
MPMA Calls For Immediate Deferment Of SST Implementation
MPMA expresses serious concern over the lack of transparency and consultation in this decision-making process. Consultation is not a formality, it is essential. Policies made without industry input often fail to reflect practical realities, leading to unintended consequences such as reduced competitiveness, lower investor confidence, and broader economic instability.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
'It's our best': Sarawak brings signature products to penetrate the Singapore market at Malaysia Fest 2025
SINGAPORE (Bernama): Mi kolok, layer cakes, chocolates, white pepper, and black pepper were among the signature products from the Land of the Hornbills available at the Sarawak Pavilion at the Malaysia Fest 2025 expo currently taking place in Singapore until Sunday (Aug 3). Sarawak Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) Director Norsalawaty Abdul Kadir said these products have their own uniqueness, making them suitable not only for selling directly to visitors but also have export potential. "For example, the Borco branded chocolate from D Mummy's Recipe sold here are made of Bornean cocoa and comes in dabai (Borneo olive), empelajo, and sour brinjal flavours. These are fruit and vegetables grown in Sarawak. "Other markets might have chocolates that contain hazelnut or almond, but Sarawak has empelajo which has a richer taste than almond,' she told Bernama. Norsalawaty said five entrepreneurs from the state have been selected to participate in the Sarawak Pavilion at the expo. She said this first-ever participation by the Sarawak state government through the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED) has been well-received, and hoped that more aspiring entrepreneurs would take part in the expo next year. "We have also matched Sarawakian entrepreneurs and business people with exporters in Singapore. "All the entrepreneurs that we brought here are export ready, including in terms of production capacity, in addition to having the required certification such as halal certification,' she said. Norsalawaty said for the first time at this Malaysia Fest, FAMA had brought in 400 kilograms of citron from Sarawak to allow visitors to sample and enjoy the agricultural produce as part of the "Island of Tropical Fruits' segment. "For the time being, citron is not yet widely grown in Sarawak. If there is demand here, we hope it can motivate our farmers,' she said. FAMA had brought in about 10 tonnes of tropical and seasonal fruit to the expo this time. Jutaan Purnama Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Saiful Hammidi Hamid, said the company's products such as Purnama Taste branded mi kolok, mi kampua and mi pok are looking for opportunities to be exported to Singapore and the wider market. He believed Sarawakian products have their own market as well as able to penetrate the wider international market. "Our products are now marketed not just in Malaysia but also in Paris this year following our participation at the expo there. They have been very well received. We started small through cargo export and recently we started using containers,' he said. Malaysia Fest 2025 themed "Unlock The Treasures of Malaysia' is taking place from July 31 to August 3 at Hall 5A and 5B, Singapore Expo from 10 am to 10 pm. Organised by MegaXpress International with the cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through FAMA, the programme offers 321 booths and is participated in by 220 Malaysian entrepreneurial companies. - Bernama


The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Thailand agrees to Malaysia, US and China observers for GBC meeting in Kuala Lumpur
Japan's Ambassador to Thailand Otaka Masato reacts next to a woman, injured from an artillery shell that struck a 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station on July 24, which also resulted in multiple fatalities, as foreign military attaches from major powers and Asean member countries and diplomats from 23 countries inspect the site, following a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, in Sisaket province, Thailand, August 1, 2025. -- REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa BANGKOK (Bernama): Thailand has agreed to the inclusion of representatives from Malaysia, this year's Asean Chair, alongside the United States and China as observers at the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur next week. Acting Defence Minister General Natthapon Nakpanich welcomed the consensus on holding the extraordinary GBC meeting in Malaysia from August 4 to 7, expressing appreciation for the collaborative effort. "It is my pleasure to confirm that Thailand accepts the proposal to include representatives from Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair, US and China, who have been providing assistance since July 28, as observers to the GBC meeting,' he said in a statement. He added that the participation of observers from Malaysia, the United States, and China is scheduled to take place on August 7. Natthapon also expressed his sincere appreciation to all parties involved in making the preparations possible, particularly to the Malaysian side for its excellent coordination in arranging this important meeting. Last Thursday, Thailand's Defence Ministry proposed that the upcoming GBC meeting be held on neutral ground, suggesting Malaysia as the venue, and recommended that it run from Aug 4 to 7 to allow sufficient time for comprehensive discussions. Conflict at the Thai-Cambodian border began with a brief skirmish on May 28 and escalated into armed clashes on July 24. On Monday, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following a special meeting hosted in Putrajaya by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the current Asean Chair. - Bernama


Borneo Post
5 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Peace, stability enable Malaysia to act as mediator in regional conflicts, says Anwar
Anwar says the strength and stability of Malaysia's government have earned the nation international recognition, leading to its selection as the coordinator for ceasefire negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 2): Malaysia's peace and political stability have positioned the country as a credible mediator in facilitating reconciliation efforts between two Asean countries recently affected by conflict, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the strength and stability of Malaysia's government have earned the nation international recognition, leading to its selection as the coordinator for ceasefire negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia. 'The country remains peaceful because we have a strong government. Therefore, we must be cautious of any efforts aimed at weakening it. If the country were to fall into disarray, with constant conflict and political demands, who would come to us?' he said. Anwar made the remarks at the opening of the Mega 3D Carnival 2025 (MK3D 2025) at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today. Elaborating further, he said the Defence Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia are expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (August 4) to engage in negotiations and finalise matters related to maintaining peace along their shared borders. Anwar said the matter proves that Thailand and Cambodia remain in close contact with Malaysia in their efforts to achieve lasting peace. 'I asked about the latest developments, and (Cambodian Prime Minister) Hun Manet kept thanking Malaysia, informing me that there is no more fighting (with Thailand). 'He (Hun Manet) requested us (Malaysia) to help…Both the Thai and Cambodian Defence Ministers will be coming to Kuala Lumpur for talks starting Monday to formalise detailed security arrangements between the two countries,' he said. Anwar added that Malaysia's role in brokering the ceasefire talks between Thailand and Cambodia gained international attention, including from United States President Donald Trump, who personally contacted him to express gratitude for Malaysia's efforts. 'President Trump praised us for doing a 'fantastic job' in bringing Thailand and Cambodia together to reach a peace agreement…something that had proven difficult elsewhere. 'The first attempt at negotiations had limited success. President Trump had tried by phone. China also tried, and there was some success. 'So, Malaysia, through the Foreign Ministry and the Commander of the Armed Forces, took coordinated action. Eventually, the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia came to Malaysia, and within just two and a half hours, a ceasefire agreement was reached,' he said. Earlier reports confirmed that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following a Special Meeting in Putrajaya, with Malaysia acting as the official coordinator of the session. – Bernama Anwar Ibrahim cambodia conflict malaysia peace Thailand