Ad hoc holidays cripple small businesses, says DUBS Miri
MIRI (July 26): The Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) Miri has voiced concern over the declaration of sudden or unplanned public holidays, saying such practices should not become the norm.
Its chairman Mohammad Hafidz Rohani, in a statement yesterday, said unannounced holidays such as the additional public holiday on Sept 15 declared by the Federal government could place undue pressure on the business sector, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
'Malaysia already has a relatively high number of public holidays compared to other countries in the region.
'Ad hoc holidays complicate operational planning, disrupt productivity, and increase costs, such as overtime pay and disruptions to production and service schedules,' he said.
Mohammad Hafidz added that for many micro and small businesses, such disruptions could directly affect cash flow and the ability to maintain day-to-day operations.
According to him, the Employment Act 1955 already provides clear provisions for managing public holidays, including the option to substitute days off as permitted by law.
'Any announcement of additional holidays without formal confirmation through the Government Gazette under the Holidays Act 1951 has the potential to cause confusion among employers and result in unintended legal implications,' he said.
While acknowledging that additional holidays might temporarily benefit the tourism sector, he cautioned that their overall economic impact on small traders and entrepreneurs was often 'limited and unsustainable'.
'We (DUBS Miri) fully support the patriotic spirit of Malaysia Day celebrations.
'However, we also urge that love for the nation be demonstrated through initiatives that empower the entrepreneurial sector, recognise the challenges faced by micro and small enterprises, and foster a business environment that is both conducive and sustainable,' he said in the statement.
He stressed that local entrepreneurs not only contributed to economic growth and job creation, but also embodied the spirit of independence, dedication, and the determination to build a better future for the country.
'Patriotism should not just be celebrated – it must be protected, understood and given space to grow in tandem with the nation's economy.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
39 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Over 5.03mil hectares of Malaysian oil palm certified under MSPO scheme
MELAKA: A total of 5.03 million hectares or 89.6 per cent of the oil palm plantation area in Malaysia has been certified under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme as of June 30 this year, said Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Chan Fong Hin. He said the achievement reflects the continued commitment of Malaysia's palm oil industry to adopting sustainable plantation practices that align with internationally recognised standards. "The MSPO certification initiative also enforces strict standards to ensure that oil palm plantation companies and smallholders are not involved in any form of forced labour. To this end, the MSPO requires certified entities to comply with the Employment Act 1955, which stipulates that workers cannot be compelled to perform work without their consent," he said when opening the 'Know Your Rights, Do It Right' Programme Series 1/2025. The programme was also attended by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Plantations and Commodities (KPK), Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof, here today. Chan said the programme was implemented by the ministry to provide the agri-commodity industry with clear and accurate information on labour issues in the plantation sector, particularly those involving foreign workers. He noted that currently, more than 75 per cent of the approximately 280,000 workers in the oil palm plantation sector are foreign workers, with the majority coming from Indonesia, followed by Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. "The government recognises that the continued heavy reliance on foreign labour can give rise to various issues and risks, including exploitation and forced labour, especially due to a lack of transparency in recruitment processes. "This can also lead to trade restrictions imposed by countries such as the United States if there is evidence of forced labour practices within the supply chain. "Therefore, the ministry has taken the initiative to organise programmes like this, to ensure that labour-related challenges no longer hinder the development and progress of the plantation sector," he said.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Over 5.03mil hectares of oil palm plantation in Malaysia under MSPO certification scheme
MELAKA: A total of 5.03 million hectares or 89.6 per cent of the oil palm plantation area in Malaysia has been certified under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme as of June 30 this year, said Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Chan Fong Hin. He said the achievement reflects the continued commitment of Malaysia's palm oil industry to adopting sustainable plantation practices that align with internationally recognised standards. "The MSPO certification initiative also enforces strict standards to ensure that oil palm plantation companies and smallholders are not involved in any form of forced labour. To this end, the MSPO requires certified entities to comply with the Employment Act 1955, which stipulates that workers cannot be compelled to perform work without their consent," he said when opening the 'Know Your Rights, Do It Right' Programme Series 1/2025. The programme was also attended by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Plantations and Commodities (KPK), Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof, here today. Chan said the programme was implemented by the ministry to provide the agri-commodity industry with clear and accurate information on labour issues in the plantation sector, particularly those involving foreign workers. He noted that currently, more than 75 per cent of the approximately 280,000 workers in the oil palm plantation sector are foreign workers, with the majority coming from Indonesia, followed by Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. "The government recognises that the continued heavy reliance on foreign labour can give rise to various issues and risks, including exploitation and forced labour, especially due to a lack of transparency in recruitment processes. "This can also lead to trade restrictions imposed by countries such as the United States if there is evidence of forced labour practices within the supply chain. "Therefore, the ministry has taken the initiative to organise programmes like this, to ensure that labour-related challenges no longer hinder the development and progress of the plantation sector," he said.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia achieves 89.6% MSPO certification for oil palm plantations
MELAKA: A total of 5.03 million hectares, or 89.6 per cent of Malaysia's oil palm plantation area, has been certified under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) scheme as of June 30 this year. Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Chan Fong Hin highlighted this milestone, emphasising the industry's commitment to sustainable practices aligned with global standards. 'The MSPO certification initiative also enforces strict standards to ensure that oil palm plantation companies and smallholders are not involved in any form of forced labour,' Chan said during the opening of the 'Know Your Rights, Do It Right' Programme Series 1/2025. He stressed that certified entities must comply with the Employment Act 1955, which prohibits forced labour. The programme, attended by KPK Secretary-General Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof, aims to address labour issues in the plantation sector, particularly concerning foreign workers. Chan noted that over 75 per cent of the 280,000 workers in oil palm plantations are foreigners, primarily from Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. 'The government recognises that heavy reliance on foreign labour can lead to exploitation and forced labour risks, especially due to opaque recruitment processes,' he said. Such issues could trigger trade restrictions from countries like the U.S. if forced labour is detected in supply chains. To mitigate these risks, the ministry is actively organising awareness programmes to ensure labour challenges do not hinder sector growth. - Bernama
