Works Ministry to raise T'ganu's Jln Aring 8 repairs at May 7 Cabinet meeting

The Star06-05-2025

KUALA BERANG: The Works Ministry will raise the issue of repair work on Jalan Aring 8-Kenyir-Kuala Jeneris in Hulu Terengganu, which collapsed during the recent monsoon season, at the post-Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (May 7).
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the move is aimed at enabling repair works on the route, which is frequently used to travel to Gua Musang in Kelantan and Cameron Highlands in Pahang, to restore connectivity for road users.
"This issue was raised by the local community, including during my meeting with them today. I will also hold discussions with the Terengganu Public Works Department (JKR) this afternoon," he said.
"I will raise the repair matter at the post-Cabinet meeting tomorrow," he told reporters after visiting the Malaysian Construction Academy (ABM) Eastern Region here Tuesday (May 6).
Previously, the stretch from KM187 to KM189 of Jalan Aring 8-Kenyir-Kuala Jeneris had been closed to all vehicles in November last year following landslides and soil deposits caused by heavy rain during the Northeast Monsoon.
When asked about the issues causing delays in the repair process of the federal road, Ahmad cited allocation issues as one of the main factors.
He added that the ministry had acknowledged the state government's request for RM36mil from the federal government to address the matter.
"Usually, such roads don't experience such significant collapses. The repair costs are quite high, so additional allocations from the Economy Ministry and the Finance Ministry are needed. However, this process will take time," he said.
Meanwhile, on another development, he proposed that entrepreneurship courses be incorporated into the curriculum for ABM trainees, either developed by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) or in collaboration with higher learning institutions, to boost the success of their careers.
"For instance, ABM Northern Region is located next to UUM (Universiti Utara Malaysia), so perhaps UUM can help develop an entrepreneurship course. In Terengganu, there are also universities that could collaborate to provide entrepreneurial input for the trainees," he said.
Thus far, ABM Eastern Region has trained a total of 43,764 trainees in construction programmes, while CIDB's subsidiary, CIDB Technologies (CIDB Tech), has recorded a total of 10,295 trainees in high-impact fields, as of December 2024.
For this year, ABM Eastern Region plans to enhance skills development programmes in critical trades such as gas pipe fitting and scaffolding, while CIDB Tech aims to expand high-quality training programmes in the oil and gas sector, backed by international certifications like ISO 9001, ISO 37001, and ISO 17024. — Bernama

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The Star

an hour ago

The Star

Industry concerns over expanded SST

PETALING JAYA: Consumers will eventually have to bear the brunt of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) set to start July 1, said Malay Contractors Association of Malaysia president Datuk Mohd Rosdi Ab Aziz. The SST, he added, will further put a dent in the thin profits of building contractors who are already struggling with higher operating costs, following the increase in prices and removal of subsidies of multiple items over the past two years. Mohd Rosdi pointed out that the new SST could also affect the smooth flow of projects and cause delays. He said the higher costs may even lead to contractors opting for cheaper alternatives when carrying out projects, resulting in compromised quality. Mohd Rosdi said the association had attended a discussion on the expanded SST with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) in April last year, where it expressed concerns over rising costs. 'We had asked the government to think about the move again and do more research on the issue. We are not opposed to the government's plan to impose taxes to strengthen its coffers. All we ask, is for it to be done gradually in phases over a year or two in a more orderly and sensible manner. 'As it is, we are already mired with additional costs from the removal of the diesel subsidy and the compulsory EPF contributions for foreign workers. To impose further taxes on the industry is not only unreasonable but also illogical. This will eat into the minimal profits we make,' he told The Star. Mohd Rosdi said the future removal of petrol subsidies and the hike in electricity tariffs will also affect contractors when they come into effect. 'Although the man on the street will be exempt from these taxes, additional costs from new taxes, rate hikes and subsidy removals will eventually be passed on to the consumer,' he said. Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) president Oliver H.C. Wee said with the construction industry currently subjected to multiple layers of taxation across various aspects of project execution, including building materials, labour and equipment, the new tax would seriously disrupt existing contractual obligations, budgets and project timelines. 'This creates undue burden on both contractors and clients and could lead to delays and cost overruns. We appeal that such tax shall only apply to those contracts executed after Jan 1, 2026, instead of next month. 'The SST will also significantly strain cash flows within the construction sector. Contractors already face substantial financial pressures. We are concerned about the cumulative financial impact and urge the government to avoid introducing further inflationary costs,' he said. Wee said that if the implementation of the 6% SST is inevitable, the association strongly urges the government to lower the rate from 6% to 4%. He said introducing the new tax in about three weeks denies sufficient lead time for the industry to respond, and a reasonable grace period should be granted to allow all stakeholders to make necessary adjustments and financial preparations. Malaysia's private education sector is also expected to face some challenges, when a 6% service tax is imposed on private preschool, primary and secondary education providers that charge more than RM60,000 per student in annual tuition fees. National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI) deputy president Dr Teh Choon Jin said that while the goal to broaden the government's fiscal base is understandable, a more balanced and phased approach to implementing the tax is essential. 'Private educational institutions are likely to intensify efforts to attract more local students, leading to heightened competition for a relatively limited domestic pool. 'Institutions that rely heavily on foreign student enrolment will face the challenge of diversifying their market base,' he said. Teh cautioned that price-sensitive international markets, particularly students from developing countries, could be disproportionately impacted by the additional costs. To address this, he suggested that institutions explore offshore delivery partnerships or targeted scholarships and financial aid. NAPEI has called on the government to consider a gradual rollout of its tax policy to allow private institutions to adjust their business models without destabilising their operations. The association also proposed targeted exemptions or rebates for students from developing countries or those enrolling in critical fields such as STEM, artificial intelligence and healthcare. 'Equally important is the creation of a policy dialogue platform that includes the Higher Education Ministry, Finance Ministry and key stakeholders such as NAPEI. 'This will help collaboratively monitor and address the tax implications on enrolment trends, institutional sustainability and Malaysia's long-term education agenda,' he added. Teh warned that a 6% cost increase could weaken Malaysia's competitive edge in the international education market. 'This could make Malaysia less attractive compared to regional players like Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam,' he said. He noted that operationally, the tax would also present compliance and administrative challenges for institutions. 'Many will need to review and adjust their fee structures, billing processes and financial forecasts. Smaller institutions, in particular, may struggle more with these adjustments compared to well-resourced education groups,' he said. As for high-end private and international schools, where many students come from expatriate or affluent local families, Teh said the 6% tax could either be passed on to parents or absorbed by the schools. 'Schools will need to be sensitive to the psychological and financial impact on parents, particularly those with multiple children enrolled. Some institutions may opt to absorb part of the tax, but this will add further strain on school finances,' Teh said.

Over 13,000 Wi-Fi access points installed at public universities nationwide

The Sun

12 hours ago

The Sun

Over 13,000 Wi-Fi access points installed at public universities nationwide

SINTOK: More than 13,000 Wi-Fi access points have been installed so far across several public university campuses nationwide as part of the government initiative to enhance internet connectivity at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA), according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the Phase Two of installations is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed within the next five to six weeks. 'Out of the total 32,000 Wi-Fi access points planned for all public universities, approximately 13,000 to 14,000 have already been installed so far. We expect the remaining installations under Phase Two to be completed within the next five to six weeks. 'After Phase Two concludes, we'll begin discussions with the universities to assess whether further improvements are needed based on feedback from the first two phases. Any enhancements will be included in Phase Three of the rollout.' Fahmi said this to reporters after delivering a keynote address at a forum titled 'Cyber, Voice and Borders: Unravelling the Dynamics of Media Freedom in the Digital Era' at Universiti Utara Malaysia, here. Fahmi said that Phase Three of the Wi-Fi project is expected to commence later this year, with the ministry working closely with universities to verify installation sites before calling for tenders. 'Insya-Allah, we will also ensure that UUM's Wi-Fi connectivity issues are prioritised in Phase Three, and I've received confirmation from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) that UUM is one of the key focus locations,' he said. Beyond public universities, Fahmi said the Communications Ministry is also expanding this initiative to polytechnics and community colleges. On the forum itself, the minister said it serves as an important platform to emphasise the need for balance between media freedom, freedom of expression, and societal responsibility. 'I hope that with programmes like this, we can enhance discussions, particularly at public universities. 'This way, students will be more exposed to real-world challenges faced by the media industry, especially amid rapid changes brought by artificial intelligence, social media, and other evolving dynamics impacting mainstream journalism,' he added. Also present at the forum was Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) president Datuk Yong Soo Heong.

Over 13,000 Wi-Fi points installed at Malaysian IPTA