Latest news with #CrystalEHermenegildus
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Water filter refund claim thrown out
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: The Tribunal accepted the respondent's position and noted that the Claimant had fully utilised the product since 2016, and had received all the agreed maintenance services up to this point. Kota Kinabalu: The Consumer Claims Tribunal has dismissed a claim by a man seeking continued maintenance or a full refund for a water filter that has since been discontinued by the manufacturer. Tribunal President Salmi Zalinah Abdul Rahim ruled that the manufacturer, Coway Malaysia Sdn Bhd, was not contractually obligated to continue servicing the product beyond the stated service period, especially after production and spare parts had ceased. The Claimant had purchased a Coway Villaem water filter on December 23, 2016, under a five-year instalment plan with monthly payments of RM125. After completing his payment contract, he continued subscribing to annual maintenance services, paying RM693 per year until the agreed maintenance period expiry on March 31, 2025. However, the claimant was informed by Coway that the periodic maintenance service for his unit would no longer be available after that date, as the Villaem model and its replacement parts were no longer in production. Dissatisfied, he filed a claim demanding either: the respondent continue the maintenance service for his existing unit, or the Respondent Coway refund him the full price of the water filter and accept its return so that he could purchase a new one. In response, Coway informed the Tribunal that the Villaem model had been discontinued since September 6, 2019, and spare parts would only be supplied while stocks lasted. It explained that the model had been replaced with the Villaem II in March 2019, and more recently by the Villaem III in December 2024. The respondent also referred to the terms and conditions of its Service Application Membership Form, which states that while it will make 'best effort' attempts to continue maintenance services after discontinuing a product, it is under no obligation to do so beyond a reasonable period, and customers are not entitled to damages or compensation if services cannot be sustained. The Tribunal accepted the respondent's position and noted that the Claimant had fully utilised the product since 2016, and had received all the agreed maintenance services up to this point. In her ruling, Salmi said it would not be reasonable for the Claimant to expect a full refund for a product that had been used extensively over a number of years. * 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
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Bridal shop ordered to refund RM2,850 to customer
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: The Consumer Claims Tribunal has ordered a bridal shop to refund RM2,850 to a customer after ruling that the service provider failed to perform any part of its contractual obligations. Tribunal President Salmi Zalinah Abdul Rahim issued the decision following a hearing involving the claimant, Nicole Ooi Wei Shan, and the respondent, Delove Bridal Selection East Malaysia. According to the case facts, on December 31, 2023, the claimant entered into a contract with the respondent for a pre-wedding photography package and paid a deposit of RM3,000. The package was stated to be valid for three years. However, on May 5, 2025, the claimant informed the respondent via WhatsApp that due to personal issues, she and her partner would no longer be proceeding with the wedding photos and requested a refund of the deposit. The same message was also sent in English the following day. Despite the request, the respondent insisted that the deposit was non-refundable, even though none of the agreed services had been provided. The claimant proceeded to file a claim for the full refund amount of RM3,000. In response, the respondent argued that the deposit was part of a binding agreement and that the cancellation was made for personal reasons, not due to any fault on their part. The respondent also filed a counterclaim for RM10,000, citing inconvenience, disruption, and administrative burden caused by the claim. During the hearing, the respondent's staff member, Ivylyana Edin, confirmed that no wedding photographs were taken but said reminders were sent to the claimant via WhatsApp. Salmi, in her ruling, cited Section 17(5) and (6) of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, which allows consumers to cancel a future services contract at the point the cancellation is communicated to the supplier — in this case, via WhatsApp. Under Section 17(2) of the same Act, the Tribunal found the claimant was entitled to a refund after deducting 5 per cent of the full contract price, amounting to RM2,850. The Tribunal rejected the respondent's RM10,000 counterclaim and ordered that the awarded sum be paid to the claimant within 14 days. * 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
Daily Express
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Not lacking opportunities but lacking needed skills
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Vun receiving a souvenir after the panel discussion. Kota Kinabalu: Despite holding formal qualifications, many graduates in Sabah are failing to secure jobs not due to a lack of opportunities, but because they lack the very skills employers need. Council member of the Federation of Sabah Industries (FSI), Ir Jess Vun, said 60 per cent of Malaysian employers report a mismatch between job seekers' skills and the demands of the workforce, particularly among graduates from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes. Advertisement She said while technical skills are one concern, soft skills – like communication, teamwork and humility – are proving equally scarce. 'Some graduates think they deserve RM8,000 a month but refuse to do basic tasks like photocopying. They say, 'That's not my job.' They lack humility and real-world readiness.' She said this during a sub-theme panel discussion session during the Sabah TVET Symposium 2025 themed Sustainable TVET for Sabah's Future Human Capital: Integrated TVET System, here, recently. The issue is especially alarming in Sabah, where unemployment remains the highest in the country at around 7.9 per cent. Yet, Vun said more than half of employers report struggling to find suitable candidates to fill positions. 'There's something wrong somewhere,' Vun said. 'How can so many people be looking for jobs, and yet so many companies say they can't hire?' She said factory owners have turned to female workers to fill the gaps left by male candidates who have either dropped out of the workforce or shifted their career goals entirely. 'Over time, gender inequality in Sabah may no longer be a concern. However, it's worrying that many of the remaining workers are women, as men seem to have opted out,' she said. Instead of entering the workforce through conventional roles, many graduates – university-educated or not – are opting to become YouTubers or Grab drivers, drawn by the promise of higher income and flexibility. 'One Sabahan didn't even finish university but is now a millionaire YouTuber. Others prefer to drive Grab. They see it as more profitable than using the skills they were trained in,' Vun said. This trend suggests a loss of confidence in the traditional employment path and points to a broader issue: the lack of compelling, skill-aligned jobs that appeal to younger generations. For employers, it means fewer skilled candidates to hire. For graduates, it often means underemployment – or working outside their field entirely. Vun proposed a three-part strategy to bridge the gap between education and employability. 'Firstly, we must move from theory to practice. Most polytechnics and technical colleges have Industrial Advisory Boards – these boards must review the curriculum every six months. The updates must be driven by industry needs, not by outdated academic standards. 'Secondly, we need to embed micro-credentials into TVET programmes. These are competency certificates that recognise practical, professional, and technical skills beyond traditional coursework. For example, Simed Malaysia and Polytechnic Malaysia co-designed an automation module, and 100 per cent of the graduates were hired. This shows that when industry and education collaborate, graduates become job-ready. 'Thirdly, themeaningful Apprenticeships and Earn-While-You-Learn models. Two- or three-month industrial training during semester breaks is not enough. A minimum of six months is needed for real learning to occur. 'Programmes should integrate work and study – for example, three days on the job, two days in the classroom – to build both income and experience,' Vun said. The issue, however, doesn't lie solely with students. Vun also said many TVET trainers themselves lack industrial experience, having transitioned into teaching with limited time in actual factories or companies. 'You can't expect your students to be practical if you're not,' Vun argued. 'A lot of university lecturers have never worked in the fields they teach. That must change.' Vun proposed introducing 'industrial professors' – veteran professionals who can deliver masterclasses based on lived experience rather than theory. Trainers should also be required to shadow industries quarterly to stay updated with real-world practices. To truly transform graduate outcomes, Vun also outlined a four-step roadmap for government and educational institutions: First is to tie Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) to Key Performance indicators (KPIs). Vun said every industry partnership must include clear targets, such as 70 per cent employment rates, and must result in real knowledge and experience transfer. Then, incentivise employers. She said tax breaks and levy grants should be offered to companies that collaborate on training, curriculum, and apprenticeships. Next is digital feedback loops. Real-time dashboards should be developed to track hiring success, skills gaps, and programme effectiveness. Lastly, streamline approvals. Approval for new industry-linked programmes must be accelerated – no more five- or 10-year delays. 'Just talking about knowledge is not enough. Experience is everything. We need to walk the talk,' Vun said. She cited an example of an engineer who couldn't fix an air-conditioner, while a technician without formal education could. 'One has the certificate but no skill. The other has the skill but no certificate. That's why competency-based training matters,' Vun said. Sabah – and Malaysia as a whole – must rethink how we prepare our graduates. Without real change, the country risks producing more degrees, but fewer people who can actually do the job. * 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
Daily Express
12-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Four blocks ready; six by August: 22 years after RM152 million Federal project was launched
Published on: Saturday, July 12, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 12, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Residents finally receive the keys to their long-awaited homes at PPR Putera Kionsom. Kota Kinabalu: Four out of 10 blocks at Taman PPR Putera Kionsom, Inanam, are partly ready — 22 years after it was launched. Introduced under the Eighth Malaysia Plan in 2003, the People's Housing Project (PPR) was supposed to be completed within five years. In May, the low-cost flats received the Occupation Certificate (OC) for the four blocks. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who officiated the key handover ceremony, Friday, said once completed, the RM152.9 million project would house 1,000 families. 'After more than two decades, the Madani Government has finally delivered on a promise to the people of Sabah,' he said. Nga said the remaining six blocks are scheduled for completion end of August. The project includes 10 disabled-friendly units, two kindergartens, six shop lots, four suraus and eight community halls. He said the Federal Government would continue working with the State Government to provide more low-cost housing options, including rent-to-own schemes, especially for the B40 income group. 'Under this arrangement, the State provides the land, while the Federal Government funds the projects,' he said. Outlining the PRR model, Nga said urban PRR units are offered on a rental basis, while rural residents may benefit from a 20-year rent-to-own scheme. To strengthen rent compliance, he proposed implementing a hotel-style access card system that grants entry only to tenants with up-to-date payments. A pilot project in Johor reportedly increased collection rates from 45 to 95 percent. 'The rent is low as RM124 per month. With government assistance such as Bantuan Tunai Rahmah, there's no excuse not to pay,' he said. As of now, Sabah has 39 PPR projects with 35 completed, two under construction, and two more in the pipeline representing a total investment of RM3.02 billion and delivering 26,299 housing units statewide. Nga said new PRR sites are being considered in several districts across Sabah. He also revealed that RM195.35 million has been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) Fifth Rolling Plan for 48 infrastructure and repair projects in Sabah. Of that amount, RM39.78 million is allocated specifically for PRR and PPR works in Kionsom, Pitas, Lahad Datu, Kota Belud, Beaufort, Kibabaig, Sandakan, Kuala Penyu, and Tuaran. Other allocations include RM24.48 million for Rumah Mesra Rakyat, RM13.74 million for parks and landscaping, RM7.7 million for fire station upgrades, and RM32 million for landfill projects. As part of his Sabah working visit, Nga also toured several local developments, including the Foh Sang multi-level parking site, Luyang Multipurpose Hall, Tanjung Aru Recreational Park, Kepayan Square and Menggatal Residency (Phase 1A), where he handed over house keys. He also presented allocations for the maintenance of 15 non-Muslim places of worship. * 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
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Daily Express
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah's energy shift must be inclusive: Sabah Energy Corporation
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Annuar said SEC's strategy goes beyond corporate social responsibility-it is about embedding ESG values into every layer of decision-making. Kota Kinabalu: A just energy transition must ensure that the shift toward cleaner energy does not leave communities behind, said Sabah Energy Corporation (SEC) Chairman Datuk Annuar Ayub. He said that while the world is undergoing a major energy transformation, progress must be inclusive — one that protects livelihoods, enhances quality of life, and empowers communities across Sabah. 'We all agree that the world is transitioning. But a just energy transition must ensure that, as we shift towards cleaner energy, it does not leave communities behind,' Annuar said. He said this in his keynote address at the recent 12th Sabah Oil, Gas and Energy Conference and Exhibition (SOGCE), held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). As the largest natural gas supplier in Sabah, and one of the largest in Malaysia, SEC plays a pivotal role in driving this transformation. According to Annuar, the Corporation powers 86 percent of Sabah's electricity, supports over 45 industrial customers, and serves more than 500,000 households. Yet, he said SEC's impact extends beyond statistics — to powering the potential of youth, rural towns, and rising cities. Annuar stressed that natural gas remains a crucial transitional fuel in ensuring a stable and cleaner alternative to coal and diesel. It is especially vital in maintaining essential services such as hospitals, schools, and homes. He cited Esteel's green steel complex- an anchor project enabled by natural gas- as an example of how energy resources can catalyze large-scale industrial development and job creation. 'But we must be honest: this bridge cannot be long. It must lead us forward,' he said, adding that SEC is aggressively reinvesting gas-derived value into renewable energy. Annuar outlined several renewable projects currently spearheaded by SEC: A 15MW solar project in Tuaran is in advanced stages, A RM4billion hydroelectric project in Ulu Padas, Tenom, expected to contribute 15 percent to Sabah's grid capacity, integrates biodiversity offset plans such as floating solar and nature-positive engineering. Moreover, a 100MW utility-scale wind power project in Kudat is nearing the end of a detailed feasibility study. Once operational, it would mark Malaysia's first wind energy source, significantly reducing fossil fuel reliance. SEC is also the lead proponent of the wind energy initiative and is working closely with technical partners to ensure that development aligns with the interests of local communities. 'We prioritise respectful engagement and work collaboratively with village is not mere compliance. This is commitment,' Annuar said. These initiatives align with the SE-RAMP 2040 goal of having 35 per cent of Sabah's energy from renewable sources by 2035. Annuar said SEC's strategy goes beyond corporate social responsibility-it is about embedding ESG values into every layer of decision-making. The corporation has built partnerships with major entites including Petronas, Maybank, Cimb, Ambank, and Sabah Development Bank, as well as NGOs and civil society. On the ground, SEC is actively empowering Sabahans through the Skill Enchancement and Career Advancement (SECA) programme. The initiative targets underprivileged youth from B40 backgrounds, providing them with real work experience and allowances, with many securing employment post-training. 'Energy must empower. Otherwise, it is incomplete,' he said. SEC also supports local schools, clinics, and disaster preparedness efforts, reinforcing its commitment to equitable development. Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, SEC holds a 30 percent stake in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve initiative. This partnership supports rewilding efforts and the conservation of ecological corridors. 'We believe that energy development and ecological preservation can and must coexist,' he said. Annuar said Sabah's energy transition must not mirror Western Models, but instead be localized, just,and inclusive to ensure every village and community shared its benefits. 'At SEC, we believe we are not just powering homes. We are powering heart and hope. 'The future is not something we wait for. It is something we engineer with care, courage and collective purpose,' he said. * 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
