PMR 2025 helps entrepreneurs, boosts domestic economic growth
TAWAU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has praised the initiative to hold the MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 at the district level, as it helps entrepreneurs boost their income and spur domestic economic growth.
He said such programmes give local entrepreneurs and the public access to information about entrepreneurship initiatives while promoting local products to a broader audience.
'This effort is also a step towards engaging the people, ensuring that the promotion of MADANI Government development programmes extends beyond selected areas.
'This is proof that the MADANI Government never neglects its responsibilities to the people, no matter where they are,' he said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the PMR 2025 at the Tawau Municipal Council Square today. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the closing ceremony.
Hajiji also expressed hope that the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives (KUSKOP) will continue to provide such programmes in Sabah, thereby empowering entrepreneurship development in the state.
He said several entrepreneurship initiatives have been introduced in Sabah, including the 'Premis Tamu Desa' project, the TEKUN TikTok Shop, and the establishment of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Hub by SME Corporation Malaysia, which benefits over 50,000 MSME entrepreneurs in Sabah.
'The ehsan@KUSKOP initiative is a viable means to eradicate extreme poverty through targeted interventions that include mentoring, training, funding, and thorough monitoring,' he said.
Hajiji also called for better access to banking services, particularly from KUSKOP-affiliated agencies like Bank Rakyat, by suggesting opening more branches or installing ATMs in rural areas.
He added that Sabah also offers various entrepreneurship development programmes for youth, such as the Youth Entrepreneur Success Scheme, under the Sabah Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Hajiji said programmes such as the Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme Workshop (BUSS) and the Technical Entrepreneur Scheme Workshop (BEST) are provided for graduates and university leavers under the Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry.
'The state government, through Yayasan Usaha Maju (YUM), an agency established in 1995, continues to support traders by offering microloans to targeted groups, including women entrepreneurs who require capital to grow their businesses,' he said.
He added that Sabah has significantly reduced poverty and hardcore poverty rates and remains committed to intensifying efforts to eliminate hardship in the state.
Hajiji expressed optimism that the strong ties between the state and federal governments will continue to be strengthened.
'We are optimistic that the cooperation and close ties between the state and federal governments are essential for our collective success in achieving the goals of a MADANI society that is progressive, knowledgeable, possesses integrity, and thrives in a prosperous and harmonious environment,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
37 minutes ago
- The Sun
Govt's Progress Real, Not Due to Weak Opposition
PADANG RENGAS: Opposition leaders should accept reality and stop making excuses to deny the various positive changes and benefits currently being implemented by the government, said the Finance Minister's political secretary Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim. He dismissed claims that the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, merely looks strong because the opposition is weak. On the contrary, he said the strength of the MADANI Government stems from the hard work of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, as well as the unique multi-ethnic composition of its component parties, all working towards a better future for the country. 'The government has planned various initiatives and strategies, including programmes aimed at laying a strong foundation to revitalise the nation's economy and improve the people's well-being. 'We are not saying everything is perfect, but the government is making efforts to introduce clear policies to enhance public well-being in various areas such as the quality of education, healthcare and equitable direct assistance to the people,' he said. He said this when met by Bernama at the Korban Perdana MADANI Programme and Kenduri Rakyat for the Padang Rengas parliamentary constituency at the Dewan Terbuka Masjid Al-Taufiqiyah Chuar Kati here today. Muhammad Kamil said Anwar and the Cabinet are fully committed to improving the country's economic performance while maintaining political stability. 'We can see the indicators today — such as economic growth, unemployment rate, poverty level, inflation, trade and investment, as well as the country's fiscal position. 'The unemployment rate is stable, and poverty and inflation rates have declined. The Gross Domestic Product and total trade are both expanding, showing that our country is now on the right track,' he said. He added that these achievements prove the effectiveness of the MADANI Government's economic policies and governance in ensuring inclusive and resilient development.
Malaysian Reserve
2 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
SST expands from July, but essentials stay tax-free
by AUFA MARDHIAH STARTING July 1, 2025, the government will expand the Sales and Service Tax (SST) to include more luxury goods and service sectors — but essential items and key services for Malaysians will remain tax-free. 'To ensure the majority of the people are not affected by the SST review, the MADANI Government is taking a targeted approach to ensure basic goods and services are not taxed. 'In addition, various facilities are also provided to reduce the impact on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs),' said the Finance Minister 2, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan (picture), in a statement. The move is part of efforts to strengthen the country's finances without raising the cost of living for most people. Under the updated rules, essential goods like rice, vegetables, cooking oil, medicine, books, pet food, cement, sand, and farming supplies will continue to be exempt from sales tax. According to the ministry, this is to protect the cost of living and keep inflation under control. However, some non-essential and luxury items will now be taxed. A 5% sales tax will apply to things like king crab, truffle mushrooms, imported fruits, essential oils, silk fabrics, and industrial machinery. Premium items such as racing bicycles and antique artwork will be taxed at 10%. The service tax will also be extended to six new sectors — rental and leasing, construction, financial services, private healthcare, education, and beauty services. The tax rates will range from 6% to 8%, depending on the type of service and revenue earned. For rental and leasing services, an 8% tax will be charged only if the company earns more than RM500,000 a year. Exemptions include residential property rentals, reading materials, overseas leasing, and MSMEs earning below the threshold. Construction services will face a 6% tax if the provider earns over RM1.5 million a year. Housing projects and public facilities are exempt, and B2B transactions may also qualify for relief to avoid double taxation. In finance, only services with fees or commissions will be taxed at 8%. Basic services like savings accounts, interest charges, and Islamic financing will remain tax-free. Other exemptions include forex gains, remittances, and life or medical insurance brokerage. Private healthcare will only be taxed for non-Malaysians at a 6% rate. Malaysians will remain exempt from both public and private healthcare costs, including traditional treatments and allied health services such as physiotherapy, audiology, and speech therapy. In education, private schools that charge more than RM60,000 per student per year will be taxed. However, Malaysian students in all education levels will not be affected. Special exemption will also be given to students with disabilities. Beauty services like facials and hairstyling will be taxed at 8%, but only if the business earns more than RM500,000 annually. The government will give companies time to adjust and has promised no penalties for non-compliance until the end of 2025. 'The additional revenue from this improved SST will support further enhancements in public services, particularly in expanding cash assistance to the people and improving infrastructure and service delivery nationwide,' he said further. Businesses are encouraged to check if they fall under the new tax rules and to consult the Royal Malaysian Customs Department for guidance. The measure forms part of the government's broader MADANI economic framework aimed at strengthening Malaysia's social safety net and promoting targeted taxation without increasing the cost of living for the general public.
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak champions clean energy vision at Energy Exports Conference 2025 in Scotland
(From left) Hazland, Muhammad Abdullah, Siti and Robert speaking during the EEC 2025 in Aberdeen, Scotland. – Photo from Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability KUCHING (June 9): Sarawak has reaffirmed its dedication to global partnerships and clean energy leadership at the Energy Exports Conference (EEC) 2025 in Aberdeen, Scotland, positioning itself as a key driver of a sustainable and resilient energy future for the region. According to a statement from Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, during the conference, the state presented its green and blue economy agenda under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which emphasises a balance between economic growth, social inclusion and environmental stewardship. Deputy State Secretary (Economic and Planning) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel highlighted Sarawak's transparent and investor-friendly environment, reiterating the state's zero-tolerance stance on corruption. He invited international partners to collaborate on scaling clean energy solutions and advancing inclusive development. Sarawak Energy Berhad's senior vice president of Corporate Services Siti Aisah Adenan shared the company's long-term sustainability roadmap, which includes plans for cross-border grid integration to enable renewable energy exports and strengthen regional energy reliability. SEDC Energy chief executive officer Robert Hardin outlined ongoing collaborations with Japanese and South Korean partners to develop hydrogen and ammonia export capabilities. He said the Sarawak H2 Hub in Bintulu, developed with Gentari Sdn Bhd, will supply green hydrogen for industrial use and support Sarawak's ambition to become a commercial hydrogen producer by 2027. Earlier in the conference, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni delivered a keynote during the Sarawak session on Opportunities in Borneo, highlighting the state's energy transition as being driven by strong policy frameworks, continued investment in innovation and close regional cooperation.
