Latest news with #FirdausLatif
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Cops shut down ‘Turun Anwar' stage at Dataran Merdeka over safety, lack of DBKL approval
Protesters gather during the 'Turun Anwar' rally at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur on July 26, 2025. — Picture by Firdaus Latif/Malay Mail KUALA LUMPUR (July 26): Police instructed Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to dismantle the main stage set up at Dataran Merdeka for an event today, citing safety concerns and lack of approval. Acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said the structure was erected without permission from DBKL or a formal application from the organisers. 'The stage structure did not guarantee safety, and the police were not informed of how many people would be on the stage,' he told reporters via Whatsapp. Mohamed Usuf said that police and the organisers had initially agreed to use two Hilux vehicles as a makeshift stage. Thousands of protestors gathered in central Kuala Lumpur this afternoon to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The demonstration began outside Sogo and Pertama Complex and is expected to move towards Dataran Merdeka after 1pm. – Malay Mail Dataran Merdeka DBKL lead Perhimpunan Turun Anwar shutdown
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Protesters gather, chant ‘Turun Anwar' as rally kicks off in downtown KL
Protesters gather during the 'Turun Anwar' rally at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur July 26, 2025. — Picture by Firdaus Latif/Malay Mail KUALA LUMPUR (July 26): Protesters have started to gather in the heart of Kuala Lumpur for the 'Perhimpunan Turun Anwar' rally. At the Sogo supermarket, people began to gather as early as 10am and had swelled to a few hundred people by 11.45am. They were seen predominantly clad in black, carrying Palestinian flags, and chanting 'Turun Anwar' and 'Turun Hari Ini'. At Masjid Jamek, similar scenes were observed, although the group there was not as large as at Sogo. The protesters were being led by an emcee who coordinated the chants. They could be heard calling for Anwar's resignation. Some participants also brought up the Sabah scandal, calling for the resignation of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Other areas in Kuala Lumpur also saw groups gathering to march to Dataran Merdeka at 2pm. No untoward incidents have been reported so far. The plan was for the procession to reach Dataran Merdeka, followed by speeches from PAS leaders such as Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is also expected to deliver a speech at 5pm. There is a heavy police presence at all hotspots, with guards seen stationed and access to Masjid Negara sealed. Outside the Masjid Jamek LRT station, police could be seen directing rallygoers to stand by the side and to watch where they were walking so as not to be hit by vehicles. Chants of 'Hidup, Hidup! Hidup Rakyat!' and 'Turun, Turun! Turun Anwar!' were continuously heard. Individuals helping to coordinate the rally were also heard asking participants where they were from. Chants of 'Kedah', 'Johor', and 'Melaka' echoed in response. The rallygoers are expected to march to Dataran Merdeka at 1pm. – Malay Mail Perhimpunan Turun Anwar protest rally
Daily Express
20-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
No reason for price hike as refined sugar remains exempt from SST, Finance Ministry tells MSM
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Packets of sugar are stacked on shelves at a supermarket in Kuala Lumpur October 16, 2024. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Kuala Lumpur: Refined sugar (or commonly known as white sugar) remains tax-free under the revised Sales and Service Tax (SST) that will take effect on July 1, 2025, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The MOF said in a statement today that raw sugar used in the production of refined sugar would be subject to a five per cent sales tax. Advertisement 'However, as previously announced, manufacturers such as MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd are eligible to apply for tax exemption on their raw materials and inputs. 'Hence, there is no reason for any increase in the price of refined sugar — especially since sugar refiners like MSM continue to receive monthly incentives from the government to ensure supply and price stability,' the MOF said. The MOF said this to clarify a statement issued by MSM regarding the impact of the sales tax revision on raw sugar. The ministry said the Madani Government has taken a targeted approach by not imposing taxes on essential goods such as sugar, salt, chicken, eggs, meat, fish, vegetables, cooking oil and rice. Advertisement 'This is to ensure that the majority of the people will not be affected by the SST revision,' it said. The MOF said sugar refiners and manufacturers in Malaysia can apply to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department for tax exemptions as provided for under Item 1, Column (2), Schedule B of the Sales Tax (Persons Exempt from Payment of Tax) Order. Yesterday, it was reported that national refined sugar producer MSM is reviewing the five per cent extension of SST involving raw sugar and is seeking further clarification from the government to monitor the impact on the prices of regulated goods. According to the MSM group chief executive officer, the retail price of sugar in Malaysia has been capped at RM2.85 per kilogramme since 2011, despite the global raw sugar price increasing in recent years. He said that if the tax was imposed on raw sugar, the country's refined sugar producers could pass on the cost to the industry. 'However, we cannot do that for sugar because it is under price control,' he said, adding that 75 to 80 per cent of MSM's production costs come from raw sugar. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
15-05-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Malaysia's birth rate hits record low in Q1 2025, but Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang buck baby bust
Published on: Thursday, May 15, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 15, 2025 By: Malay Mail Text Size: Fewer babies were born in Malaysia in the first quarter of 2025. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's birth rate has plunged to its lowest level on record, with just 93,500 babies born in the first quarter of 2025 – an 11.5 per cent drop compared to the same period last year. Data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) released yesterday showed declining birth numbers, except in three states: Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang. Advertisement The three east coast states in the peninsula have total fertility rates (TFRs) above the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. 'Only Terengganu, Kelantan, and Pahang are recording a TFR above the replacement level,' Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said in a Facebook video presentation announcing Malaysia's population statistics. Terengganu has the highest fertility rate at 2.9, followed by Kelantan at 2.7, and Pahang at 2.1. Penang and Kuala Lumpur have the lowest TFRs at just 1.2 children per woman, while Sabah, once among the highest, has fallen to 1.4. 'Sabah recorded the fastest declining TFR, with 5.5 children in 1980 and 1.4 children in 2022,' Mohd Uzir said. The overall decline reflects a deeper fertility crisis affecting almost all states and ethnic groups. 'On average, one baby was born every minute, 43 babies per hour, and 1,039 babies daily during the first quarter of 2025,' Mohd Uzir said in his presentation. He added that TFR for all main ethnic groups has been declining, with only the Malay group reaching the replacement rate at 2.1. The ethnic Chinese community recorded the lowest fertility at just 0.8 children per woman. The national average household size has also shrunk to 3.7 persons, down from 5.5 in 1970. Perlis now has the smallest households at 3.1 people, while Kelantan has the largest at 4.8. Boys outnumber girls A total of 48,124 boys were born in the first quarter of the year compared to 45,376 girls born, putting the sex ratio at 106 males for every 100 females. Selangor recorded the highest number of births with 18,254 babies, while Labuan saw the lowest at just 278. Most mothers were between the ages of 30 and 39, accounting for 53.3 per cent of births. Mothers aged 20 to 29 contributed to 39.3 per cent, while those aged 40 and above made up 6 per cent. Only 1.4 per cent of births were to mothers below the age of 20, and three mothers were aged 55 or older. In terms of ethnicity, Malay births rose slightly to 68.8 per cent, or 64,326 babies. Other Bumiputera births increased to 12.6 per cent, while ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian births dropped to 8.6 per cent and 3.8 per cent respectively. Malaysia's population is now estimated at 34.2 million, growing at a slower rate of 0.9 per cent compared to 2.0 per cent in the same quarter last year. A total of 48,130 deaths were recorded in the first quarter of the year, down from 49,117 compared to the same period in 2024. Selangor also had the most deaths at 7,710, while Putrajaya recorded the fewest at just 84. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
29-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Putra Heights fire victims receive RM212,000 relief from Central Spectrum and collaborators
Published on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Central Spectrum (M) Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with 15 corporate partners, has contributed RM212,000 to support victims of the recent gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights. — Picture by Firdaus Latif KLANG: Central Spectrum (M) Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with 15 corporate partners, has contributed RM212,000 to support victims of the recent gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, as part of its commitment to societal well-being. Central Spectrum chief executive officer Mohd Zapi Abdullah said the contribution will be channelled directly to Tabung Selangor Prihatin to provide vital assistance to affected residents and their families. 'Our collective contribution of RM212,000 is a reflection of our deep commitment to standing with the community during difficult times. 'It is during moments like these that unity, compassion and swift action truly matter,' he told Bernama during Central Spectrum's Raya Open House 2025 at its Sales Gallery in Pulau Indah here yesterday. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was also present at the event, alongside community members, corporate partners and dignitaries. The fire incident on April 1 destroyed 81 homes with structural damage exceeding 40 per cent, while 81 homes were partially destroyed. Another 57 homes were impacted but not burned, and 218 homes, including those in Kampung Tengah, Puchong, were unaffected. In line with its tradition of community care, Central Spectrum also presented duit raya to students from Maahad Tahfiz Darul Furqon, Pulau Indah, to bring festive cheer and reaffirm its commitment to nurturing future generations. Mohd Zapi also announced upcoming developments, including a waterfront residential project at Laguna Park and a logistics gateway in Precinct 1B, Pulau Indah. 'These projects are set to drive growth and innovation across Pulau Indah over the next four years. With a steadfast focus on community empowerment, sustainable development, and humanitarian impact, Central Spectrum continues to shape a future where business success goes hand-in-hand with social responsibility,' he said. Central Spectrum, a subsidiary of Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), is the master developer behind key projects including Pulau Indah Industrial Park, Selangor Halal Hub, and SBB Industrial Park, positioning Pulau Indah as a thriving hub for industrial, residential, and commercial growth. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
