
PAS wants S'wak govt to offer B40 targeted subsidies to counter expanded SST's effects
MIRI (July 7): Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) Sarawak has called on the state government to review the expanded sales and service tax (SST), especially on essential consumer goods.
PAS Sarawak commissioner Jofri Jaraiee said the expanded SST, which came into effect on July 1, has impacted various sectors, including construction and education, directly contributing to higher prices of items such as cement and school supplies.
'Small traders are also affected by increased transportation costs, which in turn drives up the retail prices of consumer goods.
'This situation not only burdens low-income households but also disrupts their daily lives,' he said in a statement today.
According to him, PAS Sarawak has received numerous complaints from people of all walks of life, who are now forced to cut back on spending, reduce essential purchases, or incur debt to cope with the rising cost of living.
'The state government should reintroduce targeted subsidies for the B40 group for basic food items and educational needs.
'Additionally, they also should control the prices of construction materials and transportation services, which are vital for rural development,' he proposed.
Jofri also called on the state government to establish a special state-level price monitoring mechanism to prevent price manipulation by suppliers or certain parties.
'We hope the government will listen to the people's concerns and take immediate, fair, and prudent action to safeguard the welfare of its citizens,' he added. expanded SST Jofri Jaraiee pas sarawak

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Proton ends first six months of 2025 with increased market share
PETALING JAYA: Proton has closed its books for the first six months of the year with an increased share of the Malaysian automotive market. Group sales in June amounted to 11,069 units, a slight increase over the same month in 2024, while total year-to-date (YTD) sales totalled 72,156 units, the second highest in the industry. Market share for the month is estimated to be at 20.7%, an increase of 1.1% over the previous month and 1.2% ahead of the YTD figure of 19.5%. Conversely, total industry volume (TIV) is estimated to have closed at 53,500 units in June, a reduction of 21% compared to the TIV figure of 68.007 in May. One of the constants for Proton's sales performance has been the strong performance of its B-segment SUV model, the Proton X50. Launched in October 2020, over 140,000 units have been sold in Malaysia and overseas markets, firmly cementing its position as the sales in its class for five years in a row. For June 2025, 1,657 units of the Proton X50 were sold, keeping it ahead of all competitors in the class. The total includes 353 units for the export market where the model accounts for 47% of the company's total export volume. For the first half of the year 11,361 units have been sold, marking an increase of 11.3% over the first six months of 2024. While sales of the current model remain strong, Proton is launching an all-new Proton X50 this month. Depressed market conditions in June resulted in lower sales compared to May but there were three Proton models that ended the month as segment leaders. One of these was the Proton X50 while the other two were the Proton X90 and Proton S70, which continued to lead the D-segment SUV and C-segment sedan markets, respectively. The model with the highest sales growth figure for the first half of 2025 is the Proton X70. 'After performing strongly in May, automotive sales dropped by 15,000 units in June due to external factors such as rising tensions in the Middle East and the expansion of the scope of SST affecting buyer sentiment. Despite this, Proton managed to outperform the market to increase our market share percentage ahead of a busy second half of the year where we have a full slate of events and model introductions. With new models arriving in our showrooms, the outlook is for the company to have a stronger second half to 2025 as we seek to increase sales for our ICE and EV offerings,' said Proton Edar deputy CEO Zhang Qiang.


Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Lawyer moots designated areas for peaceful assemblies
Lawyer Andrew Khoo said peaceful assemblies should be allowed and that the police should facilitate them as required by law. PETALING JAYA : A lawyer has proposed that the government designate areas for peaceful assemblies nationwide, following the Federal Court's decision yesterday that the penalty for failing to notify the police of proposed rallies is unconstitutional. Andrew Khoo, a former co-chair of the Bar Council's constitutional law committee, said the decision of the apex court affirmed the freedom to peacefully assemble. 'After 13 years of the coming into force of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, it is well past due for the state and federal governments to designate convenient and easily accessible places in every town and city in the country to hold peaceful assemblies,' he said in a statement. Khoo added that the proposed 'maidan' or public squares should be places where the voice of the people is heard, not feared. 'Maidan' is a term of Persian origin referring to designated open spaces where the public can gather and exercise their right to assemble. Khoo said peaceful assemblies should be allowed, and that the police should facilitate them as required by law. 'The proper legal recourse lies in the Penal Code for any violation of peace and order by the organisers or participants of the assembly,' he said. The Federal Court had unanimously ruled that it is unconstitutional to criminalise the failure to notify the police five days in advance of holding a peaceful assembly. Outgoing Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, delivering the decision of a five-member panel, said Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 imposes a punishment that exceeds the limits permitted under Article 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution. Article 10(1)(b) guarantees the freedom of speech, assembly, and association. She said the section was 'a disproportionate intervention' and amounted to a prohibition rather than a restriction of that right. The decision stemmed from a constitutional challenge brought by former Muda secretary-general Amir Hadi, who was charged in 2022 with failing to give the police five days' notice before organising a protest outside the Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur. Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said yesterday that his ministry would examine the Federal Court's ruling. The ministry is expected to table an amendment to Section 11 of the Act, which requires organisers of assemblies to obtain the consent of the location's owner or occupier, at the next parliamentary sitting.


Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Najib gave conflicting answers over source of funds, court told
SRC International is suing Najib Razak and former CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil for wrongfully receiving company property, and dishonestly and wrongfully conspiring to convert company property for their own use. KUALA LUMPUR : A lawyer for SRC International Sdn Bhd told the High Court today that former prime minister Najib Razak gave conflicting answers when confronted about the source of money that entered into his accounts more than 10 years ago. Lead counsel Lim Chee Wee said Najib had, in his testimony under oath, given various versions of the source of funds that entered his accounts when cross-examined. Submitting at the close of the SRC International trial, Lim said Najib had, in an affidavit affirmed in 2015, claimed that a 'personal donation' of US$700 million and another sum of RM42 million originating from SRC International had been channelled into his account by Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd and Ihsan Perdana Sdn Bhd without his knowledge. 'He first said the affidavit was 'very badly drafted', and then he said the admission was based on 'allegations at that time'. 'He later said that he was 'misled' and backtracked to say it was the information he received. And another version was that he was misled by media reporting,' Lim said after the defence had closed its case. SRC International is suing Najib and former CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil for wrongfully receiving company property, and dishonestly and wrongfully conspiring to convert company property for their own use. A judgment in default of appearance has been entered against Nik Faisal. The suit originally included former chairman Ismee Ismail, as well as former directors Suboh Yasin, Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, Azhar Osman Khairuddin and Che Abdullah @ Rashidi Che Omar, as co-defendants. SRC International later dropped the case against them. However, they were added as third parties by Najib. Lim also said Najib never informed his Cabinet about the RM42 million he allegedly received, and that he continued to helm decisions involving SRC International. 'It cannot be said that he was acting in the country's interest, or that his actions can be downplayed to mere recklessness,' he said. The hearing continues before Justice Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin on Tuesday, with Najib's lawyer, Shafee Abdullah, submitting in his defence, followed by lawyers appearing for the various third parties.