Latest news with #Mohideen
The Sun
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
CAP backs vacancy tax to tackle property speculation in Malaysia
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) has voiced strong support for implementing a vacancy tax on residential properties left unoccupied for long periods. CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader stated that such a measure is crucial to reducing property speculation and making housing more affordable for Malaysians. 'A vacancy tax typically applies to properties that remain vacant—unsold or unrented—for more than six months in a year. 'In countries such as Canada and Australia, particularly in cities like Melbourne, this tax is set at between one and three per cent of the property or land value,' he said. Mohideen explained that the tax aims to discourage speculative investments, especially in the medium-cost housing segment, where rising prices in the subsale market have made homeownership unattainable for middle-income earners. He highlighted that many urban properties remain empty while thousands struggle to find affordable homes. 'A vacancy tax would act as a strong disincentive to leave properties idle and would encourage owners to either rent out or sell them, returning more units to the active housing market,' he added. CAP also urged the government to reassess the Real Property Gains Tax and stamp duty, proposing higher rates for short-term property sales and additional home purchases. Mohideen called for tighter restrictions on foreign buyers and stricter housing loan policies for individuals owning multiple properties, including lower loan-to-value ratios to deter speculative borrowing. 'Unless the government introduces comprehensive policy reforms, Malaysia's housing sector will continue to favour investors at the expense of ordinary citizens. It is the government's duty to uphold the principle that housing is a fundamental right, not a speculative commodity,' he stressed. - Bernama
New Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
CAP calls for vacancy tax, tighter controls to curb property speculation
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has called for the introduction of a vacancy tax on residential properties that are left unoccupied for extended periods. It also called on the government to review and strengthen the Real Property Gains Tax (RPGT). CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said these measures were urgently needed to address the deepening problems of property speculation and declining housing affordability in Malaysia. "A vacancy tax typically applies to properties that remain vacant — unsold or unrented — for more than six months in a year. "In countries such as Canada and Australia, particularly in cities like Melbourne, this tax is set at between one and three per cent of the property or land value. "Its primary aim is to deter property speculation, particularly in the medium-cost segment, where rising prices in the subsale market have increasingly placed home ownership beyond the reach of middle-income earners," he said in a statement today. According to the Khazanah Research Institute, housing prices in Malaysia rose by an average of 5.8 per cent per year between 2010 and 2022, well above the healthy growth range of three to four per cent. As a result, many in the M40 income group found it difficult to purchase their own homes. In urban areas, the typical 'modern' three-bedroom apartment ranges from 800 to 1,000 square feet. Mohideen said this limited space was not conducive to multi-generational or extended family living, nor does it offer adequate privacy or comfort for those forced to share with other families. "Speculators often compete directly with genuine homebuyers, inflating demand and thereby encouraging developers to acquire more land to keep up with what is essentially artificial pressure. "In land-scarce areas like Penang, this has resulted in a rise in land prices and a growing reliance on costly land reclamation from the sea. "It is also worth noting that many apartment blocks are not fully occupied, despite having been sold. In these developments, owners of vacant units — who are not living in them and cannot easily sell or rent them out —often neglect their obligations to pay maintenance fees. "This undermines the upkeep of the building and penalises residents who do live there. At present, many residential properties, particularly in urban centres, remain empty while thousands of Malaysians continue to struggle to find homes they can afford," he added. The property market, Mohideen noted, had become increasingly dominated by those who treat housing as a speculative investment rather than a basic human need. He said this trend had led to inflated prices and a false sense of scarcity, especially in cities where housing demand is greatest. "A vacancy tax would act as a strong disincentive to leave properties idle and would encourage owners to either rent out or sell them, returning more units to the active housing market. "In addition, CAP also calls on the government to review and strengthen the RPGT, as the current system fails to adequately discourage short-term speculation. "We propose a more progressive model that imposes significantly higher tax rates on profits from properties sold within a short holding period," he added. Mohideen also called for a revision of stamp duty rates and tighter controls on housing loans. He said that unless the government introduced comprehensive policy reforms, Malaysia's housing sector would continue to favour investors at the expense of ordinary citizens.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
IUML leader Khader Mohideen chosen for Thagaisal Thamizhar Award
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader K.M. Khader Mohideen has been selected to receive the Thagaisal Thamizhar Award of the Tamil Nadu government. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will present the award during the Independence Day celebrations in Chennai. Since its inception, the award has been presented to veteran Communist leaders N. Sankaraiah and R. Nallakannu, Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani, and veteran Congress leader Kumari Ananthan. A meeting chaired by Mr. Stalin at the Secretariat on Friday selected Mr. Mohideen as the recipient for this year. Mr. Mohideen, a senior political leader, who had a long association with late DMK leader and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, was also the editor of Manisudar, an official release said. The IUML leader has a deep understanding of Indian politics and worked for communal harmony. The award would honour his efforts, it added. In 2021, the State government instituted the Thagaisal Thamizhar (distinguished Tamil) Award to honour eminent personalities who have contributed a great deal to the welfare of Tamil Nadu and the development of the Tamil community.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
IUML leader Kader Mohideen chosen for Thagaisal Thamizhar award
The release said the selection committee considered the name of Professor KM Kader, editor, Manichudar, who has been a close associate of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Mohideen dedicated his entire life to the cause of social harmony and a deep understanding of Indian politics. Born on January 5, 1940, in Thirunallar in Pudukottai district to Mohamed Hanif and Kasimibibi, Mohideen served as a Member of Parliament between 2004 and 2009 and has authored many books. Mohideen, during his student days, was inspired by the late leader Quaid-e-Millath Muhammed Ismail, and joined the Indian Union Muslim League organisation. Since 1956, he has occupied the following posts in the organisation: the students wing organiser, youth wing organiser, educational & cultural affairs secretary, organisational secretary, general secretary and at present, State president of IUML in Tamil Nadu and the national president of the party.
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Call for action: Consumer groups push for mandatory certification of power banks
KUALA LUMPUR: Consumer groups have called on the government to make Sirim certification mandatory for power banks, warning that the continued sale of uncertified devices puts users at risk. Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader said many power banks being sold for between RM30 and RM60 did not bear any safety or certification marks. "Uncertified power banks will continue to be sold as long as there is demand for cheap products," he told the New Sunday Times. Mohideen added that many consumers were unaware of the importance of buying electrical appliances with safety certification, such as the Sirim label or other international standards. Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer T. Saravanan said. "The safety of consumers must come first, and it's high time the government made Sirim certification mandatory," he said. He added that this should be followed by a crackdown on the sale of uncertified power banks. Saravanan said that in 2017, the then domestic trade and cost of living minister announced plans to require Sirim certification for all power banks. However, the plan was never realised. "Without clear regulation and enforcement, unsafe products will keep reaching consumers. "Many such incidents go unreported because consumers either don't know how to file a complaint or feel the damage is minor," he added. Malaysia Consumers Movement (MCM) legal adviser Sukhdave Singh expressed similar concerns. "It's disappointing that the government has not acted on this, more so when there is a pressing need. "We call on the government to make power bank certification mandatory immediately. "Right now, we can only advise people not to buy uncertified power banks, but for real change, regulation is needed to hold manufacturers, importers and sellers accountable," he said. A quick check by the New Sunday Times found power banks being sold online for as low as RM16, raising doubts about the safety of such devices. Many of them did not have Sirim certification.
