Latest news with #NewStraitsTimes
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
SST on private healthcare may drive up costs
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The newly imposed 6 per cent expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) on private healthcare services for non-citizens could inflate medical costs across the board, raising concerns over long-term affordability and system sustainability. Gleneagles Hospital Johor chief executive officer and regional CEO of Southern and Eastern IHH Malaysia, Dr Kamal Amzan said while the government insists that the tax targets medical tourists and expatriates; and not Malaysians, yet the ripple effects may hit closer home. "Healthcare is not made up of standalone bills. It's an ecosystem held together by hundreds of interdependent services," Dr Kamal said. "By taxing services like cleaning, linen supply, lab logistics and security, which are integral to hospital operations, you are essentially taxing the cost of care itself," he told the New Straits Times. Dr Kamal, who has written extensively on health system policy, also said under the current service tax framework, many contracted hospitals support services are subject to SST. But unlike the former Goods and Services Tax system, private hospitals are unable to claim input tax credits, which meant the costs were absorbed directly or passed on to patients. The move to impose SST, comes at a time when private healthcare inflation has already outpaced wage growth, with a 12 percent increase recorded last year. He said healthcare providers are grappling with rising medical equipment costs, wage hikes for healthcare workers and delayed treatments post-Covid. "Hospitals facing slimmer margins, may resort to fee increases, administrative charges, or cutbacks in services to stay afloat. "This is not a policy that strengthens the healthcare system. It's a revenue patch that risks further weakening it. "We are taxing the scaffolding of care while pretending the house will still stand. "Contrary to public perception, private hospitals do not serve only the wealthy. Many middle-income families rely on them to avoid long public sector queues, while employers use them to reduce workplace absenteeism. "Private hospitals are a pressure valve for the overstretched public system. When access narrows in the private sector due to rising costs, patients will default to public care. And our government hospitals are already under immense strain," he said. To minimise unintended fallout, Dr Kamal urged the government to exempt core hospital support services such as linen supply, lab transport, cleaning, and security from SST when provided to licensed healthcare facilities. "These aren't luxuries. They are the minimum conditions for safe, modern care," he said. "While the government has maintained that medicines and services for Malaysians remain tax-free, critics argue the new policy amounts to a stopgap solution rather than a long-term fix. "If we must impose taxes on care, let's at least be honest that it's to plug the revenue gap and not pretend its healthcare reform because a system that survives by charging more isn't being strengthened," he added.
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
ASF outbreak: 822 pigs culled in Penang, no new infections reported
TASEK GELUGOR: A total of 822 pigs have been officially disposed of in response to the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Kampung Selamat here, the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) said. State DVS director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab said the figure includes 578 live pigs that were culled and buried, and 244 carcasses that were also buried using proper disposal methods. "Despite earlier concerns of the disease spreading, no new farms have tested positive for ASF since July 12. "The number of infected farms remains at three, and authorities continue to maintain strict surveillance," she told the New Straits Times today. It was reported that authorities had intensified containment measures following confirmed outbreaks of ASF at three pig farms in Kampung Selamat. The ASF outbreak was first reported on July 7 by a member of the public, who observed pigs exhibiting clinical signs consistent with the disease. The report triggered an immediate response by the DVS, which conducted inspections and collected samples at surrounding farms. Dr Saira Banu said the DVS continues to take critical steps to contain and manage the situation. This includes the disposal of both live infected pigs and carcasses at the affected farms. She said they had also enforced movement restrictions, barring pigs from infected farms from being transferred elsewhere, with movement only allowed to designated slaughterhouses. "Ongoing monitoring and sampling at slaughterhouses and farms to detect any new cases early are also underway. "We have also enhanced biosecurity measures and increased awareness campaigns among pig farmers to prevent further infections," she added. Dr Saira Banu said investigations were being conducted into farms suspected of failing to report pig deaths. She said that DVS was also identifying suitable land for use as long-term disposal sites for pigs, if necessary. Authorities have urged all pig farmers to remain vigilant, comply with all biosecurity guidelines, and report any unusual deaths or symptoms immediately to prevent further spread of ASF.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
#NST180years: A legacy forged in time - NST's enduring journey
AT 180 years old, the New Straits Times has stood as a steadfast chronicle of Malaysia's journey, celebrating national successes and sharing in moments of sorrow and triumph across generations. This incredible longevity is a testament to the publication's continuous adaptation to an evolving media landscape, consistently delivering outstanding content, whether in print or digital format. Its journalistic prowess is undeniable, highlighted by the NST's historic award wins, internationally and domestically, including the prestigious Kajai Award, breaking the long-standing dominance of Malay dailies — no small feat indeed. Far from slowing down, Malaysia's oldest newspaper is embracing the future with vigour. The NST has a readership of close to 3.8 million weekly, people searching for news that matters. Under the leadership of Media Prima Bhd Group Managing Editor Jasbant Singh and NST Group Editor Farrah Naz Karim, who is also MPB deputy group managing editor, the NST editorial team has swiftly adopted a digital-first approach. Prioritising online discourse, the NST leverages podcasts, short videos, artificial intelligence-generated content and new technologies to better capture and respond to the nation's pulse. This paradigm shift has enabled the NST to significantly gain ground on competing English dailies. While the journey continues, the publication's unwavering commitment to reinvention and journalistic excellence makes it a formidable contender for years to come. For me personally, the New Straits Times holds a special place as I vividly recall eagerly following its stories during my younger days, often seeing my parents engrossed in its pages. Now, as the paper approaches its bicentennial, I look forward to the day when my own children and their offspring will engage with news from the NST, too, and do so for a long time into the future. This remarkable journey is not just a reflection of its past, but a vibrant promise of its continued voice, influence and innovation in the years to come.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- General
- New Straits Times
#NST180years: NST at 180 - A story still unfolding
I'VE never been one to get over-excited about birthdays or anniversaries, but celebrating 180 years of the New Straits Times is something else entirely. The exhilaration is hard to contain. Before the Internet, and during the formative years of this nation, the NST was an integral part of daily life. Its pages found their way into countless homes, delivering what we now call "trending news"... stories that sparked conversations, debates and gossip in living rooms, boardrooms and coffee shops across the country. The NST continues to publish, proudly standing as the country's oldest newspaper still in print. It has evolved with the times, from broadsheet to tabloid, black-and-white to colour and now, with a fully digital presence complemented by active social media engagement. In the era of the 24/7 news cycle, meeting public expectations for a physical newspaper is exhilarating and demanding. It's a world where deadlines reign supreme and the next big story is always just a news alert away. The newsroom is far from glamorous. Deadlines are relentless, the pressure to be fast and precise never lets up. And when mistakes happen, they play out in full view of the public. But the rewards are immense. Working in the NST newsroom comes with a rare sense of purpose, a front-row seat to history as it unfolds, moment by moment. The NST has played a vital role in nation-building, all the while navigating the challenges of addressing the sensitivities of Malaysia's diverse, multiracial communities. The NST has always been more than just headline news or a daily read. It has also been a tool to enhance English language skills in many homes. Here's to 180 remarkable years, and to many more still to be written.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- General
- New Straits Times
#NST180years: A place to grow and become change-makers
IN March 2013, as the Lahad Datu incursion was gripping the nation, I walked into the New Straits Times newsroom as an excited intern, ready to chase my dream. That very morning, I picked up the paper and read its exclusive front-page report — for the first time. In the afternoon, I read it again. That night, I brought it home and read it for the third time. That's because it wasn't just news that I read. It was storytelling at its finest. Two NST reporters were covering inside the "red zone", where bullets flew by and bombs shook the ground. In pursuing their story, they didn't just report — they also rescued a disabled woman abandoned in the chaos. The piece was so vivid, so compelling, that despite its length, I read every single word — and saw every scene playing out in my mind. I grew up in a semi-urban town, where speaking English felt awkward and was sometimes even frowned upon. When I was in secondary school, my father — a former temporary English teacher — grew concerned about my future. "How's this girl going to get a job? She doesn't read the papers, her general knowledge and English are weak," he used to grumble to my late mother. Years later, I joined the NST. And slowly, I grew up. My command of the language has improved — not just because I had to write, but because I was reading the newspaper every single day. Along the way, my general knowledge expanded too. Back in my hometown, people began turning to me for explanations, for my take on almost everything — and for the first time, I finally had something to say. The NST is more than just a newsroom — it's a classroom. It taught me to think critically, write with clarity and speak with conviction. It's where the young come to grow and become change-makers.
