Latest news with #YoungSyefuraOthman
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
LPG subsidy to stay, leakages to be probed
THE government will not withdraw the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy, says Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. He said the ministry's task was to address LPG leakages through misappropriation and smuggling. 'We remain committed to providing LPG cylinder subsidies to the public. Fundamentally, this subsidy is for consumer use, a subsidy for the people's kitchens,' he told Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) who sought clarification on whether the government would withdraw the subsidy. Although the subsidy is primarily for household consumers, Armizan said it also benefits micro and small businesses, particularly in the food and beverage sector. 'For this reason, the food and beverage sector must ensure that prices remain reasonable for the public,' he added. He said that the legal aspects specifically concerning the use of LPG by small traders will be detailed in amendments to the Control of Supplies Regulations (Import Prohibition) 2021. The Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021 limits the ownership and use of subsidised LPG exceeding 42kg at any one time without a scheduled controlled goods permit.
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
MPs push for independent whistleblower commission in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The government should consider establishing an independent commission to protect whistleblowers and provide a secure and lawful reporting avenue, particularly when the agency tasked with handling such reports is itself involved in misconduct. Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman said that while she welcomed the amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act, including a new provision allowing agencies to maintain protection in the public interest, she believed they remained insufficient without monitoring from an independent body. 'I commend amendment 11(1A), which allows agencies to exercise discretion in maintaining protection if the disclosure provides significant benefits to the public interest. This is in line with internationally practised principles of good faith and public interest. 'However, in my view, this discretion is not enough if it lies solely with the enforcement agencies. Any case must be referred to an independent body, as mentioned earlier,' she said during the debate on the bill in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 22). Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said tabled the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 for its second reading at the sitting. The bill, among others, seeks to establish a Whistleblower Protection Committee to obtain statistics and data related to disclosures and complaints received by enforcement agencies under the act. Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN–Machang) said he was of the view that the establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Committee, with its members appointed by ministers, did not guarantee independence or effectiveness as it had no review or enforcement powers. 'Many whistleblowers still face pressure and threats. Malaysia needs a comprehensive protection mechanism not only for the public sector or corruption cases, but also in cases involving sexual exploitation, abuse of power by enforcement authorities and corporate elites. 'Protection should also extend to disclosures made to the media, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or MPs if the whistleblowers do not trust the official agency. We must also ensure that whistleblowers in cases involving sexual harassment, political or corporate abuse are protected without prejudice,' he said. He also cited the approach taken by several foreign countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, which allow whistleblowers to report to the media or Congress without having to go through internal departmental channels, provided the disclosures are made in good faith. Meanwhile, Wong Chen (PH–Subang) proposed that the minister appoint four committee members, comprising academics, representatives from the Malaysian Bar Council, and an NGO representative. 'In other countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Sweden, whistleblowers are given the option to report to the media if no action is taken by the authorities. We must amend our laws to protect those who have the courage to come forward and provide information to the media,' he said. - Bernama
Barnama
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
MPs Call For Independent Commission To Protect Whistleblowers
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- The government should consider establishing an independent commission to protect whistleblowers and provide a secure and lawful reporting avenue, particularly when the agency tasked with handling such reports is itself involved in misconduct. Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman said that while she welcomed the amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act, including a new provision allowing agencies to maintain protection in the public interest, she believed they remained insufficient without monitoring from an independent body. 'I commend amendment 11(1A), which allows agencies to exercise discretion in maintaining protection if the disclosure provides significant benefits to the public interest. This is in line with internationally practised principles of good faith and public interest. 'However, in my view, this discretion is not enough if it lies solely with the enforcement agencies. Any case must be referred to an independent body, as mentioned earlier,' she said during the debate on the bill in the Dewan Rakyat today. Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said tabled the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 for its second reading at the sitting. The bill, among others, seeks to establish a Whistleblower Protection Committee to obtain statistics and data related to disclosures and complaints received by enforcement agencies under the act. Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN–Machang) said he was of the view that the establishment of a Whistleblower Protection Committee, with its members appointed by ministers, did not guarantee independence or effectiveness as it had no review or enforcement powers. 'Many whistleblowers still face pressure and threats. Malaysia needs a comprehensive protection mechanism not only for the public sector or corruption cases, but also in cases involving sexual exploitation, abuse of power by enforcement authorities and corporate elites. 'Protection should also extend to disclosures made to the media, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or MPs if the whistleblowers do not trust the official agency. We must also ensure that whistleblowers in cases involving sexual harassment, political or corporate abuse are protected without prejudice,' he said.
New Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Claims of LPG subsidy withdrawal inaccurate and misleading, says Armizan
KUALA LUMPUR: Claims by certain quarters that the government will abolish or withdraw the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy are inaccurate and misleading, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. He said the ministry had been entrusted with addressing LPG leakages through fraud and smuggling and would never withdraw, reduce or abolish the subsidy. "In fact, the government remains committed to providing LPG subsidies to the people, as the subsidy is meant for consumers, specifically to support household kitchens. "At the same time, the government is aware that the business sector, particularly micro and small enterprises operating food and beverage establishments, requires assistance as they provide food services to the public. "As such, the government is always open to allowing the micro and small business sectors to continue benefiting from the subsidy, while ensuring that prices remain affordable for the people," he said in response to Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) in the Dewan Rakyat. Young Syefura had asked whether the government intended to withdraw the subsidy, as had been suggested by certain quarters. He added that the legal aspects, specifically the use of LPG by small traders, would be detailed in the amendment to the Supply Control (Prohibition of Import) Regulations 2021. "This is to ensure clarity of the law within the control mechanism, while at the same time continuing to allow households and micro and small traders to benefit from the LPG subsidy." On the amendment, he said the ministry is conducting engagement sessions to gather recommendations and views from various parties to finalise the proposed amendments to the act. "The government will ensure that control and enforcement aspects are strengthened while continuing to provide subsidies to the people."
The Star
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
LPG subsidy to stay, says Armizan
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not withdraw the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidy, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said that the ministry has been tasked with addressing LPG leakages in the form of misappropriation and smuggling through Ops Gasak. "The government remains committed to providing LPG cylinder subsidies to the public. Fundamentally, this subsidy is for consumer use," he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 22). He was responding to a question from Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong), who sought clarification on whether the government would withdraw the subsidy, as raised by certain parties. Armizan added that although the subsidy is primarily for household consumers, it also benefits small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the food and beverage sector. This measure is to ensure that the public is offered affordable food and drink prices. "For this reason, the food and beverage sector must ensure that prices remain reasonable for the public,' he added. He further mentioned that the legal aspects specifically concerning the use of LPG by small traders will be detailed in amendments to the Control of Supplies Regulations (Import Prohibition) 2021. The Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021 limits the ownership and use of subsidised LPG exceeding 42kg at any one time without a scheduled controlled goods permit.
