Sibu Parliamentary Service Centre to hold special subsidised food drive at Medan Supermarket on June 28
File photo provided by the service centre shows people lining up to buy the food packages at subsidised prices.
SIBU (June 27): The Sibu Parliamentary Service Centre will hold the special subsidised food drive at the Medan Supermarket of Jalan Wawasan here tomorrow (June 28), running from 11.30am to 2.30pm.
According to Sibu MP Oscar Ling, his team has prepared 1,000 sets of food packages, priced as RM30 each.
'The price is a discount of 32 per cent, off the original RM46 per set.
'They (food packages) will be up for sale on a first-come, first-served basis, while stocks last,' he said in a statement, also advising the public to come to the drive at staggered time to avoid congestion.
The items per package include a 10kg of 3A Boy white rice, one pack of Lihua noodles, one pack of biscuits, and 10 eggs.
'Each household is only allowed to purchase one set.
'After registration, each person is also entitled to get a coupon that would allow them to purchase one pack of milk formula.
'For milk priced RM20 and above, there will be a RM5 rebate.'
The MP also reminded the people not to miss the special promotion and to come early for the event.
'This subsidy programme is a monthly initiative run by our service team, and it takes place at different venues across Sibu.
'The Madani Government has specially designed this with a core objective of helping to reduce the people's financial burden,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
32 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
SJA president urges journalists to uphold truth in digital era
Mariah, Joniston and the winners of the Kinabalu Press Awards 2025. KOTA KINABALU (June 30): Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) president Mariah Doksil has urged media practitioners across the state to safeguard the core values of journalism amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that machines can never replace human integrity, empathy, and truth-telling. Speaking at the Kinabalu Press Awards (KPA) 2025 held at Magellan Sutera on Sunday night, Mariah highlighted both the challenges and the enduring spirit of Sabah's media community. 'Some of us depend too much on AI to write news, to the point that we let a chatbot decide the facts and the style of writing,' she said. 'Yes, AI is smart and helpful, but it has its limits — especially when the topic is complex. We should not rely on a machine to write or edit for us. Let's not surrender our creative juice,' she stressed. Citing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent RM30 million allocation for digital transformation under the National Journalists Day (HAWANA) celebration, Mariah urged that the funds be used wisely. 'I hope this allocation will help journalists in Sabah not only to prioritise factual accuracy untouched by AI manipulation but also to preserve the soul and empathy in news reporting,' she said. Acknowledging the mounting challenges faced by mainstream media, Mariah pointed to shifting reading habits, shrinking job opportunities, and waning interest among the youth due to low salaries. Despite this tough landscape, she reaffirmed the critical role of traditional media in combating misinformation, especially as Sabah heads into another election season. 'Mainstream media plays a crucial role in ensuring fair, accurate and balanced reporting, particularly when we are flooded with false or half-truths on various social media platforms,' she said. Mariah also proposed that the state government consider forming smart partnerships with media organisations or through government-linked companies (GLCs) to sustain the media industry. 'SJA believes that such partnerships can ensure the media remains healthy and empowered to continue its responsibility of delivering credible information to society,' she said, adding that any long-term solution requires strong, committed entities. Mariah expressed appreciation to the Sabah government, noting that this year's KPA received RM110,000 in funding — an increase of RM10,000 from the previous year. 'We deeply appreciate the unwavering support from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor and the Sabah Government, which makes it possible for us to hold such a prestigious event,' she said. She also thanked Sabah's media community for their dedication: 'Tonight, we gather not only to recognise excellent works but also to celebrate the spirit of journalism. Behind every byline, photo credit, audio and visual recording, we too have our own stories of truth-telling, capturing moments with precision and writing with integrity.' On behalf of SJA, she appealed for increased sponsorship for next year's Kinabalu Press Awards. In a poignant gesture, Mariah shared the story of Stefyanie Myla — a former full-time reporter turned stringer to care for her ill two-year-old son. Inside each guest's goody bag was a packet of Beras Wangi rice sold by Stefyanie. 'This year, the committee decided to support Stefyanie by purchasing 100 packets of rice as gifts for our invited guests. It's a small gesture but filled with meaning, reminding us of the strength of our community and how we uplift one another in times of need,' she said. The awards ceremony was officiated by Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Tropicana launches home UPgrade contest with total of RM140k in prizes
TROPICANA Corporation has launched its 2025 sales campaign, Tropicana UPgrade, introducing a gamified virtual design contest that rewards creative participants with home UPgrade prizes worth up to RM140,000 in total, plus attractive deals and financing. Running from June 1 to Dec 31, the initiative encourages anyone in Malaysia — even those who don't own a Tropicana property — to try out Tropicana's one-of-a-kind digital experience, which allows them to create their own dream home. Featured Videos Participants begin by taking a personality-based quiz on the Tropicana UPgrade microsite, unlocking custom starter furniture based on their answers plus digital points. They can also earn digital points that can be used to decorate their own virtual living area using premium furnishings, appliances and smart home features. BUILD A DREAM SPACE Additional points can be earned through daily logins, referrals and interactive website-based minigames. Participants can further boost their quest for points by visiting Tropicana showrooms nationwide. Once their virtual space is fully designed, users may submit their entry to compete for the top prizes. One grand prize winner will receive a real-world lifestyle upgrade package worth RM80,000, with the option to select freely from a variety of furnishing, smart home tech and appliance options. Two sub-prize winners will each receive RM30,000 worth of upgrades, also with the option to mix and match from any category of their choice. The contest supports Tropicana's broader effort to showcase its spacious, tech-friendly property layouts while enhancing digital engagement with potential buyers through modern gamification mechanics. ATTRACTIVE FINANCING, EXCLUSIVE PROJECTS In addition to contest rewards, the campaign includes attractive financial incentives, offered under Tropicana's Upstanding Deals and UPside financing options. Buyers may enjoy interest rates as low as 3.7 per cent, up to 95 per cent (90 per cent + 5 per cent) loan margin and full coverage of legal fees*. Selected projects also come fully furnished units, with 100 per cent financing available*. The campaign covers key developments across Malaysia, including: Tropicana Aman, Varia Shop Offices A strategic commercial hub with access to over 600,000 existing residents near Kota Kemuning. Tropicana Metropark, SouthPlace 2 Residences & Shoppes Modern freehold, urban living in Subang Jaya with seamless green spaces and excellent highway connectivity. Tropicana Alam, Avisa Residences Spacious terrace homes in Puncak Alam surrounded by nature with lake views and easy access to DASH Highway. Tropicana Gardens, Edelweiss Shoppes Premium business address in Kota Damansara with direct MRT access and a large catchment area. Tropicana Grandhill, TwinPines Serviced Suites Freehold luxury serviced suites atop Genting Highlands, ideal for investment or exclusive retreats. Tropicana Paradise, Villa Lots Freehold villa land lots in Genting Highlands offering a tranquil, highland lifestyle with stunning mountain views. Tropicana Avalon, Breeze Hill Shoppes Exclusive freehold commercial units in Genting with high ceilings and limited availability. Tropicana Uplands, Fraser Heights Low-density freehold homes in Gelang Patah with lush greenery and proximity to Singapore. Lido Waterfront Boulevard, Skypark Kepler Freehold branded residences in Johor Bahru near RTS Link, furnished with luxury fittings. The first branded residence by Banyan Group, a global top-four property management company, in Johor Bahru. Those interested in joining the Tropicana UPgrade contest can visit this website.
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Taxing without reform: Why Malaysia's SST hike misses the mark — Tan Wei Siang
JUNE 30 — On July 1, 2025, Malaysians will begin paying more for a range of services as the government raises the Sales and Service Tax (SST) from 6 per cent to 8 per cent. Framed as part of the Madani Government's broader fiscal reform efforts, this move is projected to generate an additional RM3 billion annually. However, a deeper look reveals that this is less about meaningful reform and more about plugging short-term fiscal gaps. The SST hike may be the most visible tax adjustment since the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was repealed in 2018, but it is not a structural solution to Malaysia's longstanding fiscal challenges. The government justifies the increase by pointing to Malaysia's low tax-to-GDP ratio — about 11.8 per cent compared to Thailand's 16 per cent or Vietnam's 19 per cent — and its need to diversify revenue away from volatile petroleum sources. But the SST, by design, is narrow in scope, non-transparent, and prone to inefficiencies. Unlike the GST, which taxed consumption broadly with built-in mechanisms for input tax credits, the SST is a single-stage tax. This results in cascading effects, where businesses simply pass the hidden costs down the supply chain, ultimately inflating prices for consumers. Because the SST only applies to selected goods and services, a large portion of the economy remains untaxed. In an economy where the informal and shadow sectors are growing, this limited coverage raises questions about fairness and effectiveness. Many economists agree that Malaysia had a better system with GST, abandoned not because it failed in principle, but because it was poorly implemented. The GST was broad-based, efficient, and allowed for more accurate tracking of economic activity. Its input credit mechanism prevented tax-on-tax effects, and it aligned with international best practices. What it lacked was political and operational maturity: it was rolled out without strong public communication, and it was not paired with sufficient protections for lower- and middle-income households. Instead of fixing these shortcomings, the government of the day chose to scrap it entirely. Now, we are left with a weaker alternative that raises revenue less equitably. The Ministry of Finance has clarified that agricultural produce grown in Malaysia are not subject to sales tax under the expanded Sales and Service Tax. — Bernama pic The current administration has signalled that more tax changes are coming, including new luxury taxes and further subsidy rationalisation. But so far, these announcements have been scattered and lack a clear, time-bound roadmap. What Malaysia urgently needs is not just higher taxes, but a comprehensive and transparent fiscal reform strategy. The government should publicly commit to a timeline for phasing out blanket fuel and electricity subsidies, expanding targeted assistance, reforming income tax structures, and, if needed, reintroducing the GST in a way that is progressive and fair. Without these steps, Malaysia risks falling into a cycle of temporary fixes and long-term stagnation. The people of Malaysia are not resistant to reform. What they resist is uncertainty and the feeling that they are being asked to pay more without knowing where the money is going or how it will improve their lives. Fiscal responsibility is not simply about collecting more money from the public — it is about governing more transparently, spending more effectively, and building trust. The SST hike, taking effect on July 1, may raise revenue in the short term, but it does not constitute real reform. Without a transparent plan, bold political leadership, and clear accountability, the government risks losing the very trust it needs to implement future reforms. If the government is truly serious about building a sustainable, inclusive economy, it must stop relying on patchwork fixes. Malaysia cannot afford to raise taxes without also tackling leakages, rationalising subsidies, and laying down a concrete roadmap for structural change. The rakyat deserves more than ad hoc policies. They deserve a government with a long-term vision, the courage to make tough decisions, and the discipline to follow through. * Tan Wei Siang writes on economic policy, structural reform, and Malaysia's development agenda. He believes in honest governance, equitable growth, and long-term nation-building. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
