Latest news with #Liaw
Daily Express
22-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Make tourists use only Sabah Pay app. Otherwise government suffers revenue loss: Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: 'That way, all tourists spending could be properly recorded, and the government would not miss out on SST and other tax revenues,' said Liaw. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) Chairman Dato' Seri Winston Liaw said he was speaking up to protect the interest of Sabahans to have a fair share of the state's economy when commenting on the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal operations recently. 'I am defending Sabahans and protecting their rights. Easybook is a platform company based in Penang. Are there no good platform companies in Sabah?'Sabah has platforms such as Sabah Pay, GoNet and others,' said Liaw. He was responding to Suria Capital Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director Datuk Ng Kiat Min, who denied that the operations of the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal had been transferred to Easybook. Ng had said the terminal is operated by Suria Bumira Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Suria Capital, while Easybook was appointed as a ticketing platform to run the centralised terminal ticketing system at the terminal and handle offline ticket transactions to the islands. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
18-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Association, DBKK discuss collaborative solutions for plastic waste management
Liaw (third right) presenting a memento to Sabin. Other MPMA members present are Ang (left), Hiew (second right) and Law (right). KOTA KINABALU (July 18): Members of the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association, Sabah Branch (MPMA Sabah), led by chairman Liaw Hen Kong, paid a courtesy call on Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah on July 16 to explore solutions and seek collaborations on plastics wastes management. On the way forward for MPMA which has about 800 members across Peninsular and East Malaysia, Liaw shared that MPMA both at the headquarters and branch levels advocated and adopted plastics circularity. MPMA is stepping up recycling efforts and hosting campaigns to spread the importance of recycling to the consumers including the young population on regular basis. Through responsible use of plastics by consumers such as Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs), our environment will be rid of plastics wastes. Consumers are inconvenienced by the single-use plastics ban. Despite ban on certain single-use plastics, the Department of Statistics recorded annual national exports of plastics products rose over the years at RM11.94 billion in 2014 and RM17.34 billion last year. This is evidence that plastics is essential, efficient and economical. However, plastics pollution is a challenge that the industry, the authorities and consumers collectively need to address and overcome. Liaw welcomed the initiative by Sabin to have regular engagements with the plastics industry to learn and keep abreast of the latest developments and future plans of both the plastics industry and City Hall. On the solution to solid waste management by City Hall, the mayor shared his plan to use incinerator and has proposed that the plastics industry consider this initiative to reducing not just plastics waste but municipal solid waste as well. Other topics discussed were single-use plastics, paper straws, tetra packs, common misconceptions about plastics and recycled plastic products (Standard: SIRIM ECO 018 2024, AMD. 1:2024) Liaw also invited Sabin to attend an upcoming event of MPMA Sabah, which is the plastics talk, themed 'Plastics Action – A Greener Future' in August. Other MPMA Sabah members present were Datuk Alan Ang of Uniang Plastic Industries Sdn Bhd (advisor), Kelvin Hiew of HKT Furniture Sdn Bhd (welfare officer) and Law Yit Chean of Borneo Flexible Packaging Sdn Bhd (member).
Daily Express
30-06-2025
- Daily Express
Illegal tours: Go after buyers also, says Satta
Published on: Monday, June 30, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 30, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Liaw proposed that Motac make a public declaration that travellers found joining illegal tours could face a RM10,000 fine and a seven-day detention to assist investigations. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah's tourism industry players urged the authorities to take action not only against illegal tour operators but also their clients. Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) Chairman Dato' Seri Winston Liaw said targeting both the sellers and buyers would be a more effective deterrent. 'I think the issue keeps recurring despite media coverage and the increase in penalties to RM500,000 in fines and 10 years' imprisonment. Illegal operators are still active,' he said. One of the reasons, he added, is the lack of enforcement manpower within the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac). Liaw proposed that Motac make a public declaration that travellers found joining illegal tours could face a RM10,000 fine and a seven-day detention to assist investigations. 'This move will strongly discourage illegal tour activities, as the 'no buyers, no hunting' principle would apply automatically,' he said. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
16-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
New avenue to back charitable work via Lions
Published on: Monday, June 16, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 16, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Liaw receiving the presidential collar from Ting and witnessed by Eve as well as other office bearers. Kota Kinabalu: A new avenue has opened for kind-hearted individuals to support charitable work with the formation of the Lions Club of Api-Api. The club, led by its Charter President Chris Liaw Tze Ling, was launched during an induction and fundraising dinner held at Wisma Hakka Hall. Advertisement The event was officiated by Lions New Century Star City President Ting Shyh Tem and Constitutional Area Leader Eve Wong. 'This charter was established to create more platforms for compassionate individuals to contribute to charitable causes, and to ensure these efforts reach those who genuinely need help,' said Liaw. He said the club would channel its efforts through the Starfish Malaysia Foundation, which has built five hostels near schools in Kota Marudu, Sikuati, Kudat, and Pitas. The aim is to support students who would otherwise need to walk between four and twelve hours to attend school. Two choir songs were performed by students staying at the hostels as an introduction to the foundation's work during the dinner. 'The foundation provides accommodation, three meals a day, and tuition for just RM80 per month,' Liaw said. 'For families who cannot afford this, students can offset the cost with home-grown fruits and vegetables,' he added. Liaw has been involved with the foundation for nearly eight years. He has seen the students improve not only academically but also in their daily living conditions. 'It has brought me great comfort and joy. There are many such organisations like Starfish here in Kota Kinabalu. 'I hope this platform will raise more awareness and encourage others to get involved,' he said. He said children and women remain among the most vulnerable groups in society and need continued attention and support. The Starfish Malaysia Foundation was founded in 2014 by retired businessman Jimmy Lei from Sarawak. During a trip to northern Sabah, Lei saw schoolchildren walking for hours in the rain to get home due to the distance between their homes and schools. Disturbed by the sight, he pledged to help. He sold his business in Australia and used the proceeds to fund the first hostel at Kampung Talantang in Kota Marudu. * 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
31-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Life Water Berhad acquires Twinine
Published on: Friday, May 30, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 30, 2025 Text Size: Twinine recorded steady audited revenues of RM8.60 million in FY2022 and FY2023, and an unaudited RM8.50 million in FY2024, with a three-year average profit after tax (PAT) of RM0.91 million. Kota Kinabalu: Life Water Berhad, one of Sabah's leading beverage manufacturers, is taking a major leap beyond its core business with the RM10.5 million acquisition of Twinine Sdn Bhd, a seasoned player in the sauces and condiments market. Life Water Managing Director Liaw Hen Kong, said the move marks a significant milestone in Life Water's diversification strategy, while its core drinking water segment is set to grow by 40 percent with new production capacity coming online by the end of 2025. 'The acquisition was formalized via a Share Sale Agreement (SSA) to acquire 100 percent equity interest in Twinine, a company with over 35 years of experience and market presence across Sabah's West Coast, parts of Sarawak and Brunei,' he said in a statement. He said Twinine recorded steady audited revenues of RM8.60 million in FY2022 and FY2023, and an unaudited RM8.50 million in FY2024, with a three-year average profit after tax (PAT) of RM0.91 million. 'This is a strategic step forward in expanding our presence within the broader FMCG space. 'Twinine's product line complements our distribution capabilities, and we see clear potential to accelerate growth through cross-branding and tapping into shared consumer segments. We're particularly excited about bringing their products deeper into the East Coast of Sabah, where our existing network gives us a strong foothold,' he added. Advertisement As part of its integration plan, he said, the company will introduce dual-shift operations at Twinine's existing facility to boost production. 'The Group is also exploring the establishment of a new manufacturing site at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park to support long-term growth in the condiments category. Twinine's founder will remain on board for two years to guide the transition and help drive expansion plans,' Liaw said. The acquisition is expected to enhance group earnings and accelerate Life Water's entry into new consumer markets under its broader fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) strategy. The company also revealed that its core drinking water operations are on track for a 40 percent capacity increase by the end of 2025. Liaw said The Group's new Keningau plant, operational since early this year, has already added 59 million liters of annual production, pushing total capacity to 448 million liters per annum. Further expansion is underway at the Sandakan Sibuga Plant 1, where a new manufacturing line is being commissioned and expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. 'This will add another 178 million liters of annual capacity, raising the Group's total production to 626 million liters—a 40 percent increase compared to current levels,' he said. The company also announced its financial performance for the third quarter ended 31 March 2025 (Q3FY25), reporting RM43.12 million in revenue—up 0.95 percent from the previous quarter—driven by seasonal demand for carbonated and fruit beverages. Liaw emphasised that the drinking water segment remained the largest contributor, accounting for 82.6 percent of revenue. The Group achieved a gross profit (GP) of RM19.52 million with a GP margin of 45.3 percent, while profit before tax (PBT) was RM8.11 million and PAT stood at RM6.48 million. Margins slightly moderated due to the implementation of the minimum wage policy and temporary inefficiencies linked to expansion. For the nine-month period ended March 31, Life Water recorded RM128.42 million in revenue and RM20.97 million in PAT, maintaining a solid PAT margin of 16.3 percent. With a two-pronged strategy of organic growth and strategic diversification, Life Water is positioning itself as a rising multi-category FMCG player in East Malaysia. The Twinine acquisition enhances its product offerings and opens new growth channels, while the expanded production footprint ensures continued leadership in the bottled water space. Liaw said, as consumer demand evolves and competition intensifies, Life Water remains optimistic about its growth trajectory for FY2025 and beyond. * 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
