Tag: Transparency

PR Urges Central Government to Revoke Protection of Companies Monopolising the Sugar Market

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KUALA LUMPUR, 30 Oct: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) urges the Central Government to revoke the raw sugar procurement system and the protection of companies monopolising the sugar market in this country resulting in the higher price of sugar.

Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua, said that the action to revoke would allow for the government to offer a lower sugar price for the people after opening up the market involving sugar companies in the country.

He said, with the elimination of the monopoly, the people will enjoy lower prices for sugar and sugar companies will become more efficient by not having to rely on government assistance.

“Pakatan Rakyat is of the opinion that the monopoly of sugar companies does not benefit the people at all.

“It is better to open the sugar market and let the price of sugar be determined by competition between companies and suppliers of sugar,” said Tony Pua in a press statement at the Parliament lobby.

Tony Pua said the method of importing raw sugar from companies abroad is just a trick to get a lower cost, enabling the company involved to gain handsomely.

“If sugar prices are set by the government, it should not increase their (companies) profits by so much.

“We suspect that the government is importing raw sugar to enable these companies to gain more profit,” he said.

Yesterday, Tony Pua revealed that the sugar price hike is not on the basis of subsidy cuts, rather it stems from the Central Government’s move to sign the raw sugar agreement at a high price.

In January 2012, the Minister of Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives (KPDNKK), Datuk Ismail Sabri, announced that the government has signed a three-year deal to import raw sugar at the price of USD25 per 100lbs.

As a result, the people are forced to enjoy sugar that is more expensive due to the agreement signed by the KPDNKK last year.

Student: Government in a Hurry to Implement GST

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SHAH ALAM, 30 Oct: The Central Government is in a hurry to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will burden the people when there is no mechanism to increase the people’s income.

The President of Student Solidarity Malaysia (SMM) Safwan Anang, said that the Central Government has been urged to first solve the problem of corruption, leakages and improvidence occurring in expenses, as reported in the Auditor-General’s Report before the GST is implemented.

He said students will be affected and impacted from the implementation of the GST at the rate of 6 percent starting from 1 April 2015 because they are also consumers who buy goods and necessities.

“If the federal government does not want to hear the sound of protest, together, students are ready to mobilise this voice of protest,” he said when contacted by TVSelangor.

Safwan hopes that students will enhance awareness and understanding of the implementation of the GST so that they are able to be the people’s spokespeople.

“When the campus elections are still hot, it is hoped that the GST will also be debated. But unfortunately, this did not happen due to external political interference which has caused the GST issue to be quiet,” he said.

The introduction of the GST at a rate of six percent will be more burdensome for the young people because 82.5 percent of them earn RM3,000 and below.

The impact will be felt by the young people when the rate of inflation rises due to the increase in price of goods and services while income has not changed much.

CM Visits SP Setia Bhd Housing Project

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SHAH ALAM, 30 Oct: Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim spent over half an hour visiting the latest apartment housing project using the ‘prefabricated’ method which is being developed by a leading property developer, SP Setia Berhad.

During the visit to the project site, Abdul Khalid, who was accompanied by Selangor State Excos, was given detailed descriptions regarding the housing project by the Chief Operating Officer of SP Setia, Datuk Voon Tin Yow.

The housing project, among others, is being built near the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and Jalan Meru, Klang, with house area estimated at 850 square feet each.

A total of 3,960 apartment units at the 11-storey buildings are being offered at the market price of RM220,000, and has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and other facilities such as a swimming pool.

The medium-cost apartment project commenced building over a year ago and targets families with a household income of about RM3,000 per month.

It is understood that the housing project has been fully sold to the public.

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The People Should Practice Cleanliness and Environmental Care

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: The people have been urged to always practice cleanliness, which is the central to the well-being of a family in creating a culture where the community is responsible towards environmental care.

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Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said effort towards cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility which should be implemented, especially in urban communities.

He said that communities should have the attitude of ensuring that their families and neighbours live in a clean and protected environment.

“The Selangor Government will continue to support all efforts and activities related to loving a green and clean environment,” said Abdul Khalid.

Abdul Khalid said that the aspect of cleanliness is to overcome political interests that need to be nurtured by all members of society, regardless of their background.

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He said this during the opening speech of the “Enhancement of IQ vs the Strengthening of Immunity” which was held here at the Setia City Convention Centre.

About 500 people attended the programme, including the Chairman of Top Glove, Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai and the Vice-President of SP Setia, Datuk Khor Chap Jen.

The programme was organised by three companies; Top Glove Corporation Berhad, SP Setia Berhad and Khind Holding Berhad, in conjunction with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the companies in preserving a greener environment.

Implement GST, More People are Burdened

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: The implementation of the GST will only increase the price of goods and the tax burden would have to be shouldered even after the abolition of the Sales and Service Tax (SST).

Serdang Member of Parliament, Dr Ong Kian Ming said that the Umno-BN Government is misleading the people by giving the impression that most of the prices of goods and the taxes paid by consumers will be reduced after the introduction of the GST.

“The truth is that the tax imposed under the SST is far less than what is taxable under the GST,” he said in a statement.

Kian Ming said among other things claimed to not be under the sales tax but will be under the GST includes many non-luxury items such as milk, tea, mineral water, canned fruit, newspaper, stationery, school bags and boxes.

He said consumers of electricity below 200kWh (any amount exceeding RM50) will also be charges the GST. The price of these items will definitely increase after the GST because the abolishing of the SST has an impact on price.

Currently, the sales tax is limited to certain restaurants and professional services such as accountants, architects, motor vehicle service and repair centres, telecommunication services, security services, real estate agents, car park operators and legal services.

“The broader coverage under the GST means that more services will be subject to the GST compared to the current service tax. This would mean that the price of services will increase.

“The truth is that the GST will increase the price of the majority of goods and services even after removing the SST, the financial burden of the people will increase,” he said.

Umno-BN Government Improvident, People Incur the GST and Reduction of Subsidies

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: The reduction of subsidies and the imposing of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not a solution to the country’s economic problems which stems from the improvident attitude in Umno-BN’s spending.

PAS Information Chief, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the implementation of the GST can only be done when the Umno-BN takes responsibility to reduce its operational management and not continue to be improvident with public money.

He said that the people are not given a period to adjust to the GST when it is announced at the high rate of 6 percent starting from 1 April 201.

“With the GST, those who do not have cars and do not have permanent jobs so as to not quality to pay taxed on every purchase,” he said in a statement.

Tuan Ibrahim said, in Singapore, the GST was introduced at a rate of 3 percent before gradually increasing to 7 percent.

“Some say that villagers will not feel the burden of the GST. It should be reminded that most of the items sold in grocery stores in villages come from suppliers in the city.

“The goods would already be subject to the GST when they arrive at the grocery store. Although small grocery stores are exempt from the GST because it does not exceed the minimum procurement, goods sold to village communities would certainly be more expensive because it would already been subject to the GST by suppliers,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua said that the government’s move to impose the GST is not able to hide their failure in controlling excessive spending since the deficit remains the same.

The additional collection in tax as specified in the Economic Report 2013/2014 should help alleviate the chronic deficit to 2.6 percent, but instead it remains unchanged at the four percent forecast.

“Although the government collects much higher that the revenues expected, the deficit for 2013 remains unchanged at RM39.3 billion.

“This means that every cent of additional revenue collected by the government is immediately spent, rather than contributing to reduce the debt,” he said.

Shah Alam to Receive Investment of RM35 Billion

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SHAH ALAM, 27 Oct: Foreign investors to invest RM35 million in Shah Alam in the next five years in various fields, thus boosting the Selangor economy.

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Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the forecast is based on positive feedback given by investors during his visit to Singapore recently.

“Shah Alam will become the most prominent city in Malaysia as having the most potential to be developed,” he said.

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Abdul Khalid said, thus to ensure progress, efficiency of public transport needs to be improved to reduce traffic congestion.

“Any development in the future should emphasise the aspect of public transportation. It is time for use to use public transportation compared to personal transportation.

“Personal transportation has become ineffective seeing the time we spend in traffic jams,” said Abdul Khalid.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Cahaya SPK flyover bridge and the “Flag Off 5km Fun Run” here at the SPK Sahaya Club

Abdul Khalid said that the state government’s long term plans is to upgrade the public transport network.

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“At this time, the network of public transportation is less than 7 percent. We strive to improve it so that we can reach 60 percent in 10 years,” he said.

Earlier, Abdul Khalid inaugurated the 536 metre Chaya SPK Flyover which cost RM12 million to complete in early 2013 to reduce traffic in the area and to facilitate 20,000 residents.

Also present at the ceremony was the Mayor of Shah Alam, Datuk Jaafar Mohd Atan and the Executive Director of Group Cahaya SPK, Saiful Aznir Shahabudin.

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BN Fails to Fulfill Pledge to Increase BR1M to RM1,200

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SHAH ALAM, 26 Oct: The Umno-BN Government failed to meet the pledge they made themselves before the 13th General Election (GE-13) to increase the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) in the Budget 2014 to RM1,200 when they announced giving only RM650 per year.

Member of Parliament for Kulai, Teo Nie Ching and Assemblyman for Batu Caves, Amiruddin Shari questioned the assistance for households earning RM3,000 a month and below which will be increased from RM500 to RM650.

In February – before the 13th General Election – Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin reportedly said that the assistance may be increased to RM1,000 if BN manages to defend Putrajaya.

Among the pledges previously announced before the GE-13 is to increase the BR1M to RM1,200 for households and RM600 for singles every year, for the next five years.

“#Budget2014 BR1M (assistance) will be increased to RM650. I remember the DPM previously promising RM1,000,” said Teo in her tweet late yesterday evening.

Meanwhile, Amiruddin said: “Promises fulfilled! Promise RM1,000 (for) BR1M, get RM650,” he said in his tweet.

According to opinions on Facebook, Zulkifli Hasan said after scrutinising the 2014 budget, analysis of economists and the BN Pledge, he wonders whether a team of lawyers should be established to sue the federal government for not undertaking their pledge.

“The Selangor Government was brought to court for allegedly failing to fulfill its manifesto. Why can’t the federal government?” he said.

Muhyiddin, among others, reportedly said that the BR1M will not only be given for the second time, but for the third, fourth, fifth, or forever if BN wins in forming the government.

Budget 2014: Rich Man’s Budget, Poor to Get Poorer

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The implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) as announced by Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak in his budget speech in Parliament today is a heavy blow to the poor and the lower income group.

Furthermore, starting at 6%, it is exorbitant. Comparing to Singapore’s GST at the current rate of 7% is also misleading because when it was introduced in 1994 it was only at 3%. And this is after 13 years.

In any event, comparing to countries like Singapore and those in Europe is pointless because of the much higher level of governance in those countries.

For Malaysians, the cost of living is already high enough without the GST. With this tax now, a heavier burden is placed on the poor since they have little choice but to spend most of their disposable income.

The argument by Najib that GST will cause many goods and services to actually cost less is totally false and a serious misrepresentation to the people.

They will not be able to leverage on the GST with greater savings and investments unlike the rich and the higher income group. This will create greater real inequality and cause further social injustice.

If last year’s budget was a ‘people’s budget’ because of the May general election, then this is a “rich man’s budget” because the UMNO-Barisan government feels that it is no longer beholden to the people.

They held back the GST because they knew the opposition from the people. Now that the elections are over, it’s a different story altogether. So, the poor are set to become poorer.

I foresee cumulative inflationary pressure and more increases in cost of living.

The thrust on driving greater tourism, building more 5-star hotels and vying with the world to have the best cities has little resonance with the people.

Where is the effort to bring down transportation cost or to improve public transportation services? There is nothing on making homes more affordable. Health care has been neglected.

Though the allocation is substantial, the problem again will be the diffusion and distribution of the funds. Last year’s excessive and questionable expenditure on English training is just one example.

The entrepreneurial fund by way of soft loans to ease unemployment among graduates will be only lead to greater indebtedness.

What these graduates need is greater soft skills and more training in vocational and technical areas to enhance their employability, not more debt.

The proposal to fund SPM leavers for vocational training is good in principle but the follow through and the actual areas of specialization is important.

We all agree that the budget deficit must be reduced but extracting more money from the people is not the way.

The fundamental problem concerns leakages, wastages and corruption. Without comprehensively dealing with this problem, we are looking at a bottomless pit. No amount of taxes collected will solve the problem.

MOHAMED AZMIN ALI
PKR Deputy President

Budget 2014 Fails to Offset Maximum Limit of the National Debt Below 55 Percent

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SHAH ALAM, 26 Oct: The Budget 2014 presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak failed to offset the maximum national debt below 55 percent from the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and reduce deficit by 3 percent in 2015.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the approach taken in the Budget 2014 to increase revenue through the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the increase in the real property gains tax (RPGT) does not meet with the requirements of actual changes in ensuring efficiency of expenditure and rationalisation to reduce improvidence and leakages.

“Operating expenses for cost rationalisation will increase to 82.4 percent in 2014 from 80.2 percent this year,” said Abdul Khalid in his media statement.

Abdul Khalid said that Selangor will take advantage of the move to enrich the services sector through the Services Sector Blueprint when the Federal Government plans to launch it in 2014.

Among the sub-sectors of services to be promoted is that Selangor will be the leader in logistics, aviation, tourism and bio-based industries.

“As the gateway to Malaysia, Selangor will endure that various programmes and activities will be held to explore opportunities in Malaysia’s tourism industry by aiming to welcome 28 million tourists in 2014 in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year,” said Abdul Khalid.

Budget 2014, MBPJ Focuses of 5 Key Development Sectors

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PETALING JAYA, 26 Oct: The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will focus on five key development sectors in the Selangor Budget 2014.

These sectors are; infrastructure, environmentally friendly environment, efficient traffic management, sustainable lifestyle and organisation empowerment.

The Mayor of Petaling Jaya, Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad said emphasis will be put on providing world class services and facilities to meet the needs of the Petaling Jaya community.

“By improving efficiency in traffic management and infrastructure, the Council is committed to improving the quality of public facilities and public transport networks to address traffic problems,” she said when chairing the full MBPJ meeting here.

In relation to that, a total of RM1 million is allocated to provide feeder bus services, and RM4.67 million to provide ‘Park n Ride’ facilities in special areas, as well as RM6.07 million to build bicycle and pedestrian paths that are comfortable and safe.

She said, cooperation and full support from all parties is needed in order to achieve this vision.

“For example, support from the Petaling District Land Office is necessary for immediate processing of TOL land acquisition for the construction of the ‘Park n Ride’ facility, so is cooperation from utility provider agencies.

“This includes Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Indah Water Konsortium and other agencies so that any construction of road excavation will not cause serious disruptions to road users,” she added.

In the meantime, MBPK is also planning the development of the city so that it would become a city which is liveable, loved and has soul.

To achieve this, development planning should be focused on creating a workable public space to create social interaction among city dwellers.

“The council wants for city dwellers to be able to work, play and live in urban areas with passion, a sense of grace and wholeheartedly,” she added.

Pakatan Budget: PWD and Senior Citizens will be given Emphasis

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KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Oct: The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Budget 2014 announced RM500 million per year to carry out development for Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

Among the initiatives is to increase subsistence allowance from RM300 to RM500 per month for PWD who work but with a monthly income below RM1,200 and to provide special allocation for those with severe disabilities, up to a maximum of RM1,000 per month.

To carry that our, PR aims to register 400,000 PWD a year beginning 2014 so that the total registered will be 80% within five years’ time, to ensure this community receive the full benefits entitled to them.

PR will also continue to emphasise in increasing access for PWD to facilities, amenities, services and public transport to enforce the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 which is rights-based.

This includes ensuring that the total number of car park bays for PWD follows UN standards, which is one PWD car park bay per 50 ordinary car park bays, with the appropriate car park size and location.

In addition, PR will improve road surfaces so that non-step buses can be fully utilised by PWD.

PR outlines to strengthen benefits for seniors by increasing the total number of geriatricians from approximately 16 today to at least 1,000 by 2030.

The effort is in preparing for an aging population including healthcare and welfare which will increase by a single fold from 7% to 14% in 28 years’ time.