Latest news with #Govindasamy
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- The Citizen
WATCH: Cable thieves die, cause power outage in Lotus Park
A PAIR of cable thieves burnt to death at around 04:00 in Lotus Park when they allegedly tampered with a power box on Cocos Avenue, plunging residents of the area and surrounding vicinity into darkness. Also read: Cigarettes blamed for Doonside bin fires According to Dhevan Govindasamy, spokesperson for PT Alarms, eThekwini firefighters doused the burning power box and police thereafter commenced with investigations. Govindasamy said the security company's response teams and ambulance services attended to the grim scene of the two men already dead, having suffered extensive burns. 'It is believed that the men were tampering with a power box when they were electrocuted and burned to death,' Govindasamy said. Ward 90 councillor Shad Nowbuth explained that the vandalism and subsequent explosion of the Cocos Avenue mini-substation affected a further six substations from Cocos Avenue to Tipuana Crescent. He said that the substation has been isolated to allow for repair work to commence. 'Most of Isipingo Rail, including Isipingo Hills, Malaba Hills, Pilgrim informal settlement and Isipingo CBD will be off due to separate faults. Several cable faults have been identified, including that of Redbro Substation, resulting in several other substations being off,' said Nowbuth. He added that depot staff will be attending to the outages and electricity should be restored later this evening. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Star
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Bang for your buck no more?
Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners' Association (Primas) president J. Govindasamy Price of popular fare to rise amid soaring operating costs PETALING JAYA: Prices of banana leaf meals, tomyam and fried rice are likely to go up by month's end as eateries are buckling under rising operating costs. Industry leaders say the combined impact of higher prices for ingredients, logistics, labour and new energy tariffs is pushing many establishments to the brink. Some are saying that the hike in prices could be between 10sen and 50sen depending on the dish and the location of the eatery. Malaysian Indian Restaurant Operators Association (Primas) president Datuk J. Govindasamy ( pic ) said many members have tried to maintain their prices in spite of escalating costs, but this is no longer possible. ALSO READ: 'Govt ready to clamp down on arbitrary hikes' 'Operators are facing sharp hikes in the cost of rice, cooking oil, spices and other essentials. 'We've tried to hold back, but with electricity bills also expected to go up this month, many simply can't sustain it any longer.' Govindasamy noted that restaurants have been cooperating with the Dom-estic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to maintain prices, but the latest wave of cost increases – particularly with the Sales and Service Tax (SST) now covering a wider range of goods – is proving too much to bear. 'While prepared food is not taxed under SST, many of our supplies now are. ALSO READ: Sales tax not the sole cause behind bitter hit 'That includes cleaning items like detergents and napkins, which are essential to daily operations,' he explained. He added that ingredients, which were previously exempt from SST, are now subject to rates of 6% or even 8%, depending on the supplier. 'These costs add up quickly and are eating into already-thin margins,' he said, adding that many restaurants are closely monitoring the situation and may adjust prices from mid-July to early August as new supply orders are placed. ALSO READ: Johor restaurants to weigh impact of SST expansion first He noted that SST is now also applied to rent and utilities, compounding the financial burden on operators. Primas represents some 1,500 Indian restaurants across the country. Govindasamy also suggested that the government consider reintroducing the Goods and Services Tax, which he said is a more structured system with input tax credits. Tomyam restaurant owners are also saying they would meet this month to decide on raising prices, according to Pertubuhan Sahabat Tomyam Prihatin SeMalaysia adviser Che Mamad Che Mod. 'Prices of raw ingredients have already gone up by 10% to 20% since the start of the year – even before the expected increase in gas prices. 'Vegetables like kangkung and kailan are now selling for RM7 to RM9 per kg, compared to just RM2.50 and RM4.60 previously. It's difficult to find kangkung for under RM4 these days,' he added. Although there are over 1,000 tomyam eateries across the country, most operators have so far resisted raising prices. 'Last year, we agreed to hold back any increase out of concern for the public. If we're struggling, others must be struggling more. We slashed our margins to support the government's efforts.' But this year, Che Mamad said operational costs have climbed across the board – from ingredients to utilities to staff, which includes permit fees, insurance, EPF and Socso contributions for migrant workers.
The Star
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Short-staffed restauranters urge govt to expedite intake of foreign workers
PETALING JAYA: The government should reopen and expedite the intake of foreign workers for the food and beverage industry, the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas) urges. Primas president Datuk J. Govindasamy said the industry is facing an acute foreign workers shortage, which is affecting service quality, hygiene, compliance and operational capacity of restaurants. "Many restaurants are forced to reduce hours, cut menu items and in some cases shut down entirely," said Govindasamy in a statement on Thursday (July 3). "Indian restaurants play a crucial role in serving the people, especially the B40 group and without workers, even staple dishes such as roti canai are becoming difficult to serve. He said increasing the sales and service tax (SST) without addressing worker shortages was counterproductive. "With Visit Malaysia 2026 fast approaching, the F & B sector must be ready to provide top service to tourists and cleanliness, efficiency and hospitality depend on adequate manpower, which cannot be secured last minute. Primas has urged the government to fast-track the intake of foreign workers and recognise the role of the F&B sector as a major revenue earner for the country.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Fuming MPs put SAFA through the wringer over Teboho Mokoena yellow card gaffe
Teboho Mokoena celebrates after scoring a goal Teboho Mokoena celebrates after scoring a goal during Bafana Bafana's Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 football match against Morocco. Photo: Sia Kambou/AFP Prominent Pietermaritzburg lawyer and sports administrator Poobalan 'Poobie' Govindasamy has stepped into the fray to rescue the South African Football Association (Safa) as it faced relentless criticism from the parliamentary sports portfolio committee. Govindasamy, SAFA's head of legal, was part of the national football delegation that endured a barrage of questions from fuming members on Wednesday. Their concerns were about governance, operations, and overall performance in promoting the sport on both local and international stages. However, a matter that had members seething with anger was the shocking yellow card bungle. As a result, the increasingly popular national team, Bafana Bafana, found itself at the centre of controversy. A few months ago, star midfielder Teboho Mokoena, featured in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, despite being suspended due to accumulating yellow cards. The issue sparked a wave of anger among MPs who questioned the team's management competency in handling player eligibility and disciplinary protocols. This gaff has South Africa standing on the brink of losing three crucial points in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers. This unprecedented bungle could thwart their aspirations for qualification outside of a World Cup hosted on home soil, a feat they last achieved back in 2002. MPs David Kgabo and Athol Trollip demanded clarity on why Safa has not held the responsible parties accountable for their actions and demanded the names of the people responsible. Govindasamy said it was the duty of the team manager, Vincent Tseka, to provide the information to the team ahead of the match. 'I understand the position of Teboho Mokoena's case. The match commissioner from Mauritius, appointed by FIFA and CAF, had not received a suspension letter notifying of Mokoena's situation. It was also not sent to SAFA and the match commissioner (the question of the two yellow cards),' he said. 'He played innocently, and it was only subsequently that the information came to light.' After MPs called for disciplinary steps against Tseka, Govindasamy said SAFA was at a standstill regarding potential action against Tseka, as it awaits crucial information from FIFA. Govindasamy explained the association cannot take any decisive steps until FIFA concludes its investigation into the matter. Govindasamy explained that the ongoing inquiry is a complex one, deeply tied to procedural oversights. 'With due respect, the matter is still under investigation (by FIFA),' Govindasamy replied. 'We've not received the final word on it. "When FIFA makes the decision, only then will Safa's investigation be completed. The investigation is currently incomplete. 'I think the problem was that FIFA, CAF and the match commissioner were not informed of the yellow cards. When you go to the match commissioner's meeting (before the start of a match), that's when you're alerted to this. 'Even Safa was not officially alerted of Mokoena's two yellow cards. It came up after the match.' SAFA president Danny Jordaan also stepped into the fray and promised that SAFA will take action after FIFA decides the matter. 'There will be accountability, but we must wait for all the reports to come in. 'If you act against any staff member, they have the right to take up the matter (in court). Our position is clear: we will defend the position on the side of what is right, but unfortunately, we cannot do that at this stage. 'We can plead that you give us some space so we can deal with the matter,' said Jordaan.
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Forum: Two port pioneers deserve recognition
I refer to the article 'Remembering the pioneers who built Singapore' by Michael Han, May 19. I wish to highlight two other significant yet often overlooked pioneers who helped shape Singapore's early port operations: B. Govindasamy Chettiar and S.L. Perumal. In 1930, Govindasamy Chettiar, known also as Kottai Govindasamy Chettiar, co-founded the Indian Labour Company with Mohammed Yusof, supplying lascars (Indian sailors), stevedores and wharf workers. He became one of Singapore Harbour Board's largest contractors, operating through Gates 1 and 2. Beyond business, Govindasamy was deeply committed to community welfare – offering free meals at his kottai (shed), dignified employment, and an open door to all in need regardless of their race. In 1937, the Straits Settlements government appointed him Justice of the Peace, presenting him with a rare scroll in recognition not only of his enterprise, but also his integrity and racial inclusiveness – values that prefigured independent Singapore's national ethos of 3Ms: multi-racialism, multiculturalism and multi-religiosity. Govindasamy's nephew and son-in-law, S.L. Perumal, managed harbour operations during the Japanese Occupation. Refusing to collaborate with the occupiers despite their coercion, Perumal continued the work while Govindasamy quietly distributed rice and passed secret messages to aid the British. Their quiet courage helped sustain countless families and the resistance efforts. After the war in 1945, Lord Louis Mountbatten met with Govindasamy at his home to discuss restoring port operations – an extraordinary gesture of respect. When Govindasamy died of a heart attack on April 6, 1948, the harbour closed for half a day as more than 3,500 people of all races paid their respects on the day of his funeral. It was a fitting farewell to a man whose life was defined by service and sacrifices. Govindasamy's legacy includes generous donations to charities and Hindu temples. He was a trustee of Sri Mariamman Temple while managing also the Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, later rebuilt by Perumal using personal funds. In 2022, Govindasamy was posthumously honoured with the Indian Hall of Fame Singapore's Navroji Mistri Excellence Award for Philanthropy. The contributions of these two Indian pioneers deserve greater recognition and should be included in the national narrative as we celebrate SG60. Tang Siew Ngoh More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
