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad berkata, kerjasama industri merupakan instrumen paling berkuasa untuk menyokong matlamat Malaysia itu, justeru, sektor perbankan perlu menyedari akan peranannya sebagai pemangkin bagi perubahan tersebut.
Menurutnya, sektor perbankan memiliki kuasa kewangan yang amat besar, berupaya memacu keputusan pelaburan ke arah alternatif lebih hijau.
"Dengan memasukkan projek tenaga mampan ke dalam portfolio pinjaman mereka, institusi kewangan boleh memberi insentif dan menggalakkan pembangunan infrastruktur tenaga bersih.
"Ini akan memainkan peranan penting dalam mempercepat peralihan tersebut dengan menyediakan kepada perniagaan dan individu modal yang diperlukan untuk meneruskan inisiatif tenaga boleh baharu (TBB).
"Sememangnya, dengan menyokong projek sedemikian, bank sebenarnya 'mengundi' bagi kemampanan dan kelaknya akan membawa masa depan yang lebih baik kepada Malaysia," katanya pada Persidangan Alam Sekitar, Sosial dan Tadbir Urus (ESG) Antarabangsa bertajuk "Shaping Today For Tomorrow' di sini, hari ini.
Read more: Sektor perbankan pemangkin perubahan ekonomi hijau
Lot parkir dibolot kenderaan rosak
- Details
PETALING JAYA - Meskipun pihak berkuasa tempatan kerap melakukan operasi melupuskan kenderaan usang, namun kes lambakan kenderaan terbiar sekitar flat di Lembah Klang seakan tidak bernoktah sehingga mencetus kerisauan dalam kalangan masyarakat setempat.
Difahamkan, terdapat lebih 20 kenderaan dipercayai mengalami kerosakan tersadai di parkir flat Desa Mentari 3 di sini, sehingga menyebabkan kekurangan tempat letak kereta selain menyebabkan laluan keluar masuk menjadi sempit.
Rata-rata penduduk yang ditemui mengakui keadaan itu sudah berlarutan hampir empat dekad dan sukar diselesaikan.
Salah seorang penduduk, Nor Hamizah Azmi, 34, mengakui mereka terpaksa 'membutakan mata dan memekakkan telinga' dengan situasi tersebut yang dihadapi di kawasan itu.
“Walaupun pihak berkuasa kerap menampal notis dan melakukan operasi menunda, ada penduduk dilihat masih berdegil selain tidak mengendahkan amaran diterima,” katanya.
Tambahnya, selain kereta, terdapat juga motosikal terbiar di parkir khas dan tidak dialihkan untuk tempoh lama.
TNB bill: Consumers can lodge claims with TTPM
- Details
PUTRAJAYA — Consumers who are not satisfied with the increase in their electricity bill during the movement control order (MCO) period can file their complaints at the Tribunal for Consumer Claims Malaysia (TTPM).
Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid said besides lodging complaints to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and the Energy Commission, consumers have another alternative to file their case with TTPM for a fee of only RM5.
“The issue of high electricity bill during the MCO has come to our attention. We noticed that many consumers have expressed dissatisfaction,” he told Bernama here today.
He added that the TTPM has received two claims so far, including one on the extraordinary spike of electricity bill.
The increase in electricity bill has been seriously discussed by consumers on social media, and many have shared their frustrations on the current electricity charges.
“File your case with TTPM for a RM5 fee and it will be judged fairly,” Rosol said.
TTPM was established on November 15, 1999 to serve as an alternative channel for consumers to claim compensation regarding purchase of products or services, and the cases can be resolved within 60 days.
The tribunal also enables the consumers to seek redress not exceeding RM50,000 for the purchase of products and services which are not as advertised.
Rakyat should enjoy better life quality in line with economic growth
- Details
The Madani Economy framework announced by Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently is set to gradually improve Malaysians’ standard of living as the government aspires to eradicate poverty.
While the first focus is emphasising the foundation for economic stability with strategies to position Malaysia for new growth, a significant aspect such as quality of life remains a priority.
Anwar in his speech said while industries have matured and grown rapidly, wealth distribution is still not equal with many still earning below minimum wage and living in poverty.
Universiti Kuala Lumpur Business School economic analyst Prof Dr Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid said industrial development should be more regional-centric rather than focusing only in big cities like Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru.
To eradicate hard-core poverty, two key efforts have been set in motion this year.
These are the Inisiatif Pendapatan Rakyat which provides opportunities for the severely poor households and the Payung Rahmah concept which is a voluntary participation from businesses.
Assistant Professor of Finance at UCSI University Malaysia and Research Fellow at Centre for Market Education (CME) Dr Liew Chee Yoong told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) that this helps to some extent but it must be accompanied by effective structural reforms in the economy to raise people’s income.
Apart from that, to facilitate home ownership, the Housing Credit Guarantee was announced under Madani Budget 2023 as a means to support individuals with no fixed income to own their first house.
Read more: Rakyat should enjoy better life quality in line with economic growth
Traders and consumers concerned about polybag cooking oil shortage
- Details
KUALA TERENGGANU: The short supply of subsidised polybag cooking oil has become critical as traders and consumers claim that it is difficult to get in the surrounding areas here.
In fact, a survey of several convenience stores and supermarkets in this area also found a shortage of stock for polybag cooking oil; only bottled cooking oil is available.
Nurshahidatina Eliya Zahari, 25, a convenience store trader, said the shortage of polybag cooking oil began at the end of last July.
According to her, the most she could get were two boxes of polybag cooking oil, each box containing 17 kilograms, which were purchased from wholesalers.
"The polybag cooking oil shortage began at the end of last month and has been ongoing until today.
"We have to personally search for supply in various other places and shops that sell it. Usually, consumers only want polybag cooking oil and I have to limit the sale to one or two packets per person," she said when met at her store in Kampung Losong Haji Awang, here, today.
Read more: Traders and consumers concerned about polybag cooking oil shortage
Free myBAS bus service for people with special needs, students, senior citizens in Negri, Perak, Johor
- Details
SEREMBAN: Individuals with special needs, students and senior citizens in three states can now travel for free on the myBAS stage bus service, says Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
The Transport Minister said special needs individuals registered with the Welfare Department, students aged between seven and 17 and senior citizens who are above 60 can, from Tuesday (Aug 15), apply for the myBASKonsesi card which will allow them to travel for free on 58 routes in Negri Sembilan, Perak and Johor.
The move is also to encourage more people to use the public transport service.
"This is another initiative by the ministry under the Stage Bus Service Transformation programme to help reduce the living cost of the people.
"Those eligible will only have to bring their MyKad, MyKid or MyTentera identification document or the OKU card issued by the Welfare Department when applying," he told reporters after launching the card at the Terminal One bus station here.
Loke said those who wished to apply for the pass in Negri Sembilan can do so at the Terminal One Station here, Nilai Sentral and the bus stations in Bahau, Tampin and Port Dickson.
Page 25 of 103
