Latest news with #SumbanganAsasRahmah
The Sun
17 minutes ago
- Business
- The Sun
Govt boosts cost of living aid with SARA and fuel subsidies
PUTRAJAYA: The government is ramping up initiatives to alleviate the rising cost of living, focusing on direct aid and clear public communication, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Key measures include the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) cash assistance of RM100 for Malaysians aged 18 and above, alongside targeted fuel subsidies for RON95 petrol. 'Over RM2 billion has been allocated for SARA, allowing purchases at 4,100 outlets nationwide. Unused funds by 2026 will be redirected to aid other needy groups,' Fahmi stated during the Communications Ministry's monthly assembly. Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching and secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa were also present. Addressing fuel subsidies, Fahmi clarified that citizens benefit more than perceived. 'Eligible Malaysians pay RM1.99 per litre, while non-citizens face market rates of RM2.50 to RM2.60. The real saving exceeds 50 sen per litre, not just six sen,' he explained. Fahmi also countered negative views on Malaysia's investment climate, highlighting operational factories from previously planned projects. He urged RTM and Bernama to collaborate with MIDA to ensure accurate investment data reaches the public. - Bernama
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's subsidy blind spot: Why permanent resident spouses pay taxes but continue to miss out — Family Frontiers
JULY 30 — YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian Cabinet, and Members of Parliament, This letter is in response to the announcement by Malaysian Prime Minister and Finance Minister, YAB Dauk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on July 23, 2025 regarding his initiatives to lower the cost of living in Malaysia, outlining a series of measures aimed at alleviating the rising cost of living. We commend the government's commitment to supporting the rakyat and easing their burden, particularly through initiatives such as the one-off RM100 payment under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, the expansion of Jualan Rahmah Madani, the decision to maintain existing toll rates, and the reduction in RON95 petrol prices. These efforts will certainly bring relief to many Malaysian families. However, we respectfully wish to highlight the exclusion of an often overlooked group: permanent residents (PRs) who are spouses of Malaysians. These individuals have quietly and consistently contributed to the nation's growth — economically, socially, and culturally — while raising their families and building their lives here. While Malaysians will only pay RM1.99 per litre for RON95 petrol, non-citizens, including PR spouses, have to pay RM2.50 per litre or more. This scenario is likely to unfold very soon: non-citizen parents of Malaysian children will bear higher fuel costs as they travel to drop off and pick up their Malaysian children from school, tuition classes, or hospital appointments, disproportionately impacting middle- and lower-income families where every RM counts. This also leads to higher out-of-pocket expenses for Malaysian binational families, which could be directed to the advancement of Malaysian children in these families. For example, reduced funds for extra-curricular activities, tuition, or even better-quality educational resources. The financial pressures faced by PRs are also set to increase with the recent 6 per cent Sales and Services Tax (SST) charged on non-citizens, effective 1 July, amplifying an already unequal system. While the SST revision impacts all consumers, there are a few exceptions where non-citizens are subjected to 6 per cent tax: Private higher education Private healthcare The misconception that non-citizens, including PR spouses, do not pay taxes is a myth. Spouses who reside in the country for more than 182 days are required to pay taxes on their total taxable income on the same basis as Malaysians. Many of them are husbands and wives of Malaysian citizens, parents of Malaysian children, and are long-term residents who have endured years of bureaucratic hurdles to secure legal status in the country they already call home. 'Non-citizen spouses of Malaysians are not 'foreigners' — they work and contribute to the country and the economy, they pay taxes, and they raise Malaysian children. This 'othering' of our spouses and designating them with the blanket term of 'foreigners' hurts us and our families,' says Low, a Malaysian spouse of a non-citizen. Another PR spouse said, 'I often find myself in a grey zone — being a foreigner, yet not fully acknowledged as Malaysian. Although I contribute the same amount in taxes as others in similar income brackets, the treatment I receive often feels disproportionate.' PR spouses in Malaysia often bear higher costs for essential services such as: Public transportation: Excluded from RapidKL's MY50 pass, senior citizen, and OKU discounts Driving licences: Costs are double those for Malaysian citizens Education: Incur non-citizen rates for both public and private educational institutions, regardless of education level 'Policies like these affect Malaysian binational families who have made this country their home, but are again and again marginalised and left out simply because their spouse is regarded as a 'foreigner' and not fully recognised as part of the social fabric of this nation that they are. What impacts my non-citizen husband impacts me, a Malaysian, and our Malaysian children,' says Low. This disparity is particularly stark when compared with our neighbour, Singapore, a country where many Malaysians hold permanent resident status. In Singapore, PRs benefit from substantial subsidies for essential services, including: Healthcare: Reduced rates for treatment in public hospitals and access to schemes like MediShield Life for financial assistance with medical expenses Education: Significantly reduced tuition fees at public educational institutions for PRs and their children Such comprehensive benefits for PRs in Singapore stand in sharp contrast to Malaysia's approach. For PR spouses, these disadvantages significantly complicate the already challenging task of raising Malaysian children and committing to a long-term future in Malaysia. Constantly navigating a system where one family member is treated differently, or excluded from benefits that others enjoy, can lead to significant stress for the entire family. This creates a serious risk of 'brain drain,' where valuable talent eventually departs for countries offering more comprehensive social security and benefits for long-term residents and possibly even their Malaysian families. It's time to recognise the commitment of permanent residents by extending essential subsidies to them. This crucial step will not only retain valuable talent, strengthen our economy and reduce brain drain, but also ease their integration into Malaysian society. The government must not overlook the significant contributions of PRs, especially non-citizen spouses who are raising Malaysian children. These individuals are integral to the Malaysian family, contributing not just socioeconomically, but also by nurturing the next generation of Malaysians who will ultimately give back to the nation.
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Govt Committed To Easing Living Costs
GENERAL PUTRAJAYA, July 30 (Bernama) -- The government will intensify efforts to address the rising cost of living through targeted initiatives and comprehensive public communications, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Among the key measures already being implemented are the one-off Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) cash aid of RM100 for all Malaysians aged 18 and above, and the targeted fuel subsidy for RON95 petrol, he said. 'The government has allocated over RM2 billion for the SARA programme, enabling Malaysians to purchase essential goods at more than 4,100 participating outlets nationwide. If someone chooses not to use this benefit, they can still buy basic items and donate them to others. 'Should the amount remain unused by Jan 1, 2026, it will be returned to the Consolidated Fund to benefit other groups in need,' he said at the Communications Ministry's monthly assembly here today, which was also attended by Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching and secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa. Also present were the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj. On the targeted RON95 fuel subsidy, Fahmi clarified that the benefit to Malaysian citizens is more significant than perceived. 'Qualified Malaysian citizens will pay around RM1.99 per litre, while non-citizens will pay the (unsubsidised) market price of RM2.50 to RM2.60. So, the actual benefit isn't just six sen, it's more than 50 sen per litre,' he said. Fahmi also refuted negative perceptions about Malaysia's investment performance, stressing that several major investment projects previously in the planning phase have now materialised, with factories already operational. In light of this, he called on Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama to collaborate closely with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to obtain verified data and ensure that accurate information on investment benefits is conveyed to the public.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Eco-Shop poised for more growth after beating expectations
KUALA LUMPUR: Eco-Shop Marketing Bhd's financial year 2025 (FY25) results beat analyst expectations, buoyed by strong gross profit margin (GPM) expansion, reinforcing the group's solid positioning in Malaysia's fast-growing dollar store segment. The group's core net profit rose 17 per cent to RM214 million on yearly basis, exceeding 105 per cent of RHB Research's full-year forecast. Revenue grew 16 per cent to RM2.8 billion, supported by the addition of 74 net new stores during the year. However, same-store sales growth dipped slightly by 0.4 per cent, with a sharper eight per cent decline in the fourth quarter following a price hike in April. Despite a temporary dip in volume, GPM improved by 1.8 percentage points to 28.2 per cent, effectively offsetting the impact of increased operating costs, particularly from the higher national minimum wage. RHB Research maintained its "Buy" call with a target price of RM1.51, implying a 12 per cent upside and a 2.0 per cent forecast dividend yield for financial year ending May 31, 2026. The firm described Eco-Shop as a "scarce investment case" that offers earnings visibility and strong growth potential, supported by ongoing outlet expansion plans. "Eco-Shop is focused on opening at least 70 new outlets pa in order to penetrate the underserved markets and consolidate its market leadership in the burgeoning dollar store industry. "Meanwhile, it recently launched targeted marketing campaigns to drive footfall and same-store sales growth by leveraging on the elevated GPM," it added. While sales volume has yet to fully recover following the April price increase, RHB Research said the dollar store model will remain attractive to value-conscious consumers once they adjust to the new pricing. "On top of that, the group's participation in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah programme, with 168 outlets approved and 81 stores enabled, could be another effective lever to lift foot traffic," it added.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Ministry aims to expand access for Sara recipients
RANAU: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will collaborate with the Finance Ministry to expand access to essential items for recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid. Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the ministry had proposed that recipients be allowed to use their Sara aid at mobile Jualan Rahmah Madani Programme (PJRM) locations, in addition to existing participating retailers. He said at present, Sara aid recipients could only purchase basic items at 4,152 participating supermarkets and retail outlets nationwide, including 470 in Sabah. "This will enable Sara recipients to use the aid credited to their MyKad to make purchases at mobile PJRM locations," he said after launching the Sabah Zone Carnival 2025 here on Saturday. Armizan said the additional RM300 million PJRM allocation would enable the ministry to increase its frequency, with a target of 20,000 this year. "For Sabah, the ministry is targeting 2,276 PJRM series this year, with 1,089 already implemented as of today (Saturday). "We will adopt several approaches to ensure the target is achieved by year end." He said this included increasing the range of items offered and enhancing cooperation with strategic retail partners. "Through these improvements, the people will have more choices. The ministry can no longer act alone as it did in the past." He said this was the second year the ministry had implemented the Zone Carnival programme, adding that six carnivals would be held nationwide this year. "For the carnival in Ranau, held in conjunction with the Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign, we expect around 60,000 visitors during the three-day event." Armizan said the main goal of the initiative was to bring government services, particularly those under the ministry, closer to the people.
