Keep RON95 subsidy in S'wak, DAP Youth says amid lack of transport options
Sarawak DAP Youth treasurer Wong King Yii pointed at the state's lack of public transport infrastructure, saying that owning a car is a necessity for those who live there.
'In places like the Klang Valley, the government has invested...
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The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
Household spending, services forecast to bolster economy
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's economic momentum is expected to hold firm into the second half of this year (2H25), buoyed by resilient domestic demand, targeted policy support, and a recovering tourism sector, even as external headwinds from global trade tensions continue to loom. Analysts said distributive trade and services activity should remain steady, underpinned by higher household spending capacity from recent monetary easing and fiscal measures. CIMB Research noted that quarterly growth in distributive trade volume was steady, with growth of 4.3% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the second quarter of this year (2Q25) compared with 4.3% in 1Q25, while overall services volume growth eased to 5% y-o-y versus 5.2% in 1Q25), weighed down by slower expansion in the finance and insurance, transport, and real estate subsectors. The research house estimates final 2Q25 gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 4.4%, just shy of the advance estimate of 4.5% and matching 1Q25's pace. 'We maintain our 4.3% GDP growth forecast for this year, supported by the reduced 19% US tariff on Malaysia and recent domestic policy measures,' the research house said, adding that downside risks persist from Washington's focus on semiconductor tariffs, which could weigh heavily on Malaysia's electrical and electronics (E&E) sector. The Statistics Department reported last week that the distributive trade index rose 4.3% y-o-y in June to 162.4 points, unchanged from May's pace. In value terms, sales accelerated to 4.8% y-o-y to RM153bil, underscoring sustained consumer spending despite a volatile global backdrop. Kenanga Research said that distributive trade growth averaged 4.9% in 1H25, with wholesale trade up 5.3% and retail trade climbing 5.9%. It expects momentum to gradually pick up in 2H25, aided by 'rising tourist arrivals, continued domestic demand, and higher government spending in line with seasonal trends'. The research house added that 'domestic risks appear limited' following the government's move to lower RON95 fuel prices to RM1.99 per litre for 18 million people alongside higher cash handouts, which it said will help ease cost-of-living pressures. While the research house has maintained a forecast of 4.3% GDP growth for the year, it cautioned that US President Donald Trump's latest threat of a 100% tariff on selected chip imports could add new uncertainty to global trade and exports prospects, particularly for Malaysia's E&E sector. Meanwhile, TA Research anticipates 2Q25 services GDP growth will come in slightly below the Statistics Department's advanced estimate of 5.3% y-o-y, likely at around 5% y-o-y, but said overall GDP should be in line with the earlier projection. The research house pointed to stronger-than-expected performances in mining and agriculture, alongside resilient household spending, as key supports. 'All in all, we expect both household spending and services activity to remain on a firm footing in 2H25, underpinned by resilient domestic demand, a robust labour market, lower fuel prices, higher cash transfers, subdued inflation, and the July overnight policy rate cut,' it said. Meanwhile, BIMB Research kept its distributive trade growth forecast for this year at 5.2%, with retail trade projected to climb 6.6% on the back of 'resilient consumer sentiment and the continued recovery in domestic demand'.
Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Focus Malaysia
Think justice beyond any selfish nationalistic contrivances
DISCRIMINATION based on one or another form of human identity or attributes, such as race, color, religion, and wealth, is a global phenomenon. At present, discrimination based on nationality, more particularly discrimination against the immigrant population, is on top of the agenda of political gimmicks in many countries. In fact, immigrants are more like 'aliens' in many countries. Nationalist agenda such as 'America First' or 'Japanese First' is becoming popular in the respective countries. One of the two disturbing and sinister human behaviours lies at the root of this agenda: 'I have more rights' or 'I am superior'. The growing crowd of the nationalist agenda fails to realise that there will be a time coming when they will fight among themselves to ascribe more rights or superiority to one over the other. This is obviously because the race to declare who is superior or who has more rights is endless! Alienating immigrants by the nationalist agenda follows the same sinister principle: citizens are superior and have more rights than immigrants. Indisputably, every citizen has some exclusive rights in their country which do not apply to an immigrant, such as voting, priority for employment, or even ownership of estate and immovable properties. However, certain policy-based discrimination against immigrant populations is no less than the 'institutionalisation' of racism. The Malaysian government has recently introduced a policy to offer subsidised RON95 petrol for its citizens. Such subsidised price is not for foreigners (including permanent residents) who are living in the country either for work or as a member of a Malaysian family. In addition, a foreign student (including permanent residents) will need to pay an extra 6% on top of the heightened 'international' tuition fees. Many immigrants have been living legally and working in Malaysia for decades by paying the due tax. However, these very immigrants are not entitled to enjoy any privileges or subsidies of any form that are based on the taxpayers' money. Immigrants are not fighting for rights to give vote, have priority in employment, or purchase any property. But they have the rights to talk about their life and livelihood. Their rights that they deserve for the contribution they make for the country must not be denied. One can make a policy or law to deprive them of their due rights, but it will neither be just nor ethical on the scale of humanity. Malaysia earned a reputation for discriminating against immigrants, including permanent residents, even to enter Masjids during the COVID-19 pandemic, as if they were the reasons for the spread of the virus. In a recent episode, immigrant workers were condemned to go to masjids during buka puasa during the month of fasting. Just to put it in perspective, was it very difficult for wealthy Malaysians to share their fortune during buka puasa with the blue-collar immigrant workers? The brute reality is that most of the so-called civilised countries are unable to run for even 24 hours without any immigrants working for them. It must be emphasised that by all means, the government must take every possible action to stop illegal immigrants from entering and living in their country, but they don't have to make a policy to deprive the legal ones of their civic and human rights. Any civilised nation, including Malaysia, may consider enumerating the contributions of immigrants in rolling out its economy. Immigrant lecturers or foreign students, at the least, are essential to achieve a higher position in the global university ranking. Can Malaysian universities run without them? Remember, Malaysian children are being educated by the immigrant lecturers. Then, why deprive the immigrant lecturers who educate future generations of citizens and the foreign students who not only pay higher tuition fees but also add points for university ranking have to be deprived from certain privileges for their life and livelihood while they are living in Malaysia? An immigrant is always irrelevant to those who play 'nationalist' political gimmicks. But the reality is, most of us are immigrants, either in our current generation or earlier ones. Perhaps, the policymakers, many of whom, if not all, are descendants of immigrants, might want to justify their actions imposed on the current immigrant populations who contribute to the economy of the country and pay taxes. It is not difficult to ensure justice while dealing with the immigrants, beyond any selfish nationalistic contrivances. So, measure justice on the scale of humanity. Or else, all the citizens who enjoy the tax paid by the immigrants have to pay it back to those immigrants. If not today or tomorrow, it will be on the Judgment Day. ‒ Aug 11, 2025 Prof Mohammad is the Deputy Executive Director (Development, Research & Innovation) at International Institute of Public Policy and Management (INPUMA), Universiti Malaya . The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image :
Malaysiakini
a day ago
- Malaysiakini
Think justice beyond any selfish contrivances
LETTER | Discrimination based on one or another form of human identity or attributes, such as race, colour, religion, and wealth, is a global phenomenon. At present, discrimination based on nationality, more particularly discrimination against the immigrant population, is on top of the agenda of political gimmicks in many countries. In fact, immigrants are more like 'aliens' in many countries. Nationalist agendas such as 'America First' or 'Japan First' are becoming popular in the respective countries. One of the two disturbing and sinister human behaviours lies at the root of this agenda: 'I have more rights' or 'I am superior.' The growing crowd of the nationalist agenda fails to realise that there will be a time coming when they will fight among themselves to ascribe more rights or superiority to one over the other. Because the race to declare who is superior or who has more rights is endless! Alienating immigrants by the nationalist agenda follows the same sinister principle: citizens are superior and have more rights than immigrants. Indisputably, every citizen has some exclusive rights in their country which do not apply to an immigrant, such as voting, priority for employment, or even ownership of estate and immovable properties. However, certain policy-based discrimination against immigrant populations is no less than the 'institutionalisation' of racism. Right to life and livelihood The government recently introduced a policy to offer subsidised RON95 petrol for its citizens. Such a subsidised price is not for foreigners (including permanent residents) who are living in the country either for work or as a member of a Malaysian family. In addition, a foreign student (including permanent residents) will need to pay an extra six percent on top of the heightened 'international' tuition fees. Many immigrants have been living legally and working in Malaysia for decades by paying the due tax. However, these very immigrants are not entitled to enjoy any privileges or subsidies of any form that are based on the taxpayers' money. Immigrants are not fighting for the right to vote, have priority in employment, or purchase any property. But they have the right to talk about their life and livelihood. The rights that they deserve for their contributions to the country must not be denied. One can make a policy or law to deprive them of their due rights, but it will neither be just nor ethical on the scale of humanity. Covid discrimination Malaysia earned a reputation for discriminating against immigrants, including permanent residents, even to enter mosques during the Covid-19 pandemic, as if they were the reasons for the spread of the virus. In a recent episode, immigrant workers were condemned to go to mosques during the breaking of fast in the month of Ramadan. To put it in perspective, was it very difficult for wealthy Malaysians to share their fortune during buka puasa with the blue-collar immigrant workers? The brute reality is that most of the so-called civilised countries are unable to run for even 24 hours without any immigrants working for them. It must be emphasised that by all means, the government must take every possible action to stop illegal immigrants from entering and living in their country, but they don't have to make a policy to deprive the legal ones of their civic and human rights. Contributions to economy Any civilised nation, including Malaysia, may consider enumerating the contributions of immigrants to its economy. Migrant lecturers or foreign students, at least, are essential to achieve a higher position in the global university ranking. Can Malaysian universities run without them? Remember, Malaysian children are being educated by migrant lecturers. Then, why deprive the migrant lecturers who educate future generations of citizens and the foreign students who not only pay higher tuition fees but also add points for university ranking have to be deprived of certain privileges for their life and livelihood while they are living in Malaysia? An immigrant is always irrelevant to those who play 'nationalist' political gimmicks. But the reality is, most of us are immigrants, either in our current generation or earlier ones. Perhaps, the policymakers, many of whom, if not all, are descendants of immigrants, might want to justify their actions imposed on the current immigrant populations who contribute to the economy of the country and pay taxes. It is not difficult to ensure justice while dealing with the immigrants, beyond any selfish nationalistic contrivances. So, measure justice on the scale of humanity. Or else, all the citizens who enjoy the tax paid by the immigrants have to pay it back to those immigrants. If not today or tomorrow, it will be on Judgment Day. In the end, allow me to bring a translation of a couple of verses from the Holy Quran, which speak for the cause I dared to write: 'O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate from justice. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then know that Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do.' (Surah An-Nisa, 4: 135) 'O believers! Stand firm for Allah and bear true testimony. Do not let the hatred of a people lead you to injustice. Be just! That is closer to righteousness. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what you do. (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5: 8) The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
