Latest news with #PAS-led
Malaysiakini
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
LGBTQ+ folk face isolation, bullying amid PAS initiatives
Growing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric spurred by the recent signboard initiative in PAS-led states risks deepening self-censorship and social isolation within the community, cautioned rights group Justice for Sisters (JFS). JFS co-founder and researcher Thilaga Sulathireh asserts that the initiative, framed under the guise of morality, will only further marginalise the LGBTQ+ community and entrench fear in public discourse. She also anticipates a rise in...
Free Malaysia Today
05-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Delay targeted RON95 subsidies in view of US tariffs, says Hamzah
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin suggested the formation of a bipartisan special committee to discuss issues that have arisen following the US tariffs. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) has urged the government to delay the implementation of fiscal policy changes, including the targeted RON95 subsidies, in view of the US tariffs on Malaysian imports. Hamzah said changes to fiscal policies amid global economic uncertainty could put pressure on the economy and weaken business sentiment, which would in turn lead to consumers getting burdened by price hikes. 'I ask the government to consider delaying raising the price for RON95. The same goes for the hike in electricity tariffs in July and the expansion of the scope of the sales and service tax (SST). 'I also ask that the government postpone the purchase of 30 Boeing aircraft amid this economic uncertainty,' he said during the special parliamentary sitting on the tariffs here today. The rationalisation of RON95 petrol subsidies, originally planned for 2024, was postponed to mid-2025, drawing criticism from various quarters over a lack of clarity in its implementation mechanisms. In March, economy minister Rafizi Ramli said the government had yet to determine how eligibility for the targeted RON95 subsidies would be determined despite the Cabinet having reviewed four proposals. Hamzah, the Bersatu deputy president, also suggested that a special committee be formed to discuss issues that have arisen following the tariffs announced by the Donald Trump administration. He said this bipartisan committee should serve as a platform for both government and opposition MPs to present their views and suggestions. He agreed with Takiyuddin Hassan's (PN-Kota Bharu) suggestion that this committee should also include the leaders of the four PAS-led states. 'The government needs to be more open to forming such a committee because it involves national economic issues, which inadvertently means it involves all the state governments.' The US has announced a 24% tariff on most Malaysian goods as well as a range of tariffs on about 60 countries. The tariffs have been paused for 90 days to allow for trade negotiations. However, a 10% blanket duty on almost all US imports remains in place. Talks with the US are ongoing, focusing on reducing the 24% rate, non-tariff trade barriers and trade imbalance between the two nations.
Free Malaysia Today
03-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Rafizi dismisses call for Kelantan to collect own taxes
Economy minister Rafizi Ramli said there was no guarantee of prosperity if the Kelantan state government failed to provide an investment-friendly environment. PETALING JAYA : Economy minister Rafizi Ramli has dismissed a call by an MP from Kelantan to allow the PAS-led state government to collect taxes, suggesting it would not bring about the development it desired. In a social media post, Rafizi pointed to the water woes affecting the state, and the unfinished state of construction of an integrated bus terminal. He also wondered how much revenue Kelantan could amass and whether development-related issues would be resolved if the state was allowed autonomy in taxation, a power granted to the federal government under the constitution. Rafizi's remarks were in response to Pasir Putih MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh who made the demand for state power to collect taxes. The economy minister said the federal government collected revenue from taxes on business and individual incomes as well as from sales tax, which was related to a vibrant economy. He said there was no guarantee that the state could bring about prosperity if the state government failed to provide an investment-friendly environment, which would lead to job creation and high income. 'It would be better to focus on stimulating the economy instead of fanning sentiments that the federal government was victimising opposition-led states.'
Malay Mail
03-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Focus on jobs and investment rather than playing victim, Rafizi tells Perikatan as Kelantan wants direct taxation (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 – Perikatan Nasional's (PN) repeated claims that the Federal Government is sidelining opposition-led states like Kelantan are misleading, Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said today. Rafizi urged opposition parties to focus on driving economic growth through innovation and expertise instead of playing the victim. 'That is why it would be far more beneficial for us to compete by driving economic growth through expertise and innovation, rather than stoking sentiment by claiming that the Federal Government is victimising opposition-led states,' Rafizi posted on X here. Rafizi questioned whether Kelantan's potential tax revenue would be enough to support its development needs, particularly given that federal taxes are primarily derived from income and sales taxes tied to business activity. 'If the Kelantan government cannot create an investment-friendly climate with quality jobs, it is doubtful they could guarantee the people's wellbeing — even with full control of tax collection,' he said. He argued that development funding from the Federal Government currently covers many of Kelantan's needs, and that replicating this through state revenue alone would be difficult. Satu cara berkempen yang digunakan oleh PAS dan PN yang cukup berkesan ialah menuduh Kerajaan Persekutuan menganaktirikan kutip cukai dari rakyat negeri-negeri yang ditadbir, contohnya Kelantan, tetapi tidak dikembalikan sebagai peruntukan untuk pembangunan.... May 3, 2025 Rafizi pointed out that key infrastructure issues in the state, such as the stalled KB Sentral bus terminal and long-standing water supply problems, are unlikely to be solved without significant federal funding. He also said that allegations that taxes collected from Kelantan are not channelled back to the state for development are a political tactic used to incite dissatisfaction rather than offer solutions. 'The accusations have become so extreme that the Pasir Putih MP even challenged the Federal Government to allow Kelantan to collect its own taxes instead of sending them to Putrajaya. 'But would the state's development issues be resolved if Kelantan were to collect its own taxes?' he asked. Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said allocation to the PAS-led Kelantan has increased by 30 per cent to RM762 million last year compared to RM588 million in 2023. Meanwhile, the allocation to Terengganu also recorded a 28 per cent increase to RM2.02 billion last year from RM1.57 billion the previous year.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Focus on jobs and investment rather than playing victim, Rafizi tells Perikatan as Kelantan claims funding bias (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 – Perikatan Nasional's (PN) repeated claims that the Federal Government is sidelining opposition-led states like Kelantan are misleading, Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said today. Rafizi urged opposition parties to focus on driving economic growth through innovation and expertise instead of playing the victim. 'That is why it would be far more beneficial for us to compete by driving economic growth through expertise and innovation, rather than stoking sentiment by claiming that the Federal Government is victimising opposition-led states,' Rafizi posted on X here. Rafizi questioned whether Kelantan's potential tax revenue would be enough to support its development needs, particularly given that federal taxes are primarily derived from income and sales taxes tied to business activity. 'If the Kelantan government cannot create an investment-friendly climate with quality jobs, it is doubtful they could guarantee the people's wellbeing — even with full control of tax collection,' he said. He argued that development funding from the Federal Government currently covers many of Kelantan's needs, and that replicating this through state revenue alone would be difficult. Satu cara berkempen yang digunakan oleh PAS dan PN yang cukup berkesan ialah menuduh Kerajaan Persekutuan menganaktirikan kutip cukai dari rakyat negeri-negeri yang ditadbir, contohnya Kelantan, tetapi tidak dikembalikan sebagai peruntukan untuk pembangunan.... — Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) May 3, 2025 Rafizi pointed out that key infrastructure issues in the state, such as the stalled KB Sentral bus terminal and long-standing water supply problems, are unlikely to be solved without significant federal funding. He also said that allegations that taxes collected from Kelantan are not channelled back to the state for development are a political tactic used to incite dissatisfaction rather than offer solutions. 'The accusations have become so extreme that the Pasir Putih MP even challenged the Federal Government to allow Kelantan to collect its own taxes instead of sending them to Putrajaya. 'But would the state's development issues be resolved if Kelantan were to collect its own taxes?' he asked. Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said allocation to the PAS-led Kelantan has increased by 30 per cent to RM762 million last year compared to RM588 million in 2023. Meanwhile, the allocation to Terengganu also recorded a 28 per cent increase to RM2.02 billion last year from RM1.57 billion the previous year.
