
e-Invoice rollout crucial for digital economy push, says Batu Kitang rep
Lo (fourth right) joins committee members and other guests for a group photo.
KUCHING (May 19): The phased implementation of Malaysia's e-Invoice system represents a vital step in the nation's digital transformation, moving beyond trend to necessity, said Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang.
Speaking at the 2nd e-Invoice Seminar hosted by the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Batu Kitang Youth section at SUPP headquarters yesterday, Lo highlighted the importance of inclusive collaboration between government, the private sector, and the wider community in facilitating the transition.
'For many small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), hawkers, and micro-businesses, technology can appear daunting, but I believe after today's seminar, much of that fear will subside and their understanding of e-Invoicing will grow significantly,' he said.
The seminar attracted over 500 participants and was designed to equip attendees with the practical knowledge, tools, and guidance needed to navigate the full implementation of the e-Invoice confidently.
'Today's seminar is more than just a talk. It's a bridge connecting government policy with the real-world needs of businesses, helping them to adopt and use digital tools like e-Invoices effectively,' he said.
He also commended the SUPP Batu Kitang Youth for their dedication and proactive approach in organising the event.
'Their efforts not only simplified a complex subject but also introduced what was once an intimidating policy to grassroots businesses and the general public in an accessible and engaging manner.
'Whether you are a large corporation or a roadside vendor, we are here to support you,' said Lo.
'The insights shared today will not only help you remain compliant and avoid penalties but also ensure your operations run smoothly in the digital era.' digital transformation e-invoice lead Lo Khere Chiang

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


Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
Sabah GLCs mostly ‘blackholes'
Published on: Saturday, June 07, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 07, 2025 By: David Thien Text Size: From left – Adi, Roger Chin, Lo and Haffisz. Kota Kinabalu: A majority of the 250-odd Sabah GLCs (Government-linked companies) are like 'blackholes' sucking away financial resources from Sabah. But there are a few bright stars. 'These statutory bodies and GLCs produced only RM143m dividends to the Sabah Government, of which RM50m was from SMJ Energy. Only a small number can generate dividends for the government. The performance of the rest is pathetic,' said Datuk John Lo, a former banker and now in the Sabah Economic Action Council (SEAC). Advertisement The other profitable GLCs include Sabah Foundation's subsidiary Innoprise, Sabah Energy Corporation, Sogip, Sogdc, POIC Lahad Datu, Suria Capital, Sabah Credit Corporation and Sawit Kinabalu. Lo was a guest panel speaker at the NGO Sabar – Kopi Tiam Council podcast on 'Oversight & Reform of government-Linked Companies (GLCs) Transparency, accountability & Corruption Prevention session, recently. 'Most are either non-performing or underperforming,' Lo said and pointed out that GLCs hold many monopolistic rights for example, cement [Sabah Cement Industries], ports [Suria, POIC Sandakan and POIC Lahad Datu], water [Jetama] and fishing landing rights [Safma]. They have been granted very cheap but extremely prime land, most of them at RM1,000 premium. [Innoprise, SUDC, subsidiary of Sedco, Suria, SICC, Sabah Energy, TAED.]. Advertisement Others have been vast acreage of valuable agricultural land for free or at nominal premium. [Sawit Kinabalu, KPD, Sabah Softwood.] Then there are those who have been granted cheap and valuable land for industrial park [KKIP, Sogip, POIC Sandakan and POIC Lahad Datu, Asian Supply Base in Labuan] or granted concession rights in oil and gas, river and sea sand [Sabah Energy, Sabah Gas, SMJ Energy, Sedco]. GLCs are also into hotels, resorts and jungle resorts [Innoprise, Sedco and Sabah Air] or granted exclusive JV preference with Sabahan and non-Sabahan companies. 'Most significantly, many GLCs have become a huge liability and drag on Sabah's economic growth. Allowing GLCs to continue without proper governance will result in serious economic consequences. Sabah can never catch up,' he said. In most cases the political appointments of chairmen, board of directors and senior management have been inappropriate. 'GLCs are still bleeding losses year in year out. Sabahans are subsiding these losses that have easily run into billions the last 35 years. The accumulated losses are staggering,' he said. What is worse is that some of these GLCs have sold or entered into JVs in many valuable assets like prime commercial and agriculture land, buildings, monopolies and concessions, most of which are lopsided against Sabah. These GLCs have taken huge loans from the government and banks [especially SDB] that they cannot service or repay, often forcing Sabah taxpayers to bail them out. 'They enter into many lopsided JV agreements against the interests of Sabah. They have the greatest number of failed JV projects that need rescue by 'white knights'. 'These billions of dividends can be tax free and can transform Sabah's economic ownership back to Sabahans. The greatest impact is job creation. If each GLC, on average, can create an additional 100 jobs, there will be additional 25,000 jobs!' said Lo. 'This money could have been used for the hard-core poor, repair or investment in infrastructures, health, scholarships or to build two or three universities. 'The GLCs have many JV projects that are suspended or non-start for years.' 'SDB's revamp is showing encouraging results. Keep an eye on Sabah Energy as it will be the new performing star.' Lo was pleased that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has appointed suitable Sabahans to head some boards and management e.g. SDB, SMJ Energy, Sabah Energy, Sogip, Sogdc and the latest, a new Group GM for Sedco. Hajiji has appointed advisors on the economy, oil and gas, energy, tourism and international affairs. Notably, he said state Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun has appointed a task force on GLCs. Masidi has also appointed an oversight committee for GLCs. 'Hopefully, the revamp of GLCs will lead some of them to be listed on Bursa. Bursa will impose demanding and stringent governance requirements on these GLCs. 'GLCs that have independent board of directors and professional management appointed by Hajiji and Masidi are turning around with noticeable improvements. 'It is imperative that future Sabah governments continue to revamp, rationalise the GLCs. 'Focusing on and sorting out the mess in Sabah's GLCs is a critical economic issue for every Sabahan, especially for the present young generation and their children. These GLCs are eroding away their future. 'I hope all Sabahans, every man, every woman, every voter, after listening to Sabar's podcast, will support the reformation, transformation and rationalization of Sabah's GLCs. 'It is in every Sabahan's interest to see to it that all GLCs succeed,' Lo stressed. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Borneo Post
SBEU calls out committee overseeing MTUC for 'overstepping mandate' on congress exclusion from ILC
Andrew Lo KUCHING (June 4): The Sarawak Bank Employees Union (SBEU) has criticised the Joint Special Committee (JBK) overseeing the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) for allegedly overstepping its mandate by protesting the government's decision to exclude MTUC from the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland. SBEU chief executive officer Andrew Lo said the union had been made aware that the JBK had misused its platform to issue a protest statement. 'We are very concerned at such a statement as this is not within the mandate of the Joint Special Committee to nominate any officials to be a delegate. 'In absence of such a nomination, the government is unable to grant credentials from MTUC,' he said in a statement. Lo, who is also Labour Law Reform Coalition (LLRC) deputy president, pointed out that the JBK was only empowered to conduct a Special Delegate Conference to elect new MTUC office bearers, and to administer MTUC affairs temporarily. 'On 21 Feb 2025, pursuant to a High Court Order (with the consent of the disputing parties), a Joint Special Committee shall be formed for the Malaysian Trades Union Congress with very specific role to conduct a Special Delegate Conference to elect new office bearers. 'Such Special Delegate Conference shall be carried out within 90 days from February 21, 2025, to i.e. May 22, 2025. 'It is unfortunate that the Joint Special Committee was unable to conduct the Special Delegate Conference within the stipulated time. As a result, as to date, there is no new officer bearers to carry out the functions of MTUC.' He stressed that by the consent order, the JBK's only role was to hold the Special Delegate Conference and to perform administration of MTUC until May 22 this year. 'It does not give the Joint Special Committee the mandate to nominate anyone to be a delegate of, or to represent MTUC, at any conference or organisation. 'Such actions may be seen as contempt of Court and MTUC may be sanctioned by the court,' he said. Lo stressed that it is imperative that MTUC gets its internal issues in order. 'This is so that we can play our proper role to represent the interest of workers in Malaysia. 'These should be the priority instead of harping about attending a foreign conference,' he said. On June 3, MTUC JBK chairman J Solomon in a statement had expressed shock over the failure of the Ministry of Human Resources to include MTUC, which is the official workers' representative in the official Malaysian delegation, in the ILC for the first time ever. 'The ministry has registered 40 government officials and eight employer representatives, but not a single representative from MTUC. 'This is a clear violation of the ILO Constitution, which requires full tripartite representation,' he said. He described the exclusion as an 'extreme embarrassment to Malaysia and the ministry officials especially when it is currently the chairman of the Asean.' 'It is an action that equates to backward countries like of Myanmar,' he said. He said MTUC has since filed a formal complaint with the ILO Credentials Committee over this serious breach.


The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
‘More youths showing interest in agriculture'
Many are unaware of the grants to assist youths in starting up their own business in farming, livestock farming, fisheries or agro-based industries. — Filepic IF you are between 18 and 45 years old and want to venture into farming, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is offering a start-up grant worth up to RM30,000. Johor Fruit Farmers Association chairman Alvins Lo said many people were unaware of the 'Geran Agropreneur Muda' (GAM) to assist youths in starting up their own business in farming, livestock farming, fisheries or agro-based industries. 'Interest among youths towards the agricultural sector has increased in recent years. 'We have been receiving many inquiries from youths looking for entrepreneurship opportunities and subsidies in the agriculture sector, which is a good sign,' he said in an interview. As such, the association organised an agricultural talk in Yong Peng attended by about 40 youths. Lo said the association invited Batu Pahat Agriculture Department's urban farming unit assistant officer Muhamad Izad Zolzali who spoke about incentives and subsidy programmes available for the participants to apply. Lo (left) presenting a token to Muhamad Izad who shared about the incentives for young farmers. 'He promoted the GAM initiative, which was met with enthusiasm from the attendees as the grant addresses the needs of young farmers by providing them non-cash assistance. 'The speaker gave a detailed explanation about the eligibility of the grant and common reasons for rejection,' said Lo. He added that Muhamad Izad also gave tips and recommendations for their application such as financial planning and harvest estimates. Lo said there was an opportunity for GAM recipients to further apply for another initiative called GAM Scale-up, to help them with upstream activities. 'The scale-up grant, worth up to RM50,000 per individual, would be disbursed in the form of agrotechnology, mechanisation and automation equipment. 'In the question-and-answer portion of the event, Muhamad Izad addressed the participants' concerns and advised them to register their business as an enterprise to ease subsidy applications as well as enjoy future benefits,' he added. Apart from disseminating information about the incentives, the talk was also a way of bridging the gap between the government agency and young farmers. Lo said the association would continue working closely with the ministry to organise more talks to promote initiatives such as the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices and Maximum Residue Limits for pesticide use. 'It is through good agricultural practices and management that we can ensure our farmed products reach consumers in a safe and edible condition to improve market standards. 'I also took the opportunity to encourage the young farmers to join the association as a platform to communicate and build strength to contribute to agricultural development,' he said.