M'sian pays RM2.50 for one curry puff, gets almost no filling
As prices of certain goods are set to increase starting July 1, some vendors are already under fire for reducing portions — and one recent case has struck a nerve with Malaysians online.
A disgruntled customer recently took to Reddit's r/Bolehland community to share his disappointing experience after purchasing what he called an 'oxygen curry puff' — a curry puff that appeared to contain almost no filling.
In the 10-second video clip, the user showcased the inside of the snack, revealing a nearly hollow shell with barely any sign of potato.
He claimed he was charged RM2.50 for the item.
'RM2.50 per curry puff. End up with oxygen,' he wrote in frustration.
'I always laughed at those posts during Ramadan. Never thought I'd end up getting scammed like this too.
I hope to God this fella never sells kuih ever again.'
The post quickly gained traction, with fellow Redditors empathising and criticising the seller for short-changing customers.
'I pray these kinds of sellers have their daily routines ruined by bloating for every oxygen puff they sell,' one commenter said.
'The suffering should prolong for ruining people's mornings. Imagine biting into a hollow shell that reminds you of your wallet — that's real pain.'
Another user pointed out that accountability matters:
'Nothing wrong with calling out these vendors. If they can't sell decent food, they shouldn't be selling at all.'
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The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
‘Boost pension income through productivity'
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'To ensure the majority of Malaysians are able to achieve post-retirement financial security, boosting income through productivity enhancement and reskilling or upskilling programmes are among the top policy priorities.' His comments came on the heels of reports highlighting Malaysia's growing household debt and financial insecurity, with many unable to save adequately for retirement. Recently, former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim in an interview said Malaysians' real wages have shrunk almost threefold in four decades – he pointed out that based on simple calculations, the starting salary of a university graduate today is only around RM2,000 to RM3,000 a month – his starting salary was RM1,300 a month in 1984, so that's not much of an increase. 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With rising operational costs, including an imminent increase in the national minimum wage, manufacturers are accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies to maintain competitiveness and sustainability. Productivity, and in turn wages, can also be improved with automation, especially as Malaysia advances toward a high-income, digitally integrated economy. — 123rf According to the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) this shift is not merely reactive but strategic, with nearly half of surveyed companies already embracing automation and smart factory initiatives. Yet, while digital transformation enhances productivity and aligns with national goals under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, it also raises questions about wage equity and the future of work. For FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, automation and digital transformation have become crucial strategies for Malaysian manufacturers to adapt to rising labour costs and broader operational challenges. Through the adoption of smart technologies such as automation, system integration, robotics, IoT (Internet of Things) and data analytics, Soh says companies have significantly enhanced productivity and optimise resource use. He also refers to the to the FMM Business Conditions Survey 2H2024, in which it finds 44% of member companies have adopted factory automation and Industry 4.0 initiatives. "The main drivers for this shift are the pursuit of greater operational efficiency and productivity (cited by 60% of respondents) and the need to reduce operating costs (58%), clearly reflecting the industry's strategic focus on sustainable cost-saving and competitiveness-enhancing measures." Soh tells the Sunday Star that the survey findings also show that System Integration is the most widely adopted Industry 4.0 technology (63%), followed by Cloud Computing and Autonomous Robots (45% each), IoT (43%), and Big Data Analytics (34%). "These trends highlight an accelerating shift toward digitalisation, automation and connectivity, with manufacturers prioritising smart technologies to future-proof their operations and build resilience." He points that the digital transformation digital transformation momentum directly aligns with the goals of the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), particularly the Mission-Based Project (MBP) aimed at establishing 3,000 smart factories nationwide. "In support of this national agenda, FMM is playing an active role in encouraging and assisting manufacturers to embark on the smart factory journey. "FMM's initiatives include advocating for greater Government support through enhanced tax incentives, Industry 4.0 adoption grants, and workforce upskilling programmes, as well as providing capacity-building programmes, technical advisory services and knowledge-sharing platforms tailored to the needs of manufacturers, especially SMEs (small and medium entrepreneurs)." 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"There will be rising jobs and skills mismatches that will require re-skilling and upskilling programmes for the affected workers while ensuring the tertiary education institutions are able to supply the relevant skilled graduates to meet the changing industry demand," says Prof Yeah, who also sits on the Finance Minister's panel of special advisers. Yeah stresses that workplace restructuring and adoption of flexible compensation schemes and best practices in response to technology advancement – particularly the use of artificial intelligence, automation, and communication technology – are still crucial. 'This is to ensure employees are fairly remunerated and have job security that enables them to achieve financial security when they retire," he says. He adds besides enforcing policies to ensure fair compensation payment for retrenched employees and adequate employment insurance coverage, employers could be incentivised to undertake placement and reskilling programmes before undertaking automation-related retrenchment exercises. "Tax incentives could also be offered to affected employees to undergo upskilling programmes in collaboration with employers that require trained and experienced staff." The second phase of the mandatory increase in the minimum wage to RM1,700 for employers with fewer than five workers is set to take full effect in August. There have been concerns raised about this, such as wage compression and even the effectiveness of the minimum wage policy. In response, Prof Yeah says the minimum wage ensures that no employee receives an income below subsistence or poverty level. 'The minimum wage increase takes into consideration the rise in living costs as well as increases in labour productivity. 'The minimum wage increase will exert upward pressure on salary structures but adjustment varies by individual organisation's compensation structure, practices, and prevailing industry salary wage trends. 'With the rise in salaries, both employer and employee contribution to EPF will increase, resulting in faster accumulation of retirement savings.' He says although it adds to cost pressures faced by employers and businesses – amid worries from the impending Trump trade tariffs, expansion of the sales and service tax, and petrol subsidy rationalisation – only those that are unable to enhance productivity and profits will be negatively impacted. He notes that, 'with an increase in disposable income through wage increases, there will be stronger household spending that will in turn benefit businesses, although not equally across the various types of industries.'
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Earning, but still yearning
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She adds that 2024 saw a strong performance across the EPF portfolio, with a 1.5% increase in active employers to 614,600 and nearly 500,000 new member registrations. 'Total membership peaked at 16.2 million, with over half being active members. Meanwhile, total contributions increased by 15.0% to RM118bil. These trends underscore healthy labour market conditions and a sustained economic recovery in the post-Covid-19 period.' However, she notes that while early signs are promising, more time is needed to gauge long-term effects. 'We expect this positive momentum to continue into 2025, although it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions about the long-term effects of the minimum wage policy.' Hawati stresses the importance of moving towards a living wage – a wage that supports not just basic survival but a decent standard of living and future financial security. 'We emphasise the importance of achieving a living wage ... as advocated by the GEAR-uP initiative under the Madani economy framework. (Gear-uP is a Finance Ministry-led initiative to leverage government-linked investment companies to boost economic growth.) 'While the EPF is not directly involved in wage-setting, we consistently highlight that wage adjustments aligned with productivity gains are crucial for achieving adequate retirement savings.' Hawati stresses the importanceof moving towards a living wage, one that supports not just basic survival but a decent standard of living and future financial security. She acknowledges that some workers still earn below the minimum wage due to part-time or casual arrangements, not necessarily employer non-compliance. Hawati cites a study by Khazanah Research Institute that found minimum wage policies – first introduced in 2013 and revised four times since – have been the most effective intervention in boosting low-wage workers' earnings and reducing labour market inequality. Longer working years? Extending the retirement age to 65 has been long and widely discussed as a means to improve retirement savings adequacy. In a recent commentary, National Union of Bank Employees general secretary J. Solomon said: 'With the cost of living rising and many Malaysians having alarmingly low EPF balances, extending the retirement age to 65 offers a critical opportunity to build stronger retirement savings. It ensures a more dignified future and improves pension fund sustainability.' Taylor's Business School lecturers Dr Paul Anthony Mariadas and Dr Uma Murthy, in a 2023 commentary, said continued employment beyond age 60 could help individuals save more for retirement. However, it may also hinder career progression for younger workers. 'On the flip side, reduced job opportunities for younger workers can occur when older workers remain in the workforce longer. This can create challenges for younger workers who are entering the workforce or looking for new job opportunities,' they said. The Human Resources Ministry is currently reviewing the proposal to raise the retirement age from 60 to 65. The Malaysian Industrial, Commercial and Service Employers Association (MICSEA) has cautiously welcomed the review; it calls for strategic planning, especially for low-income and manual workers who may not benefit equally from extended employment. 'There should also be stronger statutory protections to protect younger and older workers, ensure fair treatment and improve hiring strategies for younger workers, while ensuring these efforts do not impact aged workers remaining in the workforce,' it said. Ongoing help Still, even if Malaysians work longer, are the current salary structures, especially the national minimum wage, enough to support a sustainable retirement? Hawati says the newly introduced Retirement Income Adequacy (RIA) framework allows EPF members and policymakers to evaluate whether current wage levels are sufficient for long-term retirement goals. 'The RIA framework is aligned with Belanjawanku, an expenditure guide that provides a cost-of-living reference for various household types. By setting clear savings benchmarks – basic, adequate, and enhanced – the framework links income with future needs, offering a practical tool for both individual planning and policy calibration.' She notes that RM390,000 is needed to cover basic post-retirement expenses such as food and essentials. 'This helps members visualise the savings required to meet their living costs, enabling them to work towards achieving sustainable retirement outcomes.' The Account Restructuring initiative introduced in May 2024 has also helped balance short-term needs with long-term adequacy. 'The introduction of the three-account structure contributed to an increase in the share of active formal sector members meeting the basic savings target by age – from 33.1% in December 2023 to 37.1% in December 2024. 'This suggests that a well- calibrated account structure can enhance retirement outcomes without compromising financial flexibility.' Additionally, EPF supports adequacy through real dividend returns. 'Our strategic target of delivering over 2% real dividend growth on a three-year rolling basis helps preserve members' purchasing power. "Together, these efforts – adequate wage calibration, clear savings benchmarks, and real returns – form the foundation for a more secure and inclusive retirement system,' says Hawati. Media in Arms is a media alliance comprising Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Daily, Malay daily Sinar Harian, Tamil newspaper Malaysia Nanban, local news broadcaster Astro Awani, and The Star.
Sinar Daily
17 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Batik revival faces identity and style challenge
KUALA LUMPUR - Since the mandatory implementation of batik attire among civil servants in 2023, this textile craft has experienced a resurgence, capturing the interest of various generations. Despite this growing popularity aligning with the government's aspiration to preserve and strengthen batik as part of the nation's cultural heritage, in reality, local support for Malaysian batik remains inconsistent and not yet deeply rooted in society. The mandatory implementation of batik attire for civil servants since 2023 has sparked a resurgence of interest in this traditional textile, aiming to preserve and strengthen Malaysian cultural heritage. - Bernama file photo Nearly three years into its weekly adoption by civil servants every Thursday-a practice that has since garnered interest from other sectors as well-Universiti Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman fashion lecturer Shabri Saad said that consumers still tend to favour batik from neighbouring countries over locally made ones. "Batik isn't just a pattern. It's an art form-wearable artwork. I appreciate all types of batik, whether from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China or Cambodia. But as Malaysians, we must uphold the art that originates from our own land. "If we don't support local batik artisans, I fear one day this craft will only exist in museums,' he said, adding that the preference for foreign batik is likely due to a lack of awareness and confusion surrounding the techniques, motifs, and true cultural value of batik. With more than two decades of experience in the batik world, Shabri noted that Malaysian batik-be it from Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, or Melaka-each carries a distinct beauty that must be preserved. For this reason, he believes that revitalising support for local batik cannot rest solely on government efforts, including initiatives by the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia). Instead, it must involve collaboration with all stakeholders, including NGOs, artists, and consumers. In this context, the Master of Design Technology holder highlighted the need for local batik to evolve, particularly in terms of design-moving away from overly dense and multicoloured motifs-as today's generation tends to prefer simpler, modern, and contemporary styles. "Young people want batik that's stylish, not something that looks like it's for uncles. A good batik design is one that makes the wearer look fresh and fashionable, without compromising on its cultural essence,' he said. He also recommended exploring more sophisticated colours that align with global fashion trends, such as toned-down hues, earthy tones, or pastels, which could help elevate Malaysian batik onto the global stage. Touching on pricing, Shabri noted that printed batik should not be completely dismissed, as it can serve as an entry point for the public to appreciate local batik designs and identity, especially considering its affordability compared to hand-drawn batik. "If we reject everything that's cheap, eventually even authentic batik will lose demand. With better understanding, appreciation for real batik will naturally grow,' he added. Meanwhile, 37-year-old civil servant Debby Lucas believes batik is more than just a meaningful cultural heritage-it is also a product of craftsmanship that requires patience, precision, and high creativity. "Each motif tells a story about nature, life, and community identity. In the past, batik was only worn to formal events, but now it's a modern fashion item suitable for the office or as a statement piece on the international stage,' she said, commending batik fashion designers who cater to young people's tastes. Faizah Ibrahim, 28, said price is not a major deterrent as there are still affordable batik options that match her personal style, including pieces she purchased from the Malaysian Prisons Department gallery. "I like batik made with dyeing techniques because it's comfortable, unique, and special-the patterns are one-of-a-kind. I also prefer tailoring my clothes over fast fashion because it looks neater, lasts longer, and is eco-friendly,' she said. - BERNAMA
