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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Police record statement from DAP youth chief over satirical social media post
IPOH: Police have recorded the statement of DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong to assist in investigations regarding a social media post featuring a caricature of Perak opposition leader Razman Zakaria. Acting Gerik district police chief Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Firdaus Abdullah confirmed the matter when contacted today. "Yes, a statement was recorded. It is part of the investigation process," he said briefly. Earlier today, Woo, who is also the Perak State Executive Councillor for Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and New Villages, in a press conference said he had given his statement to the police following a report lodged against him over a Facebook post from April featuring a clown-themed caricature of Razman. Lawyer Syahredzan Johan, who is representing Woo, said two investigating officers from the Gerik district police headquarters visited the Exco Office at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building to record the statement, which lasted about 30 minutes, starting at 10.50am. "All the questions were answered. We fully cooperated," he said during a press conference at the Perak DAP headquarters today. Syahredzan said police also seized Woo's iPhone and SIM card for further investigation. Meanwhile, Woo described the police report lodged against him as an unhealthy political culture and an attempt to stifle freedom of expression. He claimed that political satire, including caricatures, does not constitute a personal attack but is instead a form of public oversight. "As a politician, I defend everyone's right to criticise me, and at the same time, I also have the right to respond rather than stay silent," he said. Previously, Razman had demanded that Woo issue a public apology during the Perak State Legislative Assembly session over the publication of provocative content targeting him, which was posted on social media on April 10. However, Woo stood by his action, arguing that the caricature was a form of satire based on facts — one of the cornerstones of democracy.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
What gas subsidy cut? Armizan tells Wee Ka Siong ministry just cracking down on misuse, policy not new
PUTRAJAYA, June 1 — Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali has urged Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong to review the regulations introduced during his tenure in the Cabinet before making public statements on government policies related to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) subsidies. The minister of domestic trade and cost of living said no new policies or subsidy cuts have been introduced under the Ops Gasak, after Wee accused the ministry of restricting the use of subsidised LPG to hawkers. 'Its primary focus is to combat illegal decanting, smuggling, and the use of subsidised LPG by medium- and large-scale industries,' Armizan explained in a statement. 'It is inaccurate to claim that all hawkers and food and beverage traders are prohibited from using subsidised LPG cylinders,' he added. Armizan clarified that Ops Gasak is being carried out under existing laws, including the Control of Supplies Act 1961, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the Control of Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2021. The 2021 amendment, which took effect on October 15, 2021, requires any party using over 42kg of LPG to obtain a Scheduled Controlled Goods Permit. He noted that this regulation was enforced during the previous administration, in which Wee served as a Cabinet minister. 'Giving him the benefit of the doubt, perhaps he overlooked this regulation as it fell under a different ministry, and his team may not have provided accurate advice before he issued his public statement,' he said. At present, Armizan said the ministry has not taken legal action, issued compounds, or confiscated goods from F&B traders without the required permit, focusing instead on advocacy and compliance awareness. Armizan said the ministry is open to receiving complaints and suggestions and has already received proposals from various parties, including DAP leaders. He added that any proposed improvements, including amendments to the 2021 regulation, would be brought to the Cabinet for consideration. On Friday, the ministry's director-general of enforcement Datuk Azman Adam explained that the inspection under Ops Gasak is only at the advocacy, review, and notification stage of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Ministry: Festive price caps for Kaamatan, Gawai extended to seven days, more goods added including coconut and onions
INANAM, May 23 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) will implement the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) in conjunction with the Kaamatan and Gawai Festivals for seven days. Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the Kaamatan Festival SHMMP will begin on May 27 and continue until June 2, whereas the Gawai Festival SHMMP will be from May 29 to June 4. 'A total of 10 items are listed under the Kaamatan SHMMP compared to eight last year with the addition of imported large yellow and red onions. 'For the SHMMP in conjunction with the Gawai Festival, 11 items have been listed, compared to eight last year, with the addition of three items—whole coconuts, grated coconut, and coconut milk,' he told reporters at Pisompuruan Hall in Kampung Kobuni here today. Armizan said the SHMMP will be implemented three days before, a day during, and three days after the festivals. He said the duration of the price control initiative considers the interests of consumers and the business community, allowing consumers to purchase essential items at reasonable prices while ensuring that traders are not burdened by a lengthy enforcement period. Items listed under the price control scheme during the Kaamatan Festival include live pigs (with maximum prices set only at farms), pork meat, fat, and belly. Other items are buffalo meat imported from India (except the tenderloin), chicken wings, curly dried chillies, small red onions (India) and garlic (China). The price control list for Gawai celebrations includes live pigs, pork (meat, fat, and belly), live old chickens, chicken wings, and round cabbage imported from Indonesia and China, except Beijing cabbage, garlic from China, and dried curly chillies. — Bernama
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Ministry: Festive price caps for Kaamatan, Gawai extended to 7 days, more goods added including coconut and onions
INANAM, May 23 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) will implement the Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) in conjunction with the Kaamatan and Gawai Festivals for seven days. Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the Kaamatan Festival SHMMP will begin on May 27 and continue until June 2, whereas the Gawai Festival SHMMP will be from May 29 to June 4. 'A total of 10 items are listed under the Kaamatan SHMMP compared to eight last year with the addition of imported large yellow and red onions. 'For the SHMMP in conjunction with the Gawai Festival, 11 items have been listed, compared to eight last year, with the addition of three items—whole coconuts, grated coconut, and coconut milk,' he told reporters at Pisompuruan Hall in Kampung Kobuni here today. Armizan said the SHMMP will be implemented three days before, a day during, and three days after the festivals. He said the duration of the price control initiative considers the interests of consumers and the business community, allowing consumers to purchase essential items at reasonable prices while ensuring that traders are not burdened by a lengthy enforcement period. Items listed under the price control scheme during the Kaamatan Festival include live pigs (with maximum prices set only at farms), pork meat, fat, and belly. Other items are buffalo meat imported from India (except the tenderloin), chicken wings, curly dried chillies, small red onions (India) and garlic (China). The price control list for Gawai celebrations includes live pigs, pork (meat, fat, and belly), live old chickens, chicken wings, and round cabbage imported from Indonesia and China, except Beijing cabbage, garlic from China, and dried curly chillies. — Bernama
Malay Mail
27-04-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Armizan: Sabah, Sarawak technical committees to tackle soaring goods prices driven by high logistics costs
MIRI, April 27 — Two technical committees will be established in Sabah and Sarawak to formulate more specific and targeted strategies to address goods price issues in both states, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. He said that the decision was made following the presentation of findings from studies conducted by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to the committee recently. 'Initial findings indicate that one of the main factors contributing to the high prices of goods in both states is the high logistics cost of transporting goods from Peninsular Malaysia,' he told reporters after attending the Rahmah MADANI Sales programme at Emart Riam, here, yesterday. He said that although certain goods are cheaper in Sarawak compared with Peninsular Malaysia, the prices of most daily necessities remain higher, due to geographical factors and shipping costs. The two technical committees would involve collaboration with the two universities and will be co-chaired by representatives from both the federal and state governments, comprising either ministers or deputy ministers. 'Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof will soon hold a meeting with the Premier of Sarawak, to discuss the appointment of the chairman and deputy chairman of the technical committee in Sarawak, while I will personally meet with the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, for the same purpose,' he explained. According to him, in Sabah, one of the initial areas of focus identified is the price of chicken, a primary source of protein, where studies found that chicken prices remain high, despite the presence of many local chicken farms. In addition, basic goods such as sugar are also a concern, as Sabah and Sarawak do not have their own sugar refineries, further contributing to higher costs. With the establishment of the technical committees, the government aims to develop long-term action plans, including allocation planning under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), currently being finalised through the Ministry of Economy, to strengthen food security and stabilise prices in Sabah and Sarawak. — Bernama
