Latest news with #BENGTATT
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Subsidised cooking oil misused for profit
Ready for collection: A hawker in George Town, Penang straining the used cooking oil as she pours it into a container to store before selling it. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star PETALING JAYA: Although only used cooking oil (UCO) is meant to be collected for biodiesel production, some collectors are openly purchasing unused cooking oil, raising concerns about subsidy abuse and profiteering. 'We can buy it from you, whether it's used or not. The oil doesn't need to be mixed either. We will just collect it,' said a collector based in the Klang Valley. ALSO READ: Syndicates greasing the system Checks with another collector in Selangor revealed similar practices. 'As long as there's no water in the oil, it can be sold,' the individual said. UCO prices vary depending on market demand, ranging from RM2.50 to RM4 per kg. However, this price window has also created opportunities for illicit gains, especially when subsidised cooking oil, sold at RM2.50 per 1kg packet, is falsely passed off as used oil. Subsidised cooking oil is limited to three packets per customer. Yet industry insiders say some collectors, especially those with access to subsidised oil quotas, may be taking advantage of the system. 'Some retailers may hoard subsidised oil and sell it at inflated prices,' one insider revealed. 'A carton can go for around RM51, meaning each packet costs about RM3, still cheaper than unsubsidised cooking oil, which sells for about RM6 per kg.' Another industry player raised concerns over the number of informal collectors operating in the market. 'People have the right to earn a living, but buying subsidised oil and reselling it at higher prices, that is something else,' the industry player said. According to the Association of Used Cooking Oil Development Malaysia, UCO is typically collected in bulk and transported to licensed depots for pretreatment before being sent to biodiesel manufacturers for conversion. The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification guidelines state that the degraded properties of UCO make it particularly suitable for specific biodiesel production processes. In contrast, unused or virgin cooking oil is not classified as waste, and its use in biofuel manufacturing undermines sustainability goals of transforming actual waste into energy.
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Medical tours may see a dip
Vulnerable position: Penang's medical tourism sector faces challenges due to new 6% service tax on foreign patients and weakening Indonesian rupiah. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Penang's healthcare travel may face challenges with the 6% service tax on foreign patients and the weakening Indonesian rupiah. Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said with over 90% of Penang's healthcare travellers coming from Indonesia, the impact could be significant. 'Given the depreciation of the Indonesian currency, many may begin to feel the pinch. 'Combined with the 6% service tax effective July 1, this can impact the number of foreign patients seeking private healthcare here.' On July 1, the Federal Government expanded the coverage of the sales and service tax. This 6% medical service tax applies only to foreigners seeking private healthcare here. In November last year, Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) reported that Malaysia saw 584,468 healthcare travellers arriving in the first six months of 2024. In the council's June 17 report this year: 'Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry – 2024 Performance Highlights', it noted that Penang hit a record by generating over RM1bil in healthcare travel revenue, adding to the national healthcare travel revenue of RM2.72bil. The council also said that Indonesians remain the largest group of healthcare travellers to Malaysia. Despite the expected slowdown, Gooi said Malaysia, particularly Penang, remains a key player in cross-border private healthcare. 'Malaysia offers world-class healthcare at affordable prices. Penang continues to attract foreign patients, especially from Indonesia, due to its high standards and close proximity.' The exchange rate on Thursday was RM1 to 3,844.67 Indonesian rupiah compared RM1 to 3,448.28 rupiah during the same period last year. Gooi added that affordability remains a major draw. He saw potential for growth with more direct international flights, particularly from China. 'More work needs to be done to promote private healthcare in Penang. 'We will collaborate closely with our private healthcare professionals to find new ways to attract more international patients. 'While it is still early to assess the impact, since the tax was only recently imposed, we will monitor the situation closely,' he said Gooi also said that during a recent meeting with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and state health excos, he proposed that the Federal Government consider remitting a portion of the 6% service tax to the states generating the revenue. 'I urged the ministry to consider channelling funds to states like Penang, which have worked hard to build up their healthcare travel sector. 'Almost half of the country's foreign healthcare travel revenue comes from Penang.' Gooi added that the funds could be used to improve Penang's public healthcare facilities and infrastructure, which contribute to the convenience of healthcare travellers from abroad. 'It will help keep us as a regional leader if the tax revenue is channelled back to us in some way,' he said.
The Star
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Parade blends elements of Penang and Japan
A show to remember: The Softbank Yosakoi Team One from Tokyo performing during the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025 at Esplanade in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: The Esplanade here came alive for the 10th edition of the Penang Yosakoi Parade 2025. Some 30 local and foreign teams, with over 1,200 dancers combined, took turns performing well-choreographed routines that had spectators cheering yesterday evening. Receiving a warm welcome were two Japanese professional Yosakoi troupes – SoftBank Yosakoi Team One from Tokyo and the Ioriwa Tokiwa Yosakoi Team from Nagoya – who performed here for the first time. Their local counterparts, hailing mostly from schools and institutions in Penang, Kedah, Perak, Johor, Perlis, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur, were equally impressive. Clad in unique costumes and waving giant flags, their numbers had elements of local culture. They also vied for the first-ever Yosakoi Awards, which were given out at the end of the night. Emi Yamazaki, one of the event's main organisers, said this edition – themed 'Inspired by Japan, Uniquely Penang' – showed that the parade has grown to an international standard and is something everyone can be proud of. Present to officiate the occasion were Consul-General of Japan in Penang Shinya Machida and Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai. Wong said the event exemplified the state's shift in strategy towards experience-led and community-driven tourism. 'This means investing in events, programmes and partnerships that invite people to do more than just visit. 'We want them to engage, participate and return home with stories that will stay with them,' he added. Yamazaki was also pleased to see the parade return to the Esplanade – where it was held annually from 2013 before shifting to Karpal Singh Drive from 2022 to 2024 – as they also wanted to promote Penang as a cultural heritage destination. 'With the City Hall, Town Hall and Fort Cornwallis as part of the parade backdrop, it showcased Penang's charms and will attract more foreign participation in years to come,' she added. The event was capped off with a Japanese idol concert featuring several popular groups.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Virologist: Stay vigilant during the school break
Mask up: Doctors are advising vigilance, urging mask wear and hand sanitising. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Malaysians have been urged to remain vigilant of Covid-19, especially during the coming school holidays. Virologist Dr Kumitaa Theva Das said usually, cases would hike when there are large gatherings, as the phenomenon increases the chances of the spread of the virus. 'For example, the spike in Thailand was attributed to the Songkran Festival in April. 'But since this JN.1 variant has been circulating for a while, we are not going to see 20,000 cases a day despite the school holidays,' she said. Dr Kumitaa, who is with Universiti Sains Malaysia, said the country's healthcare providers were also not expected to be overwhelmed. Experts surmise that JN.1, a descendant of the Omicron lineage, emerged two years ago in several countries, including Malaysia. She said the current spike in neighbouring countries, like Singapore, was due to the LF.7 and NB.1.8 variants, which are offshoots of JN.1. She said LF.7 was actually detected in Malaysia middle of last year. 'This means that many people may have been infected with it in the past and have immunity against it,' she said. She added that the public should always practice caution at all times and wear masks if necessary. 'If you have young children or elderly in your family, wearing a mask will help keep you safe, especially for the high-risk groups,' Dr Kumitaa said. Penang Hospital's infectious disease unit head Datuk Dr Chow Ting Soo said it was important for people not to drop their guard. 'We should always practice good cough etiquette and avoid public spaces when down with respiratory illnesses,' she said. Dr Chow said wearing masks and avoiding crowded areas were a must if one is immunocompromised or elderly. She also urged people to adopt proper hygiene practices and get their annual vaccinations. 'Now, we have the Covid-19 vaccine available at government health clinics. The elderly and those with comorbidities can get their appointments via the MySejahtera app,' she said. State health director Datuk Dr Fazilah Shaik Allaudin said that, according to the latest announcement from the Health Ministry on May 16, all states in Malaysia reported Covid-19 cases that fell below the warning threshold for the period spanning Epidemiological Week (EW) 16 to EW19/2025, which includes Penang. She said the ministry would continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation and will implement suitable preventative measures based on the current risk assessment. In Kedah, health committee chairman Mansor Zakaria said the situation was also under control. 'Cases recorded are not serious, and there is no indication that there will be an increase,' he said. Schools around the country will take a one-week break from May 29 to June 9.
