Latest news with #PerakMCA
The Star
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Mah: Exempt private healthcare providers from SST
PETALING JAYA: MCA has called for the exemption of the commercial rent and the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) from primary and private healthcare services. Its deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon ( pic ) said that implementation would add a burden on top of the rising electricity costs, and these changes come at a time when healthcare providers were already struggling. "We must urgently protect our country's access to healthcare. "This call is not a push for increased profits for medical institutions but a plea to defend the fundamental right of every individual to access healthcare," he said in a statement yesterday. On June 30, six major associations representing doctors, community pharmacists and physiotherapists called for an exemption of the expanded SST on private primary care. The groups expressed concern with the impact of 8% SST on commercial rent, 6% SST on private healthcare services provided to foreign patients, as well as the revision of electricity tariffs. Dr Mah said many private healthcare providers already operated with narrow profit margins, and the imposition of additional taxes would force numerous clinics to shut down. "Consultation fees for private doctors have not increased in years, and rates are strictly regulated. Pharmacies and physiotherapists also face extremely limited margins," he added. With the rise in commercial rents, operational costs and electricity bills, coupled with taxes, Dr Mah, who is also the Perak MCA chairman, argued that this burden could be the tipping point. "If clinics close, communities, especially in suburban and rural areas, will suffer. If private healthcare becomes unaffordable, public hospitals will face an even greater strain." Aside from that, Dr Mah said the construction, cleaning and plantation sectors (the 3D sectors) relied heavily on foreign workers, who often seek affordable treatment at private clinics. "The 6% SST will make treatment more expensive, placing undue strain on these low-paid workers. "If they delay medical treatment due to higher costs, it will worsen their health and trigger broader public health concerns, including a higher risk of infectious disease transmission, which could escalate outbreaks in primary healthcare settings," he said. The increase in the SST threshold to RM1mil still does not address the unique nature of healthcare, he noted. "Many clinics exceed this threshold due to high demand for services, not because of significant profits. "A 'one-size-fits-all' tax approach fails to recognise the social responsibility of healthcare providers. "This policy risks discouraging primary healthcare providers, ultimately undermining Malaysia's healthcare system. "Healthcare is a vital service that directly impacts the well-being of the population, it should not be viewed through a profit-driven lens," he said. Dr Mah also urged the government to reconsider the concerns raised by the medical community and exempt commercial rent and SST for primary private healthcare services. "It is vital to protect the last line of defence in our healthcare system, ensuring services remain accessible to all citizens. "Ultimately, the tax system should be fair, just and reflect the unique needs of healthcare," he said.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Audit MyKiosk 2.0, urges Perak MCA
Demand for answers: Chung (centre), together with Lam (right) and Tang at the National Audit Department office in Putrajaya, to submit a letter to call for an investigation into the MyKiosk 2.0 initiative. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star PUTRAJAYA: The National Audit Department should conduct audits on the Housing and Local Government Ministry's MyKiosk 2.0 initiative, says Perak MCA. 'There is a need for clarity regarding transparency issues in the implementation of MyKiosk policies,' said Perak MCA Youth's Public Complaints Bureau chief Chung Kok Heung. Yesterday, Chung and his party colleagues – Batu Gajah MCA division Youth chief Dawson Lam, who is also national MCA Youth Housing and Local Government Ministry Monitoring Bureau deputy chief, and Perak MCA Publicity Bureau committee member Tang Cheong Hoong – submitted a letter to the National Audit Department here, where they called for an investigation into the matter. 'Despite claims of tenders and bidding processes by the minister, some local councils did not follow these procedures. 'We urge a thorough audit to address these doubts,' he said when met. Perak MCA's move came following MCA Youth's report at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Wednesday, where the party youth wing called for investigations into MyKiosk. Chung said pressing concerns are the lack of transparency and the inadequacies in policy implementation. 'Why the hasty implementation of MyKiosk without preliminary studies or a robust execution plan, leading to resource wastage?' asked Chung, adding that the ministry has not disclosed usage statistics. While the first phase reportedly achieved 80% usage, he said the second phase's specific figures remain unclear. 'Such a public-benefit policy should be widely promoted rather than shrouded in mystery,' he said. Chung also raised concerns about a main supplier allegedly responsible for over 200 kiosks, which has given rise to questions about potential price discrepancies. 'We hope the minister and the National Audit Department can address these concerns,' he added. On the kiosks in Perak, Chung said MyKiosk locations under the Ipoh City Council are present at Jalan Jumbo Jet near the airport, Station 18 and Meru. 'While the facilities on Jalan Jumbo Jet are well-planned, they remain underutilised. 'Station 18's kiosks are not operational due to contractor issues, and at Meru, only a few stalls operate during optimal evening hours,' he said, adding that MCA has established a MyKiosk public monitoring network on Facebook. 'The platform invites citizens nationwide to share updates, videos and photos, fostering community oversight to provide checks and balances.' Chung emphasised that while MCA supports government initiatives like MyKiosk, the party also advocates for transparent and inclusive implementation that benefits all. The MyKiosk 2.0 initiative, initially launched to provide street vendors with suitable trading spaces, has faced criticism due to its costs compared to alternatives in the marketplace.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Perak MCA calls for audit of MyKiosk initiative
PUTRAJAYA: The National Audit Department should conduct audits of the MyKiosk initiative, says Perak MCA. Its public complaints bureau chief Chung Kok Heung, together with his colleagues, Batu Gajah MCA Youth chief Dawson Lam, who is also the national MCA Youth housing and local government ministry monitoring bureau deputy chief, and Perak MCA publicity bureau committee member Tang Cheong Hoong were present at the department's office to submit a letter calling for an investigation. "There is a need for clarity regarding transparency issues in implementing MyKiosk policies. "Despite the minister's claims of tenders and bidding processes, some local councils did not follow these procedures. "We are not alleging misconduct but we urge a thorough audit to address these doubts," he said when met here on Thursday (May 22). Chung questioned the lack of transparency, the policy implementation and what seems to be a hasty implementation of MyKiosk. Additionally, he said the ministry has not disclosed the initiative's usage statistics. While the first phase reportedly achieved 80% usage, he said the second phase's specific figures remain unclear. He also raised concerns about a main supplier allegedly responsible for over 200 kiosks. "We hope the minister and the National Audit Department can address these concerns," he added. When asked, Chung said under the Ipoh City Council (MBI), MyKiosk locations are at Jalan Jumbo Jet near the airport, Station 18 and Meru. "While the facilities on Jalan Jumbo Jet are well-planned, they remain underutilised. Station 18's kiosks are not operational due to contractor issues and at Meru, only a few stalls operate during evening hours," he said. Chung noted that MCA has also established a MyKiosk public campaign network on Facebook. "It invites citizens to share updates, videos and photos, as a community oversight,' he added. Chung said that while MCA supports government initiatives like MyKiosk, they advocate for transparent and inclusive implementation that benefits all, not just specific groups. On Wednesday (May 21), MCA Youth lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the MyKiosk 2.0 project, calling for public concerns surrounding the project to be addressed by the government. The MyKiosk 2.0 initiative, initially launched to provide street vendors with suitable trading spaces, has faced criticism due to its costs compared to market alternatives. Concerns about the project's effectiveness have also been raised, with reports indicating that many kiosks remain unused due to impractical locations and inadequate facilities.
The Star
30-04-2025
- The Star
Loan sharks harass Ipoh teacher over ex-husband's debts
IPOH: Despite being separated from her ex-husband, a school teacher is still being harassed by loan sharks over debts he had incurred. Lau Yoke Khee, 42, said she has received death threats and photographs of her children have been circulated on social media. "On April 28 at about 4pm, one of the loan sharks, known as Calvin, contacted me and asked me to bear the debts incurred by my ex-husband. "He also threatened to murder me and my children, ages between 10 and 17. "I've also received many threatening calls from him saying that he would disturb me at my workplace as well as circulate pictures of me and my family on Facebook," she said at a press conference held by Perak MCA public service and complaints bureau chief Charles Yuen here on Wednesday (April 30). "I told him that I would not pay as I have divorced from my ex-husband, Lau Kok Kin, 50, an insurance agent and part-time food deliverer. "However, Calvin said that Kok Kin told him that I'm not his wife, but a rich mistress who would pay off his debts," she added. She said Kok Kin owed multiple loan sharks a total of about RM10,000. "Each time the loan sharks call, they would ask me to pay between RM1,000 and RM10,000. "I confronted Kok Kin and he admitted to the debts he incurred and even included a list of loan sharks' contact numbers and the amounts he owed," she said, adding that a police report has been lodged against the loan sharks. "I want to let everyone, including the loan sharks, know that my ex-husband's debt is unrelated to me and I will not be responsible for them," she added. Yuen said he has contacted the police investigating officer for the case. "The police are trying to identify the person behind the threats. "The family are very afraid now as their faces have been exposed on social media," he said. "They are feeling traumatised, as they still have to go to school and face their friends and also worry about their safety. "I hope the family will no longer face any threats," he added.
