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The Star
10 hours ago
- General
- The Star
Ensure cash aid gets to everyone who is eligible
A man checkinh his status application of 'Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah' via online. (17/7/2023). —AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star UNICEF'S 'Living on the Edge' study, conducted between October and November 2023 among low-cost households in Kuala Lumpur after the Covid-19 pandemic, is a treasure trove of evidence-based insights on the plight of poor households. The hardship and challenges they face, especially the vulnerable groups comprising heads of households with disability who earn a median monthly income of RM1,550, and female-headed households earning RM2,000 per month, are linked to their low income. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
The Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Zafrul: We will not cross ‘red lines'
Trade negotiations: Tengku Zafrul speaking at a press conference at Menara Miti in Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: As tariff negotiations with the United States go on, Malaysia has made it clear that it will not reach a deal just for the sake of it. 'If the deal does not benefit Malaysia, we should not have a deal. We have to be firm on that,' said Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. 'If we can reach a deal that on balance benefits Malaysia, benefits Malaysian companies, benefits Malaysians, then yes.' However, the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said not all issues are non-negotiable. On halal certification, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia is open to engaging with US exporters – but only if they comply with domestic requirements. 'They want to export their agricultural products. Right now, for example, we don't allow the import of beef and poultry from the US. They are asking why. 'But it's not a red line for us – we can allow it, as long as their products meet our standards,' he said. However, issues related to legal and policy sovereignty are off the table, he said. 'We discussed our right to impose a digital tax. That is one of our red lines, and we view it as our sovereign right,' he said. Other red lines include newly passed laws on digital commerce, government procurement and standards tied to health or technical matters. Malaysia, he said, needs to be more competitive and innovative in the face of challenges brought about by the United States' decision to slap a 25% tariff on goods. To that end, the government is focused on strengthening the domestic business ecosystem, diversifying trade links and improving export capabilities. 'Malaysia has to continue to focus on improving the strength of our companies and the fundamentals of our economy. That is what's going to drive Malaysia,' he said, adding that broader trade strategies – including the National Industrial Master Plan (NIMP), National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and the upcoming National Semiconductor Strategy – remain key priorities. He said Malaysia is already drawing up mitigation measures to respond to global trade shifts. 'We need to be more competitive and innovative. We need to ensure that we move up the value chain to sustain our growth,' he said. Tengku Zafrul pointed out that Malaysia's trade-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio last year stood at 150%. The United States accounts for roughly 15% of Malaysia's total trade – with about RM200bil in exports alone last year. Despite the uncertainties, he said Malaysia's official GDP growth forecast remains unchanged at between 4.5% and 5.5%. He said Malaysia is taking a measured approach in the ongoing tariff negotiations, mindful of broader economic implications and existing trade commitments. 'Looking at our country's economy and our policies, we have achieved the kind of growth that we have today because of the balance in supporting key industries. 'Whatever we give to the United States, we need to give to the rest. We have Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). So we have to be fair to all the countries, not just the one country that does 15% of our total trade. There's another 85%,' he said. Malaysia's applied tariff rate on US imports already stands at 5.6%. 'How low can we go?' he added. 'Most companies are worried. Naturally, they will speed up some exports and also increase inventory. 'We will continue (the negotiations) where we stopped. We were actually in the midst of asking for an extension. That's the truth,' he said. 'When you negotiate, the devil is in the details. So that is where sometimes time is required.'
The Star
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Swift action key to price stability'
Subject to tax: Fruits for sale at shops in Petaling Jaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star PUTRAJAYA: Among ways to prevent unnecessary price hikes is to strengthen existing mechanisms for price monitoring and enforcement, says a consumer rights activist. Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) secretary-general Saravanan Thambirajah said this is one of the most immediate actions the government could take. 'When prices of essential items are being hiked up arbitrarily or without justification, there must be swift investigation and enforcement by the authorities. 'The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's call for consumer associations to serve as its eyes and ears is a good initiative, but it will only be effective if reports from the ground lead to real action,' he said. Saravanan added that the government must focus on transparency to prevent the public from becoming victims of inflated prices or being wrongly taxed. 'When consumers know the market price of goods, they are in a better position to make informed choices. 'Fomca has begun receiving feedback from consumers regarding price hikes associated with the recent increase in the SST (sales and service tax) from 6% to 8%. 'Consumers are still confused about which products and services are affected. 'This confusion creates a fertile ground for abuse. Some traders may raise prices unjustifiably, citing the tax increase as the reason, even for items that are not actually taxed,' he added. Saravanan said Fomca's role was not only to inform and educate consumers on their rights but also to relay their concerns to the relevant enforcement bodies. 'For the mechanism to work well, consistent and visible enforcement is needed to ensure traders do not misuse the sales tax revision as a pretext for profiteering,' said Saravanan. Similarly, Malaysian Consumer Friendly Organisation vice-president Azlin Othman said the government should monitor logistics costs as well as establish a more balanced tax policy and make regular inspections at business premises. 'Quick and consistent action is important to protect consumers and maintain price stability,' said Azlin. Consumers' Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kadeer said stronger enforcement was needed instead of waiting at the last moment for consumers to lodge complaints of getting cheated. 'The government should set up help desks or mobile units to proactively receive feedback. 'Traders who cheat consumers must be brought to court and face the maximum penalty,' added Mohideen.
The Star
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Federal Court rules in favour of IRB in tax appeal against TNB
The Inland Revenue Board logo seen at its branch in Damansara Perdana. - AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Court today allowed the Inland Revenue Board's (IRB) appeal to reinstate an additional tax assessment of RM1.25bil against Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) for the 2018 assessment year, following a penalty remission from the original RM1.8bil notice. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the utility giant said the Federal Court allowed the IRB's appeal against earlier decisions by the High Court and Court of Appeal, which had favoured TNB's judicial review to set aside the tax notice. TNB said it is currently assessing the full impact of the decision. The Federal Court held that as a utility company, the applicable schedule is 7B, namely Investment Allowance, instead of 7A Reinvestment Allowance. Accordingly, in light of the Federal Court's decision, TNB will be pursuing to claim for the Investment Allowance under Schedule 7B. 'This decision has a potential negative financial impact on the earnings and net assets of the company and group for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2025. However, the decision is not expected to have any operational impact on the company and group,' TNB said. The case originated when, on July 3, 2020, the IRB through a letter informed TNB that the RA that it had claimed for the year of assessment 2018 was disallowed and then issued a notice of additional assessment on July 7, 2020, to the amount of RM1.812bil. Subsequently, TNB filed a judicial review that same year over the imposition of the RM1.812bil as an additional assessment to be paid by the national utility company. However, this sum has been reduced to RM1.25bil at a discounted rate.
The Star
22-06-2025
- The Star
‘Parents should be held accountable'
Risky behaviour: A teenager seen riding a motorcycle. Despite 16 being the minimum age to obtain a license, many teenagers can be seen riding around the country. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star PETALING JAYA: Despite alarming numbers of children riding motorcycles and thousands of underage deaths recorded over the years, warnings alone have proven ineffective – largely due to poor parental oversight and lax enforcement, says the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). Suhakam Children's Commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said enforcement efforts are often futile without stronger laws to hold parents accountable and address socio-economic factors driving the trend in rural areas. The findings was based on the government-run Diversion pilot project between 2019-2022 in Port Dickson, Seremban and Sepang, she said. 'I did the implementation study and later the evaluation study. The police from the traffic division and Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK) both attest to parents' attitude towards child safety were lax,' she said. The issue resurfaced following a tragic accident in Johor on Friday, where a 14-year-old motorcyclist caused a friend's death after being flung under a lorry. Farah Nini said the situation around the issue is difficult, especially in many situations when riding a motorcycle to school is a necessity in areas where public transport is not available and transportation is expensive. In Shah Alam alone, it costs a child RM20 for a short trip, she said adding that passing laws is easy but enforcing them is another story. In Malaysia, the minimum age to obtain a motorcycle licence is 16 years old. This applies to classes A, B2, B, and C licenses. For class A1, D, and DA car licences, the minimum age is 17. Previously Farah Nini said that in a span of 13 years, about 2,900 underage persons have died while riding motorcycles. With such high numbers, there have been calls to amend the laws to require more accountability from both the children and parents for flouting the law. Suhakam Commissioner Ragunath Kesavan pointed out there is insufficient enforcement of Section 26 (1) RTA 1987, especially among unlicensed drivers or motorcyclists, as well as basikal lajak and Mat Rempits. On whether existing laws should be amended to make parents more accountable for allowing minors to ride vehicles, he said the punishment can be made more severe to allow accountability. 'There was a lack of education about the issue, which is the cause behind the rampant disobedience of the law. 'There should be strict enforcement of the existing laws, but at the same time it is very difficult to enforce,' said the former Bar Council chairman. Asked whether parents should be held for negligence under the Child Act 2001 for allowing their children to ride on motorcycles, Ragunath said there were sufficient laws in place to address the matter. Meanwhile, Malaysian Council For Child Welfare chairman Datuk Dr Raj Abdul Karim said it was high time that parents be held accountable for negligence under the Child Act 2001 if they fail to safeguard their children who ride motorcycles illegally. She said the onus is on parents as they hold the main responsibility in caring and informing their underaged children about the dangers of riding. 'Parents should take precautionary measures and be vigilant by ensuring the keys are not accessible to their children or allowing them to ride the bikes to nearby destinations. 'There is a reason children are not allowed to ride motorcycles because their reflexes have not fully developed, as such they cannot react in time,' she told The Star. Dr Raj also called on schools to take more responsibility by checking students who come in on motorcycles and teach them about road safety. She said that schools can adopt a buddy system, pairing up troubled students with a big brother to guide them to the right path. She also recommended that children who break the law be sentenced to community service as a means of punishment and to learn from their mistakes. In late 2023, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that his ministry will conduct a review on fines against underage drivers, as stipulated under the Road Transport Act 1987.
