Covid-19 vigil: Prosecution drops appeal against acquittal
According to Selangor DAP women's wing secretary Nalina Nair, the prosecution dropped its appeal today after the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate Court ruled in 2023 that a prima facie case had not been established.
In 2021, Nalina (above, left) and Sujatra Jayaraj...
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New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Foreign hawkers still rampant at KL markets despite ban
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign workers are still rampant at Pudu Market and Kompleks Pasar Raja Bot, also known as Chow Kit Market, despite repeated warnings from Kuala Lumpur City Hall. A check by the New Straits Times found that nearly half of the stalls at both markets were manned by foreigners, mainly from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Myanmar. A butcher in Chow Kit, who has been trading since 1975, said foreign hawkers managed to operate by renting licences from locals. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said: "When the authorities come, the foreign hawkers run off and the licence holder takes over the stall to avoid getting caught or fined." It is learnt that some foreigners also sell live chickens and slaughter them on demand, which is a banned practice in the market. The butcher also said locals were often more demanding than foreigners, which contributed to the latter's growing presence. "I once hired a local worker, but he demanded extra pay and accommodation. Before leaving, he stole some money and my motorcycle," he claimed. "Foreigners won't do that, they work purely to earn," he added. At Pudu Market, many foreigners, particularly Bangladeshis, were still seen operating stalls as late as 1pm. A woman, who has worked there since 1995, said the number of foreign traders surged after the Covid-19 pandemic. "In the early 2000s, there were only two or three of them. After the pandemic, they started coming in large numbers," she said, preferring anonymity. She said their presence had affected local hawkers' business, as they drew customers by allegedly selling vegetables at cheaper prices. "They cheat during weighing. After it's done, they remove about 200g of the original amount, and that's not a small quantity," she claimed. Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said the long-standing ban on foreign hawkers and market traders in the city remained firmly enforced.
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Experts call for supply-side push in 13MP to strengthen market efficiency
KUALA LUMPUR: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) should place greater emphasis on addressing supply-side challenges to better manage the rising cost of living, economists said. They called for broader structural reforms to enhance market efficiency and ensure that inflation management efforts provide real relief for consumers. Universiti Malaya International Institute of Public Policy and Management adjunct professor Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob said that although the official inflation rate appears low, prices remain high due to structural factors triggered during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Prices increased during the pandemic and became embedded in the system," he said on a programme titled 13th Malaysia Plan: What it means for you and the nation, broadcast live on NST Online and Berita Harian digital platforms. "Even though inflation is now low, the cost of goods has not decreased because those higher prices are already built into the final products we consume." Sulaiman pointed out that the depreciation of the ringgit against the US dollar, driven by rising interest rates in the United States, has also contributed to higher prices for imported goods. He explained that monetary policy typically addresses inflation from the demand side through interest rate adjustments or exchange rate management, but the supply side is often overlooked. "For example, the food industry faces its own set of structural issues. That is why we need to promote modern farming to boost production and help bring prices down," he said. Sulaiman added that increasing production could lead to stock accumulation, which would eventually help ease prices. However, he noted that in sectors dominated by monopolies or cartels, such benefits are often undermined by market distortions. "In Malaysia, there are monopolies, collusion and cartels. These imperfections prevent the market from functioning efficiently and contribute to persistently high prices," he said. He stressed that tackling the cost of living requires a more balanced approach that includes both demand and supply-side reforms, especially in food and other essential goods. He also urged policymakers to go beyond monetary tools and consider reforms that strengthen production capacity and market competitiveness, particularly in sectors that affect everyday living costs. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said that in many cases, producers or businesses have little incentive to reduce prices, even after pandemic-related pressures have subsided. "This is the typical behaviour of firms or producers. They may think, why should I lower the price? Covid-19 is over, flight ticket prices have come down, but if I keep my price the same, people will still buy. Even if I raise it slightly, they will still buy. "So, at the business or export level, there is no push to reduce prices," he said. In view of this, Afzanizam said the government must play a role in injecting more competition into the market to drive prices down and expand consumer choice. "For instance, we used to rely solely on Touch 'n Go for toll payments. Now, other cards are accepted as well. That is an example of how breaking a monopoly can make the market more dynamic. The same principle can be applied to other sectors," he said. He added that increasing competition would help make prices more flexible and more responsive to actual production costs and consumer demand. He noted that, at present, prices tend to remain rigid and continue to rise despite improvements in the broader economic environment.
Malaysian Reserve
8 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Govt restructures egg subsidy to boost welfare initiatives
by AKMAR ANNUAR THE government will restructure its egg subsidy mechanism starting Aug 1, replacing the blanket subsidy with a more targeted approach that prioritises sustainability and long-term public welfare. The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) said the new framework is part of the phased subsidy rationalisation agenda under the Malaysia Madani initiative. To mitigate price pressures, the egg industry has agreed to introduce a special-grade egg category at more affordable prices. Competitive rates will also be made available through nationwide Agro Madani and Jualan Rahmah sales, including at outlets run by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and the Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP). KPKM said the savings generated from the revised subsidy scheme will be redirected to other welfare programmes aligned with Madani values. Between February 2022 and December 2024, the government spent nearly RM2.5 billion to subsidise eggs, primarily to stabilise supply and support the public during the Covid-19 pandemic and global supply disruptions. With current market conditions more stable, the ministry said it is now appropriate to implement a more focused model. 'The restructuring reflects our confidence in the industry's ability to maintain stable and sufficient egg production,' it said in a statement. To prevent profiteering, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) will continue monitoring compliance under the Price Control and Anti-profiteering Act 2011. 'Strict enforcement is necessary to ensure retail prices remain fair and reasonable for consumers,' the ministry added. The government said the decision to restructure the subsidy mechanism reflects its ongoing commitment to safeguarding public wellbeing. It also stated that the Madani administration remains attentive to the needs of the people and will continue to prioritise policies that deliver inclusive benefits across all segments of society.
