Latest news with #Filepic
The Star
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Discounted monthly parking in KL
Kuchai Entrepreneur Park residents used to receive up to three summonses a day for parking in front of their units. — Filepic KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is running a trial for its monthly parking pass, specially designed for mixed-development areas, in Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park. Seputeh People's Representative Council Zone 6 chairman Alvin T. Ariaratnam told StarMetro that residents were being offered a parking pass priced at RM70, which was a substantial discount compared to the original RM140 pass designated for suburban areas with activities. 'However, holders can only use the RM70 pass within Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park,' he said, adding that the trial project started on June 24. DBKL executive director (management) Nor Azlina Mohd Saad told StarMetro earlier that the price was agreed by both City Hall and Seputeh MP's office. She also said the trial would run for at least two weeks and a post-mortem would be conducted after the trial period. 'If the trial is successful, we will expand the initiative to other areas in Kuala Lumpur,' she said during a town hall session for DBKL's 2026 budget at Institut Latihan DBKL. She added that each residential unit could apply for only one pass. Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park is a mixed development area, parts of which have commercial units on the lower floors and residential units on the upper floors. In StarMetro's March 4 article 'Residents decry frequent summonses in Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park', residents were unhappy with DBKL issuing them parking summonses up to three times a day for parking outside the shophouses where they live. Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park Residents' Association advisor Banie Chin was reported as saying that the over 3,500 residents should be allowed to enjoy some parking fee exemptions. He had suggested that DBKL provided stickers for residents' vehicles so that enforcement personnel could refrain from issuing them summonses. 'DBKL could also consider establishing designated parking spots for residents. 'If this is not feasible, DBKL could consider reducing the rates for hourly parking and monthly parking pass,' he said. Currently, the hourly parking rate in Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park is RM1 per hour.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
RM6.7bil investment boost for Penang in first quarter
79% of investments in Penang are directed to the electrical and electronics sector. — Filepic PENANG has recorded RM6.7bil in approved manufacturing investment in the first quarter of the year, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow says. He said the state continued to show resilience and competitiveness as a leading investment destination amid global uncertainties and persistent trade tensions. 'The RM6.7bil secured in approved manufacturing investments represented 22% of Malaysia's total. Penang is the second highest contributor among all states. 'The investments stem from 36 approved manufacturing projects and are expected to create 4,577 new job opportunities, further strengthening Penang's position as an economic powerhouse,' he said during a press conference at Komtar. Of the total investments, Chow said 90%, or RM6.1bil, came from foreign sources. This, he said, reaffirmed Penang's position as a trusted global hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation. He added that the breakdown further reflected the state's industrial strength, with 79% of the investments directed to the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector and 15% to machinery and equipment. Chow says the investments in Penang underscore continued trust from the world's leading technology players. Chow noted that the United States led foreign investments with RM2.4bil, followed by Hong Kong (RM1.3bil) and Taiwan (RM1.1bil). The Padang Kota assemblyman said he remained optimistic about Penang's medium-to-long-term investment prospects, despite the uncertainties caused by US tariffs. 'InvestPenang, the state's investment promotion agency, continues to receive strong interest from global investors, both for new investments and reinvestments in Penang. 'We are currently filtering through these investor enquiries and hope they will yield positive results once due diligence is completed. 'This sustained interest echoes Penang's strong performance in 2024, with Singapore (RM4bil), the United States (RM2.9bil) and Taiwan (RM2.1bil) ranked as Penang's top investing economies,' said Chow. This, he noted, underscored continued trust from the world's leading technology players. He said the upward momentum was the result of Penang's consistent focus on building a resilient, innovation-driven economy. 'Our strategic positioning in the global supply chain is strengthened by the alignment of forward-looking policies, industrial infrastructure and a highly skilled talent pool. 'While we continue to excel in manufacturing, Penang is now advancing into high-value domains such as integrated circuit design, advanced packaging as well as precision equipment manufacturing to support the National Semiconductor Strategy. 'At the same time, we are nurturing emerging sectors, including medical technology and global business services to ensure broader, more sustainable growth,' he said. Chow said Penang remained firmly committed to unlocking new frontiers of economic opportunity. 'Our priorities are clear – to cultivate innovation, empower our workforce and build a resilient ecosystem that welcomes high-impact, transformative investments,' he added.
The Star
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Navigating hybrid payment future
IS technology a boon or bane? Which is king now – cash or cashless payments? Many of us are now used to paying online for products and services. While we were previously used to some form of online transactions such as those needed for booking hotel accommodation, the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the shift of many transactions and payments online. The catalyst was due in part to the fear of contagion from handling cash, and movement restrictions that resulted in online shopping being vital, besides the availability of more digital services. Once people experienced the convenience and efficiency of online transactions and digital payments, many continued to use them even after movement restrictions were lifted. In addition, the pandemic sped up the adoption and expansion of digital transactions in numerous areas such as food and grocery deliveries, virtual classrooms, telemedicine, virtual events and online applications for government services. Some people can now confidently step out of the house with just a smartphone to pay for everything they need. In this day and age, a person is more likely to make a U-turn if they accidentally leave their mobile phone, rather than their wallet, at home. A colleague shared that she had once wanted to buy lunch at a fast-food restaurant but then discovered she had left her wallet at home. Luckily she had her smartphone on her, and was able to pay for food using her digital wallet. Having cash alongside cashless payment methods is still necessary due to a weak Internet signal in some areas. — Filepic Personally, I still carry both my smartphone and wallet with cash whenever I step out of the house, as I find that having cash as backup is necessary. Several times, the Internet signal was so weak at the shop I was in that I had to resort to paying by cash. Another personal preference is to view physical copies of restaurant menus rather than the online versions that can be accessed through QR codes or web links. Online food menus are ideal for clarity and transparency, since the prices are listed and any form of personalisation (such as add-ons or omissions of certain ingredients) can be clearly stated. However, physical menus allow me to get a better understanding of the dishes, make side-by-side comparisons or even ask for recommendations from service staff. During my post-pandemic trips to London and Beijing, I appreciated how convenient it was to travel using the two cities' rail transport networks and pay via digital methods. The London rail network offers several convenient payment methods, including debit, credit and prepaid cards, and mobile devices. I was also impressed to see commuters simply tapping their smartwatches at platform gates to get in and out of the station – something not widely available in the Klang Valley. Using the same card or device to tap in and out for every journey within a day, or week, also allows the user to benefit from amount capping. This ensures they never pay more than a certain amount for their travel within that period. In Beijing, QR codes through WeChat or Alipay app is the de facto form of payment for its rail transit system. However, I read that Beijing's urban rail transit system completed its full network coverage as of mid-June this year. It now accepts contactless 'tap-and-go' payments from overseas-issued cards from the five major international card schemes including Mastercard, Visa and American Express. Ultimately, the debate between cash and cashless payments is not simply about choosing one over the other. Instead, it is about finding a balance that suits individual preferences, lifestyles and needs. While digital payments have brought convenience and efficiency, cash still holds value as a backup and in situations where technology falls short. As technology continues to evolve and redefine the way we conduct transactions, it is crucial to stay adaptable and mindful of both the pros and cons of each payment method. In the end, the 'king' of payments may not be one or the other, but a harmonious blend of both cash and cashless methods.
The Star
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Kajang, Putrajaya get five new on-demand service zones
Rapid KL's On-Demand service is introducing five new zones in Kajang and Putrajaya. — Filepic RAPID Bus Sdn Bhd has introduced five new zones under its Rapid KL On-Demand service, serving as feeder routes to the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines in Kajang and Putrajaya. Prasarana Malaysia Bhd group chief operating officer (operations) Amir Hamdan said the latest zone expansion targeted densely populated and rapidly developing urban areas. 'This is part of Rapid Bus' efforts to provide more flexible and convenient first-mile, last-mile travel solutions. 'In line with our commitment to sustainable mobility and promoting greater public transport usage, we will continue working to ensure the Rapid KL On-Demand service is more efficient and responsive to passenger demand,' he said in a statement, reported by Bernama. The zones available for booking via the Rapid On-Demand app include MRT Kwasa Sentral to Subang Bestari and Subang Skypark Terminal served by four vans, and MRT Semantan to Menara DBKL served by two vans. The MRT Metro Prima to Taman Beringin route will have three vans, while MRT Putrajaya Sentral to Precinct 1 has three and MRT Cyberjaya City Centre to the Cyberjaya area has five. According to the statement, this expansion brings the total number of On-Demand zones along the Kajang and Putrajaya lines to 16, with 46 vans in operation. Across the Klang Valley, the service now operates in 60 zones using 162 vans. The service offers guaranteed seating and is available for booking daily from 6am to 11.30pm via the Rapid On-Demand app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The promotional fare of RM1 per ride remains in place. Accepted payment methods include debit or credit, Touch 'n Go and Kad Konsesi MyRapid cards, as well as OKU Smile and unlimited travel passes like My50, MyCity, MyTourist and Family Pass. For details, go to Rapid KL's official social media platforms or
The Star
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Johor needs higher growth to achieve 2030 vision'
The RTS Link, a rail service between Johor Baru and Singapore, is expected to start on Jan 1, 2027. — Filepic JOHOR must achieve an average annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 8.36% to reach its target of becoming a developed state by 2030. State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said Johor's GDP in 2023 was RM148bil. He said it needed to grow to RM260bil within the next seven years to meet the Maju Johor 2030 agenda. 'This means Johor cannot afford to continue with a business-as-usual approach. 'We need a bold paradigm shift,' he said in his winding up speech during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar. He said this was why the state government had set up the Johor Economic Transformation Programme (JETP), Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and Forest City Special Financial Zone. 'JETP is a medium and long-term transformation plan to ensure Johor's economic development remains sustainable and inclusive by the year 2030. 'It is a component of the Maju Johor 2030 vision and is aligned with the 13th Malaysia Plan that will be tabled by the Federal Government,' he added. Lee pointed out how JETP supported efforts such as JS-SEZ, thereby forming a strong framework to ensure Johor remained globally competitive. He said a master plan was being developed with the Federal Government to ensure the zone delivered long-term higher value economic activities, local SME participation and talent development. 'We are committed to ensuring that Johor does not end up as a low-cost satellite for foreign firms. Value must be created here,' he stressed. Lee also said that JS-SEZ-linked projects included the Elevated Automated Rapid Transit as a feeder to the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link that is expected to begin operations on Jan 1, 2027. He revealed that Johor was working with the Federal Government on a regulatory sandbox model to test new policies in a controlled environment to speed up project implementation. On global trade risks, Lee warned of the negative effects of tariffs: 'The proposed US tariffs could directly impact Johor-made electronics, semiconductors and furniture. 'These sectors are closely tied to global demand, and any disruption will hit us hard. 'The tariffs could raise production costs, reduce export volumes and shrink profit margins.' He said Malaysia could end up receiving too many imported goods, especially because global trade routes and suppliers are changing due to factors like trade wars, sanctions and geopolitical shifts. 'We welcome the Federal Government's support to help cushion the impact of global uncertainties. 'From loan guarantees to anti-dumping measures, these steps will protect our industries and SMEs,' said Lee. Among the steps are RM1bil in loan guarantees under the Business Financing Guarantee Scheme, RM500mil in SME financing support, anti-dumping actions against unfair imports, and tighter control over Certificates of Origin for US-bound goods. Lee revealed that Johor was rapidly rising as a data centre hub, with 42 projects in various stages and 13 already operational. He also highlighted the Johor Talent Development Council's Job Fair X MyFutureJobs Johor 2025 held at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn in Batu Pahat for jobseekers. 'With a holistic strategy combining infrastructure development, technological innovation and market diversification, Johor is committed to long-term sustainable growth,' he said.
