Latest news with #BN-Pekan
The Star
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Nanta: Toll charges could've risen 83% without govt intervention
KUALA LUMPUR: Private vehicle users could have seen toll charges rise by as much as 83% at 10 highways nationwide this year if not for the government's decision to postpone the hike, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic). He said the rates would have ranged between 50sen and RM4.56 for private cars or Class 1 vehicles, amounting to about RM136 monthly or RM1,632 annually. The projections were based on a private car user travelling on 10 tolled highways for 20 days a month, or 240 days annually. 'If there was no postponement, road users would have felt a significant impact. We hope that it can at least ease the cost of living burden, especially for those who use the highways daily,' he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. The 10 highways are the Cheras-Kajang Expressway (Grandsaga), Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor Expressway (Latar), New North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKSB), Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE), East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge (JSAHMS), Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), Maju Expressway (MEX) and the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (LLB). Nanta said the toll hike postponement would involve all vehicles – from Class 1 to Class 5 except for the LLB. The toll hike postponement for the LLB only applies to Class 5 vehicles, as Classes 1 to 4 have already reached the maximum toll hike rates allowed under the concession agreement. Class 1 vehicles generally refer to private cars, Class 2 for vans and light goods vehicles, Class 3 for heavy vehicles with three or more axles, Class 4 for taxis, and Class 5 for buses. He added that the government will also have to pay a compensation of RM568.92mil annually to the concessionaires owing to the postponement. Nanta was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan), who asked about the implications of the government postponing toll rate hikes for this year. On July 23, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the postponement of toll hikes for 10 highways that were scheduled to take effect this year. On another matter, Nanta said abolishing tolls is not easy, adding that it will require the government to cough up billions for highway maintenance. He said the funds could instead be used for other priorities. 'Instead, the government funds can be used in states like Kelantan, Terengganu or Sabah and Sarawak, which do not have tolled roads,' he told Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut), who asked if the government planned to abolish tolls. The minister said there was a possibility that toll rates could be reduced once highway concessionaires achieve their return on investment. 'Then, we can possibly see toll rates be reduced,' he said.
The Star
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Private car users would have faced steep toll hike without postponement, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Private car users would have faced a toll increase of 79% to 83% at 10 highways nationwide if the hike had not been postponed, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. The Works Minister said the rates would range between RM0.50 and RM4.56 for private cars or Class 1 vehicles, amounting to about RM136 monthly or RM1,632 annually. He said the projections were based on a private car user travelling on the tolled roads concerned for 20 days a month or 240 days annually. 'If there had been no postponement, road users would have felt a significant impact. "We hope that the postponement can at least ease the cost of living burden, especially for those who use tolled roads daily,' he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 29). ALSO READ: Putrajaya postpones toll hikes for 10 highways, says PM Anwar The 10 highways are the Cheras-Kajang Expressway (Grandsaga), Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor Expressway (Latar), New North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKSB), Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE), East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge (JSAHMS), Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), Maju Expressway (MEX) and the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (LLB). Nanta said the toll hike postponement will involve all vehicles ranging from Class 1 to Class 5, except on the LLB. He said the toll hike postponement for the LLB only applies to Class 5 vehicles, as Classes 1 to 4 have already reached the maximum toll increase rates allowed under the concession agreement. In Malaysia, Class 1 generally refers to private cars, Class 2 to vans and light goods vehicles, Class 3 to heavy vehicles with three or more axles, Class 4 to taxis, and Class 5 to buses. 'Some 941,000 motorists are set to benefit from the postponed toll rate hike,' he said. He added that the government will also have to pay an estimated compensation of RM568.92mil annually because of the postponement. 'However, the actual compensation to be paid by the government depends on the actual traffic volume, with verification by operational audits by both the government and concessionaires,' he said. Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan) had asked about the implications of the government postponing toll rate hikes for this year. On July 23, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the postponement of toll hikes for 10 highways that were scheduled to take effect this year.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
218 M'sians arrested in Taiwan for acting as fraud syndicate mules
KUALA LUMPUR: There have been 218 Malaysians detained for suspected involvement in fraud syndicates as "money mules" in Taiwan, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic). He said that according to the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre (MFTC) in Taipei, as of July 9, a total of 165 are awaiting trial, while 53 others have been jailed for between six months and a year. 'This group typically receives enticing job offers or 'work and travel' packages in Taiwan through social media, including promised salaries of up to RM10,000 per month. 'However, upon arrival in Taiwan, their passports and mobile phones are confiscated,' he said in a parliamentary written reply to Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan). Sh Mohmed Puzi asked the ministry to provide updates on reports of Malaysians detained in Taiwan for links to financial scam syndicates. Mohamad said the mules were tasked with collecting money from fraud victims at specific locations, or withdrawing money from ATMs using cards provided by the syndicate. "They would then hand over the money to the syndicate. 'This activity constitutes a fraud offence under Taiwanese laws, which can result in imprisonment and fines,' he added. He also said his ministry has launched an awareness campaign in collaboration with the Communications Ministry and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad. 'Through MFTC, the ministry also holds discussions with Taiwanese authorities to address this issue. 'This initiative covers not only financial fraud but also acting as drug mules, gold smuggling and job scams. "It aims to proactively reduce the involvement of Malaysian citizens in criminal activities abroad,' he said, reminding Malaysians to remain vigilant when overseas.
The Star
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Egg subsidy cuts save govt RM135mil
THE government has saved RM135mil over the past three months following the gradual reduction of chicken egg subsidies, with no major disruptions to supply or price hikes ahead of the full removal of subsidies on Aug 1. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu gave an assurance that the move to end subsidies had not negatively impacted the market, noting that egg production remains robust at around 1.75 billion eggs per month. This is well above the domestic demand of 1.06 billion eggs. The surplus of 690 million eggs is expected to partly support exports. 'Egg supply is stable and prices are reasonable. The removal of subsidies will not affect stability because the industry has responded well. We're also seeing a drop in chicken feed costs, which helps,' he told Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan), who had voiced concerns about the impact of subsidy removal on B40 households. Mohamad also noted that lower-grade eggs remain affordable despite the subsidy changes. 'Grade C and D eggs are widely available. In some areas, a tray of 30 can be bought for less than RM10. This ensures that B40 families are not burdened by rising prices. 'There are even areas where sellers have had to offer eggs at lower prices due to abundant supply, especially for grades C and D,' he said. 'Grades A and B are slightly more expensive, but C and D are in the market, and that's what many consumers are opting for,' he added. Based on the government's previous announcement, the subsidy was reduced from 10sen to 5sen per chicken egg from May 1. It will be removed entirely on Aug 1. To prevent profiteering and ensure continued affordability, both the Agriculture Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry are monitoring prices and supply nationwide. 'We're working with all parties – breeders, wholesalers and others. So far, the situation is stable and well-managed,' said Mohamad.
New Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt saves RM135mil in three months from egg subsidy cut
KUALA LUMPUR: The reduction of the egg subsidy from 10 sen to 5 sen has allowed the government to save RM135 million over the three months since May 1, ahead of its full discontinuation on August 1, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. He said the reduction and eventual removal of the egg subsidy is not expected to affect the stability of the egg supply, as the industry is currently showing positive trends, including a drop in poultry feed costs. "The retargeting of subsidies and removal of price controls on eggs will enable the government to reduce expenditure and reallocate subsidy funds to initiatives and programmes that provide direct benefits to the people," he said in reply to Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan). Sh Mohmed Puzi was asked about the retargeting of the egg subsidy from 10 sen to 5 sen per egg, the savings through the reduction in subsidy expenditure, the impact on the egg market, and the effect on the overall cost of living. Mohamad said at present, the supply of chicken eggs remains stable and is being sold at reasonable prices. He said this month, the estimated monthly egg production is 1.75 billion eggs, while domestic consumption needs are estimated at 1.06 billion eggs. "This indicates a surplus of approximately 0.69 billion eggs, part of which will be allocated for export markets." He said the annual inflation rate for chicken eggs recorded a decline of 5.3 per cent in May. "However, this decrease has not occurred uniformly across all egg grades, likely due to a market price adjustment phase following the implementation of targeted subsidies." He said to ensure egg supply and prices remain stable, the ministry, together with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, will continue close monitoring of the egg market to prevent supply disruptions and profiteering that could burden consumers. "Both ministries are also carrying out continuous enforcement and monitoring measures to maintain price stability and prevent any leakages that may undermine consumer interests."
