Latest news with #Hamzah
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt aware of SST hike impact on cost of living, mechanism in place
KUALA LUMPUR: The government was fully prepared for the potential impact of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) on the cost of living, particularly food inflation, the Dewan Rakyat heard today. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said the Finance Ministry had anticipated inflationary pressures from the SST expansion and had put in place mechanisms to manage its effects. "Indeed, when we implemented the expansion of the SST, we were prepared for any impact and yes, we are aware that food and living costs would rise," she said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. Lim was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN–Larut), who asked about the government's strategies to reduce food prices following the SST expansion. Hamzah, who is also the Opposition Leader, said that while the overall inflation rate of 1.1 per cent in June may appear low, rising food prices were putting real pressure on the public. He also cited state-level food inflation data, which showed increases of 3.3 per cent in Negri Sembilan, 3.1 per cent in Selangor, and 2.9 per cent in Putrajaya. Hamzah also pointed out that the price of mackerel has increased from RM14.80 per kilogram before the SST hike to RM16 in Kuala Lumpur. Commenting further, Lim acknowledged that food inflation remained higher than the national average, even though the overall inflation rate for June 2025 stood at 1.1 per cent. "Certain areas, such as Negri Sembilan, may have recorded higher rates. But based on the overall data we have, the average of food inflation is 2.1 per cent in June and it stands at 2.4 per cent from January to June," she said. She also reiterated that the expanded SST was a targeted measure and that the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is actively monitoring food prices to ensure they remain under control. "We do not want food prices, especially for necessities, to increase uncontrollably. "As such, the ministry will continue to monitor prices from time to time to ensure that the cost of living does not rise significantly," she said. Malaysia's inflation rose at a slower pace of 1.1 per cent in June 2025, with the index standing at 134.5 points compared to 133.0 in the same month last year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). DoSM's June 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) release stated moderation was also reflected in the Producer Price Index (PPI) for local production, which declined by 3.6 per cent in May 2025. Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said 59.2 per cent of items, or 339 out of 573, recorded price increases. Nonetheless, of this total, 329 items (97.1 per cent) recorded an increase of less than or equal to 10 per cent, while only 10 items posted increases exceeding 10 per cent in June 2025. The remaining 192 items (33.5 per cent) recorded a decline, and 42 items remained unchanged, he said. DoSM said the food and beverages group, which contributes 29.8 per cent to the total CPI, rose 2.1 per cent in June 2025. Meanwhile, responding to Hamzah's original question on the government's strategy to reduce the burden of the people's cost of living, Lim said efforts to raise the economic floor and ensure improved welfare for the majority of the population despite rising living costs will be continued. Among the initiatives, she said, include the Rahmah Cash Aid and Basic Rahmah Aid, which total RM13 billion in 2025 compared to RM10 billion previously.
Focus Malaysia
4 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Muhyiddin discusses united opposition front with 11 party leaders, without PAS
BERSATU chairman and former premier Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin met with leaders of 11 non-government parties to discuss forming a cross-party coalition to adopt joint positions on issues affecting the people and nation. He met with leaders from Gerakan, Pejuang, Urimai, the Malaysian Indian People's Party, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, and Malaysian United Democratic Alliance with plans to form a united opposition front. But one element did not escape the attention of observers. There was not a single PAS representative in the meeting. The report stated that Muhyiddin aims to strengthen the opposition's check-and-balance role in and out of Parliament. 'The formation of this cross-party coalition is intended to strengthen the check-and-balance role of opposition parties both inside and outside Parliament. 'All those present gave very positive feedback on this proposal,' he said in a Facebook post. Muhyiddin plans to bring their views to the next Perikatan Nasional Supreme Council meeting. This meeting comes after calls for some in Bersatu to replace Muhyiddin with deputy leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zaidnuddin. A Bersatu division on July 7 approved a motion for party member Hamzah to take over as party president, with Muhyiddin taking on an advisory role. Port Dickson Bersatu division deputy chief Akkil Aizat Othman said the present leadership lineup has failed to address issues experienced by Malaysians. But in June, Hamzah had reportedly denied any rift within Perikatan Nasional and its lynchpin, Bersatu, saying critics were merely trying to divide the Opposition pact. In an interview with Mingguan Malaysia, Hamzah denied any move to oust Muhyiddin from leading the pact and party. — July 19, 2025 Main photo credit: Muhyiddin's Faceboo
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Borneo Post
Petra Jaya villager who trespassed into neighbour's compound to steal mangoes gets RM1,000 fine
Photo for illustration purposes only. KUCHING (July 17): A man was today fined RM1,000 in default one month in jail after he pleaded guilty to trespassing into a fellow villager's compound to steal mangoes. Hamzah Bakeri, 37, from Kampung Semariang Jaya in Petra Jaya here was charged with committing criminal trespass under Section 447 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to six months in prison or a fine not exceeding RM3,000, or both, upon conviction. He committed the offence at 3.45am on July 14. Based on the facts of the case, the homeowner heard noises outside her house and, upon checking, saw Hamzah plucking mangoes from a tree within her fenced compound. Together with her husband, the couple apprehended Hamzah and handed him over to police along with a rattan basket containing 17 mangoes. ASP Arman Ibrahim prosecuted the case before Magistrate Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali, while Hamzah did not have legal representation. Arman Ibrahim Kuching Magistrates' Court Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Opposition rejects Rafizi's call to support RCI on judicial appointments
KUALA LUMPUR: The opposition has rejected Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's call for members of parliament to support the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the appointment of top judicial positions. Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chief Whip Takiyuddin Hassan said the opposition bloc has no intention of supporting the proposal as the Pandan MP remains part of the government administration. He said Rafizi had sent a letter to several PN MPs. "Yesterday I received confirmation from opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin regarding a letter Rafizi sent through the parliamentary service centre on Wednesday. "Up to now, neither of us has received Rafizi's letter, in which he reportedly urged PN MPs to support his call for the government to establish an RCI concerning judicial appointments. "We confirm that we will not support the proposal because Rafizi is still a member of the government or a government supporter. So why is he seeking support from the opposition?" he said during a press conference at the Al Bukhary Foundation here today. Earlier, Takiyuddin was among those who attended the second roundtable session of the Secretariat to Defend the Judicial System, alongside former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The session was also attended by several political party leaders, NGOs, and members of the legal fraternity. Takiyuddin, who is also Pas secretary-general, said PN lacks confidence in forming an RCI under the current circumstances, as its establishment requires the prime minister's advice to be submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, while PN is calling for the prime minister to step down. "Because of that, we feel it's not our place to support this. If Rafizi is serious, he needs to show that he supports the effort to call for the prime minister's resignation — either inside or outside Parliament," he said. He said during the Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQ) session on July 22, Hamzah is expected to ask just one question. "Datuk Seri Hamzah himself will be asking the sole question to Anwar. "Usually, there are three questions — two for the government and one for the opposition. "Hamzah will raise the issue of the judiciary. If Rafizi wants, he should request a supplementary question from the government side."
The Star
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Anwar, Zahid convey condolences to Hamzah Zainudin over father-in-law's passing
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has conveyed his condolences to Perikatan Nasional (PN) deputy chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin on the passing of his father-in-law, Datuk Abdul Ghani Ngah. In a Facebook post Saturday (July 5), the Prime Minister also prayed for Hamzah's family to be granted strength and patience in facing this difficult time. "I pray for Hamzah and his family, that they are granted strength in facing this difficult test. May the soul of the deceased be forgiven of all sins and placed among the righteous, insya-Allah," said the Prime Minister. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also extended his condolences to Hamzah following the passing of his father-in-law. Ahmad Zahid, in a Facebook post, also prayed for the family to be granted strength and perseverance during this difficult time. "This is indeed a very challenging test for the family and a great loss to all who knew him," he said. "Let us all recite Al-Fatihah for the late Datuk Abdul Ghani Ngah, who was also the father-in-law of Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, and pray that his soul is blessed, forgiven of all sins, and placed among the righteous," he said. Abdul Ghani passed away at 1.45pm Saturday. It is understood that Abdul Ghani, 83, had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital following complications and breathing difficulties after his house caught fire on June 19. He will be laid to rest on Saturday night at the Kampung Rapat Jaya Muslim Cemetery, Ipoh, Perak. - Bernama
