logo
M40 families face new struggles

M40 families face new struggles

The Sun3 days ago
PETALING JAYA: Once seen as the engine of Malaysia's economy, the M40 or middle-income group is now fighting to stay afloat – squeezed by rising living costs, stagnant wages and the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST).
For 37-year-old Mohd Kamarrul, providing for a family of four now means holding down two jobs. By day, he works full-time in an office. At night and on weekends, he delivers food or helps at events to make ends meet.
'Groceries and utility bills are eating up a bigger chunk now. We used to spend around RM1,100 on groceries each month. Now it's RM1,500 or more.'
Some of that, he admits, is due to his growing children. But the financial strain has become constant.
He said family dinners are now a rare treat. His daughter's piano lessons were the first to go. School holiday trips have turned into quick mall outings.
Although they are managing, Kamarrul said their savings are dwindling fast.
'Car repairs, school supplies – we've dipped into our savings more than once this year. The government helps the B40, and that's important. But we're slipping too. Some tax breaks or fuel subsidies would go a long way. Right now, we're on our own.'
Ray (not his real name), 33, is in a similar boat but with fewer safety nets. Between a housing loan, car payments and student debt, his single income barely stretches beyond monthly commitments.
'I used to have some room to save or invest, but now I plan around survival. Streaming, online shopping – all that's cut. I'm just trying to get through the month. Some months I delay loan payments just to keep things afloat. It's not ideal, but I don't have a choice.'
He believes policies should reflect the new reality, especially for the young ones.
'Freeze SST on essentials. Give tax relief for student loans. Just something to help people like us.'
In Kepala Batas, Penang, teacher Mohamad Firdaus Ab Rahman, 36, feels similar pressure, despite living in a semi-urban setting.
'It's slightly cheaper here than in KL, but raising four kids is still expensive, even with both of us working full-time,' he said.
He and his wife spend about RM2,500 a month on childcare – relying on babysitters and van services to coordinate their children's daily routines.
Once a promising youth footballer, Mohamad Firdaus left competitive sports behind for the security of a teaching career.
He doesn't regret the choice but it hasn't shielded him from stress.
'We're not struggling day to day, but one unexpected bill like a car breakdown or a medical emergency could derail our whole month.'
For Izzati Abdul Rahman, 45, the financial shift has been even more drastic.
'Five years ago, I could save, invest and take my kids on holidays. Now we're living paycheck to paycheck,' she said.
Izzati has cancelled streaming services, gym memberships and scaled back her children's extracurriculars. Her grocery strategy now hinges on timing.
'After 7pm, meat and vegetables are usually discounted, so I buy in bulk and freeze them,' she said.
Earlier this year, she had to use her credit card for her son's dental procedure, and later she took out a personal loan for urgent home repairs.
'There's no buffer anymore. One big bill, and we're in trouble.'
Her biggest fear now is a medical emergency.
'Just because we earn a little more than the B40 doesn't mean we're not struggling.
'Help should be based on how people actually live, not just gross income. We're not asking for handouts but just fairness.'
As SST-driven prices ripple across the economy, many M40 families are quietly slipping into survival mode, trading comfort for caution, plans for panic and stability for silent sacrifice.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lim Guan Eng told businessman to open account for bribes, court hears
Lim Guan Eng told businessman to open account for bribes, court hears

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Lim Guan Eng told businessman to open account for bribes, court hears

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng instructed a businessman to open a bank account to funnel bribes linked to the Penang Undersea Tunnel project, the Sessions Court heard today. G. Gnanaraja said the DAP chairman told him this during their first meeting while travelling inside Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB) director Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli's car on Aug 20, 2017. CZCSB was the company awarded the RM6.34 billion Penang undersea tunnel project. The 42-year-old businessman said this while testifying as a key prosecution witness in Lim's corruption trial involving the construction of a major road and undersea tunnel project in Penang worth RM6.3 billion. Lim is also the Bagan Member of Parliament. Gnanaraja said he used his company, Bumi Muhibah Holding Sdn Bhd, as the vehicle to channel bribe payments to Lim. "The company was established on Aug 10, 2016, and registered under the names Aminah Madian and Mohd Rezal Jantan as directors. "Later, in August 2017, I intended to use this company as the vehicle for bribe payments to Lim. "This company has only one bank account, and I was the sole person authorised to withdraw money from it. "All the requests to set up the company and its account were made while I was with Lim in a car on the way to Publika on Aug 20, 2017. "Lim also had personally viewed the company's Form 49 during a visit to my house on Aug 29, the same year. "He wanted to see the document to gain personal confidence in the company's management and the preparation of its documents. "Form 49 contained details of the company's directors, managers, and secretary," he said while testifying before Judge Azura Alwi today. Gnanaraja said he was chosen to act as the middleman between Lim and Zarul because he was not affiliated with any opposition parties at the time. He recounted his first task as the middleman when he received RM2 million in cash from Zarul near Eastin Hotel in Petaling Jaya for the purpose of delivering it to Lim on Aug 18, 2017. He said Zarul had put two dark-coloured bags with hand straps and and placed them directly into the boot of his Bentley. Gnanaraja said he knew the bags contained cash because as Zarul placed the first bag, he said "1M," and repeated the same as he placed the second. By "1M", he understood that Zarul meant RM1 million. He said that on Aug 20, Zarul contacted him and said they needed to pick up Lim at the Wen Worth Hotel near Pudu. However, the trial was cut short after Gnanaraja began coughing severely and said he was feeling unwell. Lim is facing four charges of using his position as the then Penang chief minister to solicit gratification to help Zarul's company secure the undersea tunnel project. He was alleged to have sought 10 per cent of the profit to be made by the company from Zarul. He was also accused of receiving RM3.3 million for himself and causing two plots of land belonging to the state government to be disposed of to two companies linked to the undersea tunnel project. The trial is set to resume on Aug 19.

Wasco empowers SMEs on ESG readiness ahead of NSRF rollout
Wasco empowers SMEs on ESG readiness ahead of NSRF rollout

The Star

time2 hours ago

  • The Star

Wasco empowers SMEs on ESG readiness ahead of NSRF rollout

KUALA LUMPUR: Wasco Bhd is taking early steps to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in its supply chain as Malaysia prepares for mandatory environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures under the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF). The energy infrastructure services group said it will host its inaugural Sustainability Day on July 29 in Kuala Lumpur, themed "Building a Responsible Value Chain Together', to help vendors prepare for upcoming sustainability requirements. "The full-day event aims to raise awareness and build ESG readiness across Wasco's vendor ecosystem, with a focus on Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, human rights due diligence, and responsible sourcing,' it said in a statement today. The programme will feature keynote addresses, a panel session and vendor advisory booths offering hands-on ESG guidance. A highlight will be the panel discussion, "From Learning to Leading: Real Stories from the Sustainability Journey', moderated by broadcast journalist and ESG advocate Freda Liu. Fresh from winning at the 2025 Sustainability and CSR Awards Malaysia, Wasco said it is expanding its ESG efforts beyond internal operations to empower supply chain stakeholders. "Sustainability is no longer a peripheral issue. It is central to long-term value creation,' said Wasco chief strategy officer Ariesza Noor. "While some companies focus on general ESG awareness, we are going deeper - tackling climate data, supplier transparency and human rights due diligence through practical, sector-specific guidance.' She said that although many SMEs in Wasco's supply chain are not immediately subject to NSRF disclosure requirements, proactive engagement is essential. "We recognise that many of our partners are not legally bound yet. However, readiness cannot wait until regulation knocks. That is why we have stepped in early - not to audit, but to empower,' Ariesza added. The NSRF, led by the Securities Commission Malaysia, aligns with global standards issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), requiring disclosures based on IFRS S1 and S2 - including Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions. The phased implementation will begin on Jan 1, 2025, with Tier 1 Main Market PLCs (those with market capitalisation of RM2 billion and above) required to comply first. Other Main Market companies are expected to follow by 2026, while ACE Market firms and large unlisted entities (with revenue over RM2 billion) must comply from 2027, with full adoption due by 2030. Among the event's ESG knowledge-sharing segments are sessions by Bursa Malaysia, UNGC Malaysia & Brunei, and independent experts offering toolkits on climate reporting, social compliance and ethical procurement. - Bernama

PM's initiatives tackle rising cost of living in Malaysia
PM's initiatives tackle rising cost of living in Malaysia

The Sun

time3 hours ago

  • The Sun

PM's initiatives tackle rising cost of living in Malaysia

PAPAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's latest initiatives demonstrate the government's commitment to easing the financial burden on Malaysians, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The expanded Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme will benefit 22 million citizens aged 18 and above, with RM2 billion allocated for one-off RM100 aid redeemable at over 4,000 outlets nationwide. Fahmi, also the MADANI Government spokesperson, emphasised that the move reflects the Prime Minister's responsiveness to public concerns. 'This was implemented after discussions with Cabinet members, and it clearly shows the Prime Minister's attentiveness, empathy and sensitivity to the public's concerns regarding the cost of living,' he told reporters after the Community Engagement Day at NADI Kampung Langkuas Kinarut. Additionally, the Rahmah Sales programme's allocation has doubled from RM300 million to RM600 million, ensuring at least one sales location per district. Fahmi noted that these measures highlight the government's focus on affordability. The Prime Minister also announced a reduction in RON95 petrol prices to RM1.99 per litre, with further details to be provided by the Ministry of Finance. Fahmi linked this to improved fiscal management, stating, 'This is a reflection of the government's effort in overcoming fiscal deficit, improving governance, and restoring investor confidence.' Looking ahead, Fahmi hinted at more comprehensive measures under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and MADANI Budget 2026. 'Insya-Allah, come October, the Prime Minister will present Budget 2026, where we can expect deeper, broader, and more responsive initiatives,' he added. – Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store