2876) NEW STRAITS TIMES - 7/10/2015 - 'SMALLER SHARE OF PIE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES'

2460) NEW STRAITS TIMES - 06/02/2015 - Call To Boycott 'Mineral Water'

2451) NEW STRAITS TIMES - 04/02/2015 - Online List of 'Profiteering' Traders

2189) NEWS STRAITS TIMES 27/10/2014 - Different Subsidy Tiers For Fuel?

KUALA LUMPUR: THE impending fuel subsidy rationalisation programme, to be rolled out next year, should have tiers of subsidies for different levels of income, said consumer rights activist Datuk Nadzim Johan.

He said such a system, if adopted by the programme, would ensure that the distribution of subsidies was fair and would reach the intended target groups.

Nadzim, who is the chief activist for the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association, said for the system to work, the government needed to have comprehensive data on individuals’ incomes and assets.

“Another option is for those who wish to be eligible for subsidised fuel to apply for the benefit. The applicants will then have to declare their monthly incomes and monetary allowances as well as their debts, covering all types of loans.”

Nadzim said the declaration of incomes, assets and debts would help the government obtain a clearer picture of one’s purchasing power and determine which tier the person would come under.

“If a person drives a small car, for example, he or she will need a certain amount of petrol each week.

“For someone with a fixed income of RM3,000 a month and who drives his father’s luxury car, he uses a different amount of petrol than a person driving a smaller car.

“How will the government address and solve this?”

Nadzim said those eligible for subsidised fuel should also be allotted a specific amount of fuel each week for their consumption.

“Such a limit for each individual will prevent others from different tiers from using other people’s monthly allocation.

“Once an individual finishes his allocation, he or she can purchase fuel at non-subsidised rates until the week or month ends, depending on which cycle the system adopts.”

Last Thursday, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan had said that those in the high-income bracket would have to pay market price for RON95 petrol from June next year.

He had said the mechanism and method of implementation were being finalised by the Finance Ministry and the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

Ahmad had also said that a similar system would be implemented for diesel in January, through the use of fleet cards.

Economist Professor Dr Hoo Ke Ping suggested that the type of vehicle owned by an individual should be one of the factors to determine whether one is eligible for subsidised fuel and its quota, either on a weekly or monthly basis.

“If the government uses MyKad or a specific subsidy card, a specific amount of fuel may be set in the card,” he said, adding that the type of vehicle plays a big role in an individual’s daily or monthly expenses.

Speaking of identifying people deserving of help, Hoo said it was a simple technical procedure.

“The government should also embark on a campaign to create public awareness about the programme,” he said, adding that this would avoid any public backlash.

Credit : http://www.nst.com.my/node/46551

2137) ARKIB BERITA PPIM - 26/9/2014 NEW STRAITS TIMES - ‘Spies’ nabbed, Duo Who Tipped Off Raids Held

TWO men, suspected of tipping off business operators during a joint-op led by City Hall were nabbed yesterday.

The duo were earlier seen following the authorities as the latter carried out the fourth “Op Banteras Aktiviti Haram” (Op Bah) to curb illegal activities in Jalan Tasik Utama in Bandar Tun Razak.

They were later taken away by the National Anti Drugs Agency (AADK) for urine tests and further investigation.

Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) activist Datuk Nadzim Johan, who was present as an observer, said AADK nabbed them following suspicion that they were drug addicts.

“Moreover, some suspicious characters had tailed the authorities’ during previous operations. This time, we have a stronger team from various agencies to nab them.”

Nadzim said the operations would make the residents feel safer.

“The residents have complained to us that they felt unsafe in their neighbourhood,” he said.

Over 350 personnel from 13 agencies, including the Federal Territories Ministry, City Hall, AADK, Immigration Department, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) and Telekom Malaysia, took part in the raid.

They were divided into three groups to check on different areas in Bandar Tun Razak.

Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikhsan said the operation targeted illegal massage parlours and cyber cafes which offered illegal gambling.

“There are 300 illegal cyber cafes here and 40 of them are in this area. So far, we have confiscated 130 computers from two illegal cyber cafes.

“We have also torn down those premises, especially their entrances,” he said.

Adnan expressed disappointment that the business operators have defied the authorities by continuing their illegal activities.

“Syabas and TNB have previously cut off their water and electricity supply but they resorted to illegal connections,” he said.

He added that those caught will be brought to book.

“I don’t think imposing fines is a deterrent because they are raking in more than the fines,” said Adnan.

At press time, the operation was still ongoing.

Credits : http://www.nst.com.my/node/37327

2109) ARKIB BERITA PPIM - 26/8/2014 NEWS STRAITS TIMES - Support For PM's GST Stand

Support for PM’s GST stand

KUALA LUMPUR: Consumer agencies and experts echoed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's stand that  the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and subsidy reforms will boost the country's economy and competitiveness on a global scale.

National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) board member Muhammad Shaani Abdullah said that local performance was key in ensuring Malaysia could compete in the uncertain global market.

"We have to be strong locally in order to compete globally. GST and subsidy reforms provide funds for the government to improve in all aspects." he said.
Shaani added that although taxes played a part in making the country more resilient, performance was also imperative.

"GST is more efficient and transparent. Though it does not directly contribute to the economy, it does provide the government the needs to maintain infrastructure and services of the country." he said, adding this will give the market greater confidence to invest in Malaysia as said by Naijb.

Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said GST will indeed increase the country's global competitiveness as it is pervasive and goes down to the lowest level of the economy, the consumers.

"GST ensures the government receives a good stream of income, all for the benefit of the rakyat. We should improve the present tax structure to undergo these troubling economic times." he said.
Nadzim added Malaysians should not be afraid or anxious about the implementation of GST scheduled for April 1 next year.

"Malaysians are used to price hikes. Not a lot of impact would be felt if they know that this will benefit the country in the long run."

"Malaysians should start planning their domestic economy and avoid being thrifty in every sense." he said, adding the government would never have planned for the implementation of GST if they were not confident about it.

Economist Professor Dr Barjoyai Bardai of Universiti Tun Abdul Razak said Malaysia would be able to stand at par with developed countries once GST is implemented.
"We are looking at GST as a way to restructure the tax system positively. In as soon as five years after implementing GST, it will take over from income tax as a source of government revenue." he said.

Barjoyai said subsidies on the other hand, did not increase productivity.  "It is high time for the government to reform subsidies. They should go to the needy groups in society, if it goes to the rich, it is considered a waste for the country."

"In reforming subsidies, the government should target the low-income group and gradually remove subsidies from the high-income group.”
Barjoyai also said GST and subsidy reforms could soften the blow of future financial downturn.

On Monday, Najib said the implementation of GST and the move to reform the distribution of subsidies will make the nation's economy more resilient in an uncertain  global market.

Credit to: http://www.nst.com.my/node/26870