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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Borneo Country Music & Food Fest, KaamatanGawai June 27
Published on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 11, 2025 By: Esther Glorie Leow Text Size: Ladiuslaus (centre), from left: Catherine Benedict, Petrus Chia, Datuk Stephen Sampil, Ladiislaus, Edmond Lo, Pius Jaua and Titik Mojigoh. PENAMPANG: Sabah will play host to two major events this month, the Borneo Country Music Festival & Food Fest 2025 and KaamatanGawai 2025. Both organised by the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). KCCI President Datuk Ladislaus Maluda said the Borneo Country Music Festival & Food Fest would be the first of its kind in the State, offering a vibrant blend of culture, music, entrepreneurship and cuisine. Advertisement Scheduled to be held at Buhavan Square on June 27, the event will feature performances by school bands, local talents and headline musical acts. A special preview evening will take place on June 26 during the sound check. 'Country music is a sound that resonates across generations in Borneo. It's not about trends, it's about timeless stories and rhythm,' said Ladislaus during a press conference at the KCCI Office on Tuesday. He said the food fest would showcase stalls run by young local entrepreneurs offering a creative range of street food, from gourmet burgers to modern Sabahan fusion cuisine. 'We're not looking for just the usual fried noodles or fried bananas. We want to see creativity expressed in culinary form,' he added. Simultaneously, the KCCI–DCCI Golf Challenge will tee off at Sutera Harbour, featuring 134 golfers. The winner will move closer to claiming permanent ownership of the prestigious inter-chamber trophy. On June 28, focus will shift towards business and development with a forum centred on the oil and gas sector. The forum will bring together regional leaders in environmental, social and governance (ESG), artificial intelligence (AI) and regulatory compliance. More than 30 exhibitors, including KKIP and Asia Euro will also participate, showcasing local processed goods, handicrafts, and innovations aimed at advancing the Borneo marketplace. The festivities will culminate with the KaamatanGawai Gala Dinner at the ITCC Grand Ballroom, featuring performances and dignitaries from both Sabah and Sarawak. 'This event is more than just a celebration of the harvest season. It also serves as a barometer of business success,' said Ladislaus. 'From live cooking stations to local wines and traditional handicrafts, we want to highlight what Sabahan and Sarawakian entrepreneurs are truly capable of.' * 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
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
‘Review outdated Stamp Act' call
Published on: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 27, 2025 By: Mohd Izham Bin Hashim Text Size: Dennison criticised the Stamp Act for its rigid, colonial-era framework, arguing that its punitive measures no longer reflect the realities of today's economy. Kota Kinabalu: The Federal Government has been urged to initiate a comprehensive review of the outdated Stamp Act 1949, which is believed to disproportionately affect small businesses and rural communities in Sabah. 'There is an urgent need to update this law to ensure it is aligned with modern business practices and provide better support for the growth of small and microenterprises, rather than stifling them with outdated penalties,' said Dennison R. Indang, Supreme Council Member of the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). Dennison's call for reform comes in response to the recent imposition of a new stamp duty on job contracts by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). In a media statement Monday, he highlighted how this move underscores the pressing need for a law overhaul, noting that small and microenterprises are still burdened by outdated regulations. Dennison criticised the Stamp Act for its rigid, colonial-era framework, arguing that its punitive measures no longer reflect the realities of today's economy. He pointed out that many businesses in Sabah, especially small family-run businesses, operate informally. Advertisement 'In Sabah, many transactions are informal by nature, including family-based rental agreements, small-scale community business contracts, and personal loans,' Dennison said, who noted such informal transactions are now vulnerable to disproportionate enforcement under the Act. He said that businesses in Sabah, particularly those that rely on informal agreements, are facing significant challenges in complying with the Act's complex regulations. 'The Stamp Act remains rooted in outdated structures that impose significant financial and administrative burdens on small enterprises, particularly those that operate informally,' he added. In response to the negative impact of the Act on small businesses, Dennison proposed several key reforms. First, he called for a reduction or exemption of stamp duty on small-value transactions, particularly those under RM10,000, to reduce the burden on microenterprises and low-income groups. Denisson also suggested the introduction of a one-time amnesty for businesses that failed to comply with the Stamp Act due to a lack of information, rather than any intent to evade taxes. 'We need to allow businesses to correct their past mistakes without incurring harsh penalties,' he said, emphasizing that many businesses may have unintentionally failed to comply due to a lack of awareness. Furthermore, Dennison proposed the devolution of stamp duty processing powers to Sabah and Sarawak, allowing local authorities to apply the law in a more context-sensitive and people-friendly manner. 'Local authorities are better equipped to apply this law in a manner that reflects the unique economic and cultural circumstances of Sabah and Sarawak,' he said. To assist businesses in complying with the law, Dennison also called for the development of user-friendly digital platforms that offer clear guidance in both Malay and English. These platforms would ensure that rural communities have access to the information and support needed to navigate the Stamp Act. Lastly, Dennison called for the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to review the entire scope of the Stamp Act 1949. He suggested that the committee should involve diverse stakeholders, particularly voices from Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure that any reforms to the Act reflect the needs of small businesses in these regions. He noted the Act, which was introduced before Malaysia's independence, enforces rigid penalty structures, complex compliance requirements, and little flexibility — disproportionately affecting ordinary citizens who are often penalised not for wilful evasion, but due to a lack of awareness and access. 'We need a tax system that empowers, not punishes, those who are trying their best to comply.' Dennison concluded by stressing the need for tax laws that are modern, fair, and reflective of Malaysia's current economic environment. 'We are no longer living in 1949. Our laws must reflect a modern, fair, and forward-looking Malaysia,' 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
