Day: June 29, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) will propose the setting up of a special fund to benefit more than 500,000 rubber smallholders nationwide to the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW).

RISDA chairman Manndzri Nasib said the proposal is a strategic step to address various issues, including limited land ownership, high operating costs, climate change, market price instability and labour shortages that affect the government’s efforts to increase the country’s rubber productivity.

“The proposal for this special fund will be refined by RISDA board members by ensuring the annual profits generated by companies under RISDA Holdings Group will not only benefit shareholders through a 30 per cent dividend but also provide direct benefits to the rubber smallholders community,” he said in a statement today.

He added that the setting up of this fund, which is expected to be realised, will also act as a catalyst to improve smallholders’ quality of life in line with th
e aspirations of Desa MADANI, as envisioned by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister.

This year, RISDA has been entrusted to empower the rubber smallholder community through the MADANI budget involving an allocation of RM676 million, with RM411 million earmarked for implementing rubber smallholder development programmes and RM265 million for the Monsoon Season Aid (BMT).

During his working visit to a RISDA-guided entrepreneur project in Sik, Kedah last Friday, Manndzri visited crafts entrepreneur Mohd Rizal Musfata, 47, who started his business in 2018.

Mohd Rizal, a RISDA smallholder who received assistance in the form of a grant amounting to RM10,000 in 2021 and RM5,000 in 2022, participated in entrepreneurship development courses, which helped his business by improving product quality and expanding his marketing network.

Mohd Rizal also expressed his gratitude to KKDW and RISDA for the assistance in upgrading his business, enabling h
im to earn a total income of over RM60,000 last year.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysians have welcomed the decision by the Unity Government to maintain electricity tariffs for all users in Peninsular Malaysia until Dec 31 and view it as a step to ease inflation and the rising cost of living.

Senior citizen and housewife M. Shanti, 62, said although the move might not seem significant, it has far-reaching consequences, as any rise in utility costs would have imposed additional strain to monthly living costs for everyone.

“This shows that the government understands the challenges faced by Malaysians, striving to ensure stability and affordability, a reassuring step that allows us to focus on essential needs without the worry of escalating expenses, particularly important for those of us managing our homes alone,’ she said.

Social media content creator, Vicky Chandran, 25, who mostly works from home, said today’s announcement proved that the government really considered the public’s the impact of rising costs on people’s livelihood.

She said the news was positive for he
r as her line of work required a lot of time in front of her laptop and phone and as such, she used a great deal of electricity at home.

Civil servant Mohamad Tarmizi Abdul Rahman, 37, who works in TERENGGANU, expressed relief that while there was no reduction in tariffs, there were also no additional costs placed on his monthly commitments, while in PERLIS, public university employee Aininulniza Mohd Yusof, 37, saw the move as the government’s concern towards the current problems and economic challenges faced by the average Malaysian.

In KELANTAN, housewife, Mona Ahmad, 52, said that the retention of existing tariffs would ensure her monthly expenses, including utility bills, would remain as normal.

“I also hope that the government’s move to not raise electricity tariffs will be extended to a longer period to allow us to prepare for next year’s schooling period,’ she said.

Consumers in NEGERI SEMBILAN, KEDAH and JOHOR, Assan Kidam, 74; Khairuddin Mohd Aziz, 53 and Mohammed Khairul Mohd Ali, 39 all viewed
the announcement as the right move as it will not affect household finances.

Petty traders like biscuit seller Muhammad Hafiq Norzan, 32, and seamstress Maisarah Halim, 46, who run their respective businesses in PAHANG and MELAKA, felt that the retention of the electricity tariffs would help them balance business costs and sale prices to buyers.

Meanwhile in PENANG, the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) welcomed the government’s move to reduce the surcharge by 1 sen/kWh for street lighting category (tariff G and G1), with Seberang Perai Mayor Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid stating that the reduction would allow the council to save up to five per cent in payments to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), and a total reduction of around RM740,000 annually.

Meanwhile, PERAK State Consumer Movement member Khairul Anwar El Syazalli Musa noted that the upcoming implementation of targeted subsidies would be more significant than today’s tariff announcement.

‘As an entity that’s close to the people, the government can hold tow
nhall sessions with all consumer associations to get more detailed information and data as consumer associations are different from industry associations,’ he said.

The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry also announced today that the government has also agreed to lower the surcharge by 1 sen/kWh for street lighting category (tariff G and G1) under the supervision of the local authorities for the same period.

Commercial and industrial users will also enjoy a reduction in the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT) rate of 1 sen/kWh from July to December 2024.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is concerned about the rising cases of tampering involving its company assets, its chief executive officer Mohd Yusof Jaafar said.

He said that tampering with SESB meters and electric cable theft are offences that require serious attention from the public, especially SESB consumers, adding that the company will be uncompromising with cases of electric theft and tampering with electric cables and would seek compensation through legal action.

‘In such cases, SESB will issue a letter of demand over the losses and bring the matter to court. If consumers refuse to cooperate, stern action will be taken,’ he said in a statement today.

There have been several court cases filed over compensation and the company was following up on cases submitted to the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECOS) and the police for further action, he said.

He stressed that SESB was also conducting periodic checks to identify account owners, especially business premises that installed meter ta
mpering devices, and has approved a policy to reward those who provide tipoffs on such illegal activities.

‘SESB is also enforcing the use of Authority Cards for SESB employees to ensure only valid SESB employees can handle SESB meters at consumers’ premises,’ he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is concerned about the rising cases of tampering involving its company assets, its chief executive officer Mohd Yusof Jaafar said.

He said that tampering with SESB meters and electric cable theft are offences that require serious attention from the public, especially SESB consumers, adding that the company will be uncompromising with cases of electric theft and tampering with electric cables and would seek compensation through legal action.

‘In such cases, SESB will issue a letter of demand over the losses and bring the matter to court. If consumers refuse to cooperate, stern action will be taken,’ he said in a statement today.

There have been several court cases filed over compensation and the company was following up on cases submitted to the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECOS) and the police for further action, he said.

He stressed that SESB was also conducting periodic checks to identify account owners, especially business premises that installed meter ta
mpering devices, and has approved a policy to reward those who provide tipoffs on such illegal activities.

‘SESB is also enforcing the use of Authority Cards for SESB employees to ensure only valid SESB employees can handle SESB meters at consumers’ premises,’ he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

NIBONG TEBAL, The Penang police have issued 61 permits for campaign activities, speeches, and friendly visits by political parties contesting in the Sungai Bakap by-election since campaigning commenced on June 22.

Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad announced that on the eighth day of campaigning today, 16 permits have been approved, with none rejected so far.

“The number of police reports and investigation papers related to the Sungai Bakap by-election remains at one, which is under Section 427 of the Penal Code for damaging campaign materials such as political party flags and banners.

“The police also advise campaigners to ensure that campaign areas, such as rally sites and meeting places, are cleaned up after use and to avoid damaging public property,” he said in a statement today.

The Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6 will see a one-on-one contest between Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr. Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional candidate Abidin Ismail, following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff
on May 24 due to abdominal inflammation.

The Election Commission set a 14-day campaign period beginning the day after last Saturday’s nominations, until 11:59 pm on July 5.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency