Latest news with #Fuad
The Star
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Business groups feeling the pinch
Red ink rising: Fuad (left) and Ravindran say many of their members are noting a drop in sales, especially in the last few weeks. JOHOR BARU: Public concerns over the possible impact of the looming United States tariff and the recent expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) are beginning to show tangible effects, according to business groups here. Johor Baru Bazaar Karat Development and Welfare Association president Fuad Rahmat said many of its members have noticed a drop in sales, especially in the last few weeks. 'While none of our members have gone as far as shutting down for good or scaling down their businesses, they are definitely affected. 'Business has not been good for a lot of traders, with some even saying that sales were worse than during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'While the expanded SST does not directly affect Bazaar Karat traders, it may contribute to lower sales as people are afraid to spend too much due to the uncertain impacts of the tax expansion and the coming US tariff,' he said. He added that business groups such as his would need to be creative to assist their members in offsetting the impact of the SST. 'We need to be proactive and come up with ideas to help attract more people to the bazaar. 'One of the initiatives we have taken up is giving customers coupons that they can use when shopping at the bazaar. 'We are also planning to come up with some events that may help bring in more visitors,' he said. Johor Baru Small Businesses Association chairman Tey Tian Hwang said some of its members were contemplating shutting down their businesses, but after a review, such sentiments have gone quiet for now. 'However, they have seen the number of customers dwindling, especially in the last week or two, as people try to avoid spending due to uncertainty about their financial future,' he said. He added that the government should consider looking at profit margin instead of turnover when deciding on the SST threshold. 'It may not be the best yardstick. There are many businesses that may have high revenue but because of increased operational costs, their profit margins are small,' he said. Meanwhile, Johor Indian Petty Traders and Small Business Association chairman D. Ravindran said its members have also started to feel the impact of the expanded SST. 'It has significantly impacted local retail operators, particularly small, medium and micro enterprises, which make up the majority of businesses here,' he said. 'For these businesses, especially in the logistics, services and retail sectors, these changes mean increased costs, new compliance and narrower profit margins.' He added that the 25% US tariff would worsen the situation as it would contribute to an increase in the prices of products exported to the United States. 'It will affect Malaysian Indians involved in businesses such as exporting spices, ready-to-eat food, and palm oil derivatives, as it makes the goods they export less competitive in the US market. 'This may potentially lead to a decrease in export volumes and prompt US companies to start looking for cheaper alternatives,' he said. The expanded SST, which took effect this month, now covers more goods and services with tax rates ranging from 5% to 10%. Separately, the US has also announced a 25% tariff on imports from Malaysia, which is expected to take effect next month.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Mohd Fuad is first Sabahan to be the state's MACC director
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) Penang director, Datuk Mohd Fuad Bee Basrah, is set to take over as Sabah MACC director, replacing Datuk Karunanithy Subbiah. Fuad, the first Sabahan to hold the post, is expected to take over in the first week of August, according to MACC officials, as congratulatory messages were shared on social media. Karunanithy, the longest-serving director at Sabah MACC, having held the position since March 2019, will be the commission's Penang director. Fuad had previously served in Sabah and was an integrity officer with the Chief Minister's Department in 2019. Most state MACC directors serve two to three years in each posting. A predecessor, Abdul Aziz Abdul Jalil, also served for about six years as the state director between 1970 and 1976, when the graft-buster was still the Anti-Corruption Agency. When contacted on Monday (July 14), Karunanithy confirmed that he will be transferred and expects the handing over of duties ceremony to be on Aug 7. "Many Sabahans will be happy and proud with Fuad's appointment as Sabah director," he said.
The Star
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Traders brace for cost hikes, weaker spending
JOHOR BARU: The expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST), which comes into effect on July 1, will likely impact local traders and consumers including those coming from Singapore, say Johor business groups. Johor Indian Petty Traders and Small Business Association chairman D. Ravindran said many of their 400-odd members have already voiced their concerns over the SST expansion. ALSO READ: Call to review SST for SMEs 'We are already struggling with high costs, so the timing (of the expanded tax) has come at the wrong time. 'Many of us are already paying high rental fees especially those who are operating within the Johor Baru area,' he said when contacted. Ravindran said that the SST expansion would lead to lower spending power of Malaysian consumers. Although Singaporeans prefer to cross the Causeway and Second Link to shop and eat in Johor, he said that 'as a local business, we cannot just depend solely on Singaporean customers or those earning Singapore dollars'. 'We need support from Malaysian consumers, too,' he said. The Finance Ministry had announced that the reviewed and expanded SST, as stated in Budget 2025, would take effect on July 1. The measure aims to strengthen the country's fiscal position by increasing revenue and broadening the tax base. South Johor SME Association adviser Teh Kee Sin said that the SST expansion would lead to a significant impact on Johor Baru's economy, especially for those involved in retail, food and beverage and services. 'Surely the SST revision will increase the prices of raw materials. This would add on to the selling price,' he said. He said that consumers, even those earning Singapore dollars, are sensitive to price increases. Johor Baru Bazaar Karat Development and Welfare Association president Fuad Rahmat said the expected increase in SST rate would undoubtedly have an impact on the ecosystem of small traders, such as those operating at the Bazar Karat here. 'The purchasing power of local visitors as well as those from Singapore has been declining in recent times. 'With SST, prices may go up. The customer may not know that part of the cost is due to tax,' he said. Furthermore, he said that suppliers or distributors could raise prices arbitrarily on the pretext of taxation. Fuad said he was concerned that small traders like them do not have the bargaining power that large companies do. 'When suppliers raise their prices, we have little choice but to absorb the higher costs or pass them on to our customers. 'This, in turn, will make visitors more cautious about spending,' he said. He urged the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to tighten enforcement against suppliers who take advantage on the situation by raising prices without justification. Fuad also said that the focus should not be solely on traders, but also on the supply chain, which could be the real source of these price hikes. 'As a community of micro and informal traders, I hope the government will consider providing special assistance, exemptions, or targeted subsidies, for this group, so we can continue to survive and contribute to the local economy, while helping to draw more visitors to commercial centres like Bazar Karat JB,' he said.
The Star
24-06-2025
- The Star
Serial thief loses appeal to reduce six-year jail term
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A man convicted of multiple theft and housebreaking offences failed in his attempt to reduce his six-year jail sentence, after the Court of Appeal dismissed his application to appeal out of time. Fuad Ibrahim had pleaded guilty to three separate offences—housebreaking, theft in a building and house trespass—committed between January and October 2021. He was sentenced to an aggregate of six years' imprisonment with two strokes of the cane by the Intermediate Court in September 2023. Fuad's application for leave to appeal argued that his sentences should run concurrently, citing his family responsibilities, medical condition (hemorrhoids) and cooperation with authorities. However, the Court of Appeal, presided by Chief Justice Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong, with Justices Michael Lunn and Edward Timothy Starbuck Woolley, rejected the application. The court heard that Fuad's crimes involved separate incidents over a 10-month period. These included breaking into a home in Kampong Jangsak, stealing electronics and jewellery and later stealing BND10,500 from a cafe owner's bag. Another burglary involved breaking into a house in Limau Manis and stealing valuables while the owner was working offshore. Despite Fuad's eventual guilty plea, the court noted that it was only entered after the trial had already been set to proceed, and not at the earliest opportunity. His long criminal history, spanning 21 prior convictions for theft-related offences since 2007, weighed heavily against him. In delivering the judgment, the court emphasised that Fuad's offending showed a pattern of repeat criminality with no evidence of rehabilitation, justifying consecutive sentences. The judges also found that the original sentencing judge had already been generous in granting a one-third discount on each sentence due to the guilty plea. With no arguable merit to the appeal, the Court of Appeal concluded that granting an extension of time would serve no useful purpose, and dismissed the application. Fuad will continue to serve his six-year sentence with two strokes of the cane. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Firdaus Mohammad represented the respondent. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
The Star
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Federal Govt, youth participation sought for 50th anniversary of Double Six crash next year
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government expects greater participation in next year's 50th anniversary of the Double Six tragedy, with plans to invite federal leaders and involve more students from schools and universities. State Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin said the involvement of national leaders and youths would help deepen public understanding of the tragedy's historical significance. He said this was discussed with several leaders during the 49th anniversary commemoration held at the crash site in Sembulan on Friday (June 6), which included a wreath-laying ceremony and a poetry competition featuring 132 participants, a sign of continued public engagement with the legacy of the incident. ALSO READ: NGO renews push to include 'Double Six' tragedy in Sabah's history lessons 'There should also be invitations to youths from schools and universities for future commemorations. "This is to ensure we continue to remember this tragedy and reaffirm the facts about Sabah's political history,' he said. The Double Six tragedy, which occurred on June 6, 1976, claimed the life of then chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens and marked a turning point in Sabah's political landscape. ALSO READ: 'Double Six' tragedy: Memorial needs a proper monument, says Kitingan Apart from Fuad, the other 10 victims included his eldest son Johari, state housing and local government minister Datuk Peter Mojuntin, communications and public works minister Datuk Chong Thien Vun, Sabah finance minister Datuk Salleh Sulong, assistant minister to the deputy chief minister Datuk Darius Binion, the finance minister's secretary Datuk Wahid Peter Andau, economic planning unit director Dr Syed Hussein Wafa, and the finance minister's private secretary Ishak Atan. The crash also claimed the lives of Fuad's bodyguard Corporal Said Mohammad and pilot Gandhi J. Nathan. Although the official investigation report was declassified in 2023, questions and public scepticism about the cause of the crash persist. ALSO READ: Kitingan: No final answers from declassified reports on Double Six crash Meanwhile, NGO Sunduvan Sabah continues efforts to have the tragedy included in Sabah's school syllabus as part of institutionalising remembrance and educating the younger generation. Its chairman Aloysius Danim Siap said the 1976 plane crash, which wiped out nearly half of Sabah's Cabinet, must be formally recognised in education. As part of the campaign, the group will present its proposal to the state Education director and publish a book compiling verified historical records, personal testimonies, and analysis of the social and political impact of the crash.
