Latest news with #HamzahZainudin
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Dewan Rakyat: Aid Increase For The People In 2025, Shows Govt's Commitment To Lower Cost Of Livng
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The increase in the allocation for various forms of financial assistance for 2025 proves the commitment of the MADANI Government in its efforts to reduce the cost of living pressures faced by the people, while also driving sustainable and resilient economic growth. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said among the key initiatives was the increase in the allocation for the Sumbangan TunaI Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) to RM13 billion this year, compared to RM10 billion, which benefits almost nine million recipients or 60 per cent of the adult population. 'The maximum rate for households in 2025 has also been increased to RM4,600, an increase of almost 25 per cent compared to RM3,700 in 2024. 'The government has also raised the allocation for assistance under the Department of Social Welfare (JKM) to RM2.9 billion for 2025 compared to RM2.4 billion previously,' she said in reply to a question by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin during question and answer session at Dewan Rakyat today. Hamzah raised a question regarding the government's strategy to reduce the burden of the people's cost of living, following the country's total debt which has now reached RM1.5 trillion. Lim said other assistance included the Elderly Assistance being increased to RM600 per month compared to RM500, an increase in the Child Assistance for Poor Families to RM250 (six years and below) and RM200 (seven to 18 years), subject to a maximum rate of RM1,000 per family. Also increased is the General Assistance in the Federal Territories to RM150 per month compared to RM100, with a maximum rate of RM500 per family. 'The government has also allocated RM1 billion for various initiatives to address the cost of living comprehensively, including price control of basic goods such as rice and cooking oil. 'Of that amount, RM300 million is allocated specifically for the RAHMAH Umbrella Programme, including the expansion of RAHMAH Sales to all state constituencies to offer basic goods at affordable prices,' he said.
Malaysiakini
4 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
What's govt doing to bring down food cost inflation, asks Hamzah
PARLIAMENT | Opposition and government MPs have banded together in the Dewan Rakyat today in urging the government to address rising costs of living, particularly amid increased food price inflation. Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) had first questioned Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying on the government's plan to tackle the rising food cost inflation, taking issue with the expanded sales and service tax (SST) affecting food items.
The Star
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Govt taking steps to keep food price hikes in check after SST expansion, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is taking heightened measures to control living costs given the higher food inflation rate, says Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying. She said the average food inflation rate is at 2.1%, higher than the overall inflation rate which was at 1.1% as of June. 'We expected... an increase in the cost of food or cost of living owing to the expansion of sales and service tax (SST). 'The government, through the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, will continuously monitor food prices to ensure (they) are controlled, especially essential items,' she said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 23). Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) had asked the ministry to explain the measures taken to control food prices that did not reflect the inflation rate. Lim explained that while the food inflation rate is at 2.1%, some places in the country might have higher rates because of other factors. Earlier, she also said the government has outlined several assistance and subsidy programmes to reduce the burden on the people. She said this included higher Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah, which had increased from RM10bil to RM13bil, benefitting nine million Malaysians. 'The allocation for assistance under the Social Welfare Department for this year has also increased to RM2.9bil from RM2.4bil. 'The government has also allocated RM1bil to more broadly address the cost of living, including controlling the prices of basic commodities such as rice and cooking oil. "This includes the Payung Rahmah Programme, for which RM300mil has been allocated this year," she added. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Cybercrime, cost of living & TNB bills top Parliament agenda today
KUALA LUMPUR: Cybercrime issues, cost of living, and changes to the Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) electricity bill structure are among the matters that will be raised in Parliament today. According to the Order of Business on the Parliament portal, Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) will ask the Home Minister about the number of cybercrime cases reported throughout 2024 as well as the ministry's steps to improve the level of digital security of the people, during the question-and-answer session. Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) will ask the Finance Minister about the government's strategy to reduce the burden of the people's cost of living following the country's total debt now reaching RM1.5 trillion, in addition to the World Bank's announcement that Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2025 will fall to 3.9 per cent and the country's situation facing reciprocal tariffs from the United States. Also expected to attract attention will be the question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) who will seek an explanation from the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation on the changes to the TNB electricity bill structure which no longer uses tiered rates for domestic consumers. He also will want to know whether the new mechanism would ensure cost fairness, energy efficiency, and maintain concentrated subsidies for the B40 and M40 groups. In addition, Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin) will also pose a question to the Minister of Communications on whether social media such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Xiaohongshu which publish advertisements about various scams and fraudulent investment schemes are held accountable to the victims of scams and fraudulent schemes through the said platforms. After the question-and-answer session, the session will continue with the tabling of the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025 and Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, respectively for first reading. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament is scheduled to last 24 days, and among the focus is the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan on July 31. - Bernama
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
In Dewan Rakyat today: Cybersecurity, changes to TNB electricity bill structure, and high living costs
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — Cybercrime issues, cost of living, and changes to the Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) electricity bill structure are among the matters that will be raised in Parliament today. According to the Order of Business on the Parliament portal, Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar) will ask the Home Minister about the number of cybercrime cases reported throughout 2024 as well as the ministry's steps to improve the level of digital security of the people, during the question-and-answer session. Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) will ask the Finance Minister about the government's strategy to reduce the burden of the people's cost of living following the country's total debt now reaching RM1.5 trillion, in addition to the World Bank's announcement that Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2025 will fall to 3.9 per cent and the country's situation facing reciprocal tariffs from the United States. Also expected to attract attention will be the question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) who will seek an explanation from the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation on the changes to the TNB electricity bill structure which no longer uses tiered rates for domestic consumers. He also will want to know whether the new mechanism would ensure cost fairness, energy efficiency, and maintain concentrated subsidies for the B40 and M40 groups. In addition, Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin) will also pose a question to the Minister of Communications on whether social media such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Xiaohongshu which publish advertisements about various scams and fraudulent investment schemes are held accountable to the victims of scams and fraudulent schemes through the said platforms. After the question-and-answer session, the session will continue with the tabling of the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025 and Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, respectively for first reading. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament is scheduled to last 24 days, and among the focus is the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan on July 31. — Bernama
