Latest news with #AileenYap
Borneo Post
01-08-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Egg prices remain steady in Kuching despite end of blanket subsidies
Traders are maintaining their prices, with no significant changes observed today. – Photo by Aileen Yap KUCHING (Aug 1): Egg prices at several markets in Kuching have remained stable despite the implementation of the government's restructured egg subsidy, which takes effect today. A survey by The Borneo Post found that traders are maintaining their prices, with no significant changes observed following the shift from blanket subsidies to targeted assistance for poultry farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security recently announced the move as part of a phased, targeted approach aimed at ensuring a consistent egg supply and price stability for consumers nationwide. Between February 2022 and December 2024, the government allocated nearly RM2.5 billion in chicken egg subsidies to cushion the impact of Covid-19 and global supply chain disruptions on the public and the poultry industry. Although blanket subsidies have ended, the retail market remains unaffected for now. egg subsidy Kuching stable prices
Borneo Post
12-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Kuching fruit sellers brace for impact as SST revision looms
Liew stands in front of his fruit shop at Padungan. – Photo by Aileen Yap KUCHING (June 13): With Malaysia set to enforce the revised Sales and Services Tax (SST) on July 1, local fruit sellers are bracing for potential price impact. However, many remain cautiously optimistic that the changes will not significantly deter customer demand. Under the updated SST, an additional 5 to 10 per cent tax will be imposed on select imported goods, including certain fruits. While the government has assured that essential goods and services will be minimally affected, some uncertainty remains among local traders. Liew Sze Puing, owner of Sara Fruit Sdn Bhd at Jalan Padungan, said that while prices of imported fruits may rise, he does not expect a drastic change. 'I think it should be no problem. The price won't go up that much, looking at the current market,' he told The Borneo Post . The imported fruit section inside Liew's shop. – Photo by Aileen Yap Liew added that fruits are a daily necessity for many and believes demand will persist despite slight price hikes. 'In the end, it depends on the customer's capability. If they can afford it, they'll go for the more expensive ones. If not, they'll choose the cheaper options. That's just how it is,' he said. Echoing similar views, fellow fruit shop owner in the area, Sharon Tan, noted that much of the pricing uncertainty stems from the import side. 'It is said that the price also depends on the import side, so it is likely that there won't be an increase. 'However, the situation remains uncertain, as the parties on the import end are still unsure. We're having difficulty getting through, so we don't know when we will get confirmation,' she added. Imported Turkey green apples and South Africa Fuji apples displayed at Tan's shop. – Photo by Aileen Yap When asked whether the tax changes might affect customer traffic, Tan said they continue to sell based on the stock provided and do not foresee a major impact. 'Customers will still need to buy regardless.' Another fruit seller, Ho, who owns a fruit shop at Tabuan Jaya, offered a different perspective from Liew and Tan. He noted that fruit prices have always been inconsistent, and if the cost of imported fruits increases significantly due to the SST, he plans to reduce the amount of stock ordered from suppliers. 'I will control the number of the stock, as a way to control the loss of income,' he said. So far, Ho has only heard about price increases for strawberries, with no news yet on other fruits. However, with the implementation of SST, he believes it is only a matter of time before the prices of other imported fruits rise as well. He also pointed out that while local fruits are not affected, the rising prices of imported fruits could lead customers to buy less, potentially dampening their overall interest for fruits. Ho's fruit shop located at Tabuan Jaya. – Photo by Aileen Yap Ho further highlighted the broader challenges faced by small fruit retailers. 'If we compare it to five years ago, people used to buy fruits from small shops like ours. But now, with more and more shopping malls selling fruits below market value, we are forced to match those prices just to attract customers,' he said. To diversify his income, Ho now supplies fruits to hotels in addition to running his shop. 'This way, we're not solely relying on walk-in customers, who have declined significantly over the years,' he said, warning that if fruit prices continue to rise and competition in the market intensifies, small fruit sellers could eventually disappear. Meanwhile, the government has announced that there will be a grace period until Dec 31, 2025 for businesses to comply with the new SST structure. fruits Kuching lead revised SST
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
More than 1,800 people arrested in crack down on Asia-based scam operations
The skyline of the business district is silhouetted at sunset in Hong Kong Monday, July 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) HONG KONG — More than 1,800 people have been arrested in a joint operation across Asia targeting scam networks, police in Hong Kong said on Tuesday. The crack down involving authorities in six other jurisdictions successfully intercepted fraudulent funds involving about US$20 million, Wong Chun-yue, chief superintendent of the city's police's commercial crime bureau, said. The scam networks were closed down during the operation jointly conducted by South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and neighbouring Chinese gambling hub Macao, he said. The operation, which also involved authorities from Malaysia and the Maldives, targeted cases of online shopping and telephone scams, as well as investment and employment frauds. Nearly 33,000 accounts were frozen in the month to May 28, Wong said. Those arrested were aged between 14 and 81. In one case in March, a finance director in Singapore was scammed through deep-fake videos by someone who claimed to be the chief executive at a multinational corporation. The victim transferred $499,000 to Hong Kong, said Aileen Yap, assistant director of Singapore police's anti-scam command. Through cross-border cooperation, the money was recovered, she said. The victims of scams and online fraud often include not only those defrauded but also the workers used by scamming operations, with staff facing threats, violence and poor working conditions. A United Nations report in April found transnational organized crime groups in East and Southeast Asia are spreading their scam operations across the globe. For several years, scam compounds have proliferated in Southeast Asia, especially in border areas of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, as well as in the Philippines, shifting operations from site to site to stay a step ahead of the police, according to the report issued by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. The scam centers in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos are notorious for luring people to work in them under false pretenses. Staff are often forced to financially exploit people around the world through false romances, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes. Many workers find themselves trapped in virtual slavery. Kanis Leung, The Associated Press
Borneo Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
MBKS to act on illegal hawkers as MyKiosk uptake stalls
Photo shows one of the fruit stalls at the MyKiosk in Tabuan Jaya. — Photo by Aileen Yap KUCHING (May 30): Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has addressed concerns over the vacant MyKiosk units in Tabuan Jaya, stressing that enforcement action will soon be taken against illegal hawkers who refuse to relocate despite repeated offers from the council. His clarification comes in response to recent remarks by Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen, who noted that many of the kiosks have remained unoccupied for more than six months since their launch. The MyKiosk initiative, Wee pointed out, was meant to strengthen entrepreneurship, uplift the community's social economy, and provide a safer, more suitable trading environment. 'Priority was given to the B40 (low-income) group and, most importantly, to the relocation of unlicensed traders – those operating in unsuitable and unsafe locations,' he said when met during a site visit yesterday. 'All identified unlicensed hawkers in the Tabuan Jaya area had been invited for briefings and interviews. While some accepted the offer, the majority declined.' Wee added that the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) had done its part in engaging with the traders, and with most refusing to cooperate, enforcement is now the only remaining option. 'We are talking to them, trying to convince them, but it takes time to convince people. 'Now, there is no other choice – we will issue a final notice to all eligible applicants. 'If they fail to comply, we will enforce. If that's what is expected of us, enforcement action will be taken against those who reject the offer without valid reasons.' Wee noted that as of now, out of 40 illegal traders identified in the vicinity, only five had agreed to move into the kiosks. He added that the 28 available stalls would be filled on a first-come, first-served basis during the next application intake in July. Wee also addressed concerns over affordability, stating that kiosk rentals were capped at RM300 monthly, with MBKS charging only RM280 every six months – less than RM2 per day. 'To further encourage take-up, the council is offering six months of free rent.' In this regard, Wee urged eligible hawkers to come forward if they felt their current trading spots were unsafe or if they needed a permanent space to display their goods. However, he reminded them that all applicants must still undergo an interview process, as the kiosks were not being filled merely for the sake of occupancy. 'These facilities here are insufficient to support cooking and related activities because there is no water. So, those are the things we will neither encourage nor allow,' he added. Regarding kiosk applications, Wee explained that the MBKS followed a quarterly schedule. 'The next intake is in July. Is it wrong to tell you to apply then? Nothing wrong, right? 'Don't just keep saying 'when you open, then you open la'. And before we open, don't come and start shouting,' he joked. Wee stressed that the council welcomed suggestions, but urged that they be constructive and not politically motivated. illegal hawkers MBKS MyKiosk wee hong seng
Borneo Post
16-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
S'wak Premier urges Sarawak Energy to restructure for global energy role
Abang Johari speaks during the event. – Photo by Aileen Yap KUCHING (May 16): Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has called on Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) to review and restructure its organisational framework to align with Sarawak's expanding role in the global energy market. He requested a formal proposal from the SEB board by the end of this year. Speaking at the Sarawak Energy Vendor Excellence Awards (SEVEA) 2025 held at the Waterfront Hotel last night, Abang Johari emphasised the need for SEB's structure to evolve in support of Sarawak's growing energy ambitions, particularly in renewable energy production, cross-border power exports, and the state's emergence as a regional energy supplier. 'With our increasing role in the global energy sector, SEB must adapt. 'I urge the board to study and present a new structure that fits our long-term strategy by the end of this year,' he said. The Premier also highlighted Sarawak's strategic potential in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, adding that the state is well-positioned to support the transition to a low-carbon economy by leveraging its natural capital. 'Sarawak is blessed with the natural resources to lead in renewable energy. 'We are not only producing energy for ourselves, but for the region, and that requires a new mindset, new structures,' he said. Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; State Minister of Utility and Communication Datuk Julaihi Narawi; Deputy Minister of Utility and Communication (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros), who is also Sarawak Energy Chairman Datuk Ibrahim Baki; Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy DUN Sarawak Speaker and Board Member of Sarawak Energy Dato Idris Buang; Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; and Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili. abang johari expand role global energy market restructure SEB
