Latest news with #VIA
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
36 Bangladeshis linked to militant group arrested
PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested 36 Bangladeshi nationals this week for alleged involvement in a radical militant movement rooted in extremist ideology. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said yesterday the planned security operation, which began on April 24, was carried out in three phases across Selangor and Johor. Five of the suspects have been charged under Chapter VIA of the Penal Code at the Shah Alam and Johor Bahru Sessions Courts, while 15 others have been issued deportation orders. Another 16 individuals are still under investigation for their alleged links to the militant network. Based on intelligence gathered by the Special Branch, Saifuddin said the group was attempting to import extremist beliefs aligned with the Islamic State ideology into Malaysia. 'They even established recruitment cells within their community here with the aim of indoctrinating radical beliefs, raising funds for terror activities and working to overthrow the legitimate government in their country of origin,' he said in a statement. Saifuddin stressed that Malaysia would not be a safe haven, let alone a staging ground, for any foreign extremist elements.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
36 Bangladeshis arrested in malaysia for militancy links
PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested 36 Bangladeshi nationals this week for alleged involvement in a radical militant movement rooted in extremist ideology. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said yesterday the planned security operation, which began on April 24, was carried out in three phases across Selangor and Johor. Five of the suspects have been charged under Chapter VIA of the Penal Code at the Shah Alam and Johor Bahru Sessions Courts, while 15 others have been issued deportation orders. Another 16 individuals are still under investigation for their alleged links to the militant network. Based on intelligence gathered by the Special Branch, Saifuddin said the group was attempting to import extremist beliefs aligned with the Islamic State ideology into Malaysia. 'They even established recruitment cells within their community here with the aim of indoctrinating radical beliefs, raising funds for terror activities and working to overthrow the legitimate government in their country of origin,' he said in a statement. Saifuddin stressed that Malaysia would not be a safe haven, let alone a staging ground, for any foreign extremist elements.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
VIA Objects to MERC's New Tariff Order, Considers Legal Options
Nagpur: The Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) has expressed serious concern over the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission's ( MERC ) latest Multi-Year Tariff Policy Review Order. VIA has described it as a regressive move which threatens industrial viability and green energy investments across the state. The association claimed that the new tariff regime is expected to significantly raise electricity costs for industries, particularly those operating on three-shift, 24x7 models. According to VIA's preliminary analysis, the revised structure could increase electricity bills by 8% to 10% compared to the current rate. "This sharp hike stems from a combination of increased demand charges, steeper energy costs during peak hours, and curtailed off-peak incentives under the revised Time-of-Day (TOD) tariffs," VIA said. VIA president Vishal Agrawal stated that such abrupt changes undermine the govt's stated goals under initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. He noted that industrial growth depends on stable and predictable energy pricing, which the new policy disrupts by effectively reversing earlier tariff reductions through a mid-cycle review. Agrawal warned that the impact will be particularly harsh on energy-intensive sectors such as textiles, engineering, and foundries, which are already under pressure from global competition, volatile raw material prices, and high logistics costs. He said many units, especially small and medium enterprises in regions like Vidarbha, may be forced to scale down operations or shut shop entirely due to the sudden rise in power costs. Adding to industry's woes, the revised order also deals a heavy blow to the state's green energy movement. VIA has raised alarm over two specific provisions which it believes will discourage solar adoption. The first is the prohibition of night-time banking of solar power — a system that allowed industries to store excess day-time generation and draw it at night, ensuring round-the-clock usage of clean energy. "The new policy scraps this mechanism, forcing industries to either waste their surplus generation or invest in expensive battery storage systems, which most consider financially unfeasible," VIA said. Equally damaging is MERC's introduction of Grid Support Charges (GSC) on solar power, especially targeting installations above 10 MW capacity. According to the new rules, even when industries use their own solar power or previously banked energy, they must pay a fee for utilising the grid infrastructure. VIA argues that this completely erodes the economic viability of solar investments and penalises companies that are actively contributing to grid stability during peak sunlight hours. Agrawal emphasised the need for MERC to engage directly with stakeholders, particularly MSMEs and round-the-clock manufacturing units, before pushing through structural changes of this magnitude. He asserted that industries in Maharashtra — and particularly in power-surplus regions like Vidarbha — deserve a forward-looking and participatory electricity policy, not one that discourages efficiency and clean energy. VIA, he said, will continue to advocate for industrial interests through formal representation and, if necessary, legal intervention. Box: VIA's demands Roll back the punitive demand and TOD tariffs, and ensure no more than CPI-based escalation in effective cost Reinstate night-time banking of solar energy to preserve the commercial viability of green power Scrap the Grid Support Charges or at least cap them till an independent impact assessment is conducted Hold stakeholder consultations, especially with MSMEs and large 3-shift units, before implementing such structural changes
Scoop
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
VIA Applauds Government Move To Overhaul Land-Transport Rules
The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) has welcomed the announcement by Transport Minister Hon Chris Bishop of a seven-stream Land Transport Rules Reform Programme, describing it as 'the breakout moment the sector has been waiting for.' The programme's sixth stream – a complete overhaul of the vehicle regulatory system – directly answers VIA's long-standing call for a simpler, outcomes-based rulebook. 'Right now we're forced to navigate more than twenty different Land Transport Rules, seven separate Vehicle Inspection Requirement Manuals, and about fifty technical bulletins tacked onto the Entry Compliance Manual,' says VIA Chief Executive Greig Epps. 'That's regulatory archaeology. Every layer of paper adds cost without adding safety.' Mr Epps says the Government's pledge to streamline import requirements and recognise overseas standards is 'exactly the reset the industry – and ordinary Kiwi motorists – need'. 'If we focus on the result we all want – safe, clean vehicles at a fair price – then align the best international standards to that goal, compliance stops being a cost sink and starts being a productivity lever,' he says. VIA has argued for a two-tier framework: one rule that states the desired outcomes, and a dynamic list of accepted global standards that inspectors and importers can reference in real time. The Association will work with officials to uncover and fix duplicated rules and outdated requirements as consultation begins. 'We're ready to bring practical fixes to the table so the reform doesn't get bogged down in theory,' Mr Epps says. Minister Bishop's plan signals most decisions will be made within 18 months, with public consultation on the broader overhaul scheduled for mid-2026. 'We'll be at the front of that queue,' Mr Epps says. 'This is a chance to cut red tape, lower costs for families, and keep the fleet moving toward safer, lower-emission vehicles.' For more information: ABOUT VIA (Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association) represents businesses involved in importing, preparing, wholesaling, and retailing used vehicles into New Zealand, primarily from Japan, Singapore, and other markets. As the industry's collective voice, VIA engages with government and stakeholders to support fair regulation and sustainable practices across the sector.
CBC
20-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
VIA Rail and Unifor reach tentative agreement, avoiding a strike
Via Rail has reached a tentative deal with the union representing 2,400 of its workers across the country, the Crown corporation said on Friday. The deal averts a walkout involving members of Unifor, who had voted for a strike mandate to be exercised as early as Sunday. Unifor says the tentative agreement offers gains in wages, job security and working conditions. The union represents workers at VIA Rail stations, maintenance centres, the customer care centre, in administrative offices and on board trains. Unifor didn't release details of the deal, preferring to first inform its members at meetings scheduled over the coming weeks. VIA Rail has said it was committed to a fair and reasonable agreement while remaining competitive and providing quality service. The two parties had broken off contract talks earlier this month, setting the stage for a potential strike.
