Latest news with #PakatanHarapan
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
'Petrol price reduction shows govt has kept its promise'
KOTA BARU: The reduction in petrol price will silence critics who previously accused the PH-led government of breaking its long-standing promise to lower the prices of fuel. Kelantan Pakatan Harapan women's chief Dr Hafidzah Mustakim said the announcement of a package to relieve the rising cost of living by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reflected a serious and people-centric approach in delivering direct subsidies to those in need. "The prime minister has fulfilled his word. This shows the government listens and takes real action, not empty promises," she added. She also said the decision to double the allocation for Rahmah Sales from RM300 million to RM600 million was a clear demonstration of the Madani government's commitment to easing the people's burden, especially when essential items were becoming expensive. "This increase means more frequent Rahmah Sales, which are often referred to locally as 'Kedai Cari Rakyat'. Previously, each state constituency held four sales monthly. "With this boost, the programme can be carried out even more regularly, especially in rural areas where they are most needed," she said. Dr Hafidzah, who is Kota Lama assemblyman, described today's announcement as a milestone in government aid delivery, showcasing a deep concern for public well-being. "The RM100 one-off assistance for all Malaysians aged 18 and above also proves this government is fair and inclusive. No one is left behind," she said when met at her office.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
RON95 at RM1.99 per litre under targeted subsidies, says PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the lower RON95 price of RM1.99 per litre will benefit around 18 million car and motorcycle users. PETALING JAYA : Malaysians will enjoy a lower RON95 price of RM1.99 per litre once the targeted subsidies come into effect, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In an announcement live-streamed on Facebook today, he said this would benefit around 18 million car and motorcycle users, including 'youths as young as 16 and gig workers'. He apologised for the delay in rolling out the targeted subsidies, saying this was due to the nation's high debts and the weakening economy. 'Before the end of September, I will ensure the implementation of the rate's reduction to RM1.99 per litre. 'This is quite a sharp drop, and involves increased cost to the government. However, this approach is in line with the government's efforts to optimise national resources for public benefit and reduce subsidy wastage,' he said. Anwar said the new rate of RM1.99 was only for Malaysians with MyKads, and that foreigners would have to pay the full unsubsidised rate. His announcement came days after government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said Putrajaya had pushed back the deadline for the rollout of targeted RON95 subsidies, initially fixed for the second half of the year. On Monday, he said more time was needed to fine-tune the mechanism to prevent leakage, and that Anwar had informed MPs from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan of the matter. Anwar said the government would also postpone the increase in highway toll rates initially set to affect 10 highways this year. 'Toll rates were projected to increase this year according to an old agreement between the companies and a previous administration. 'However, the government has agreed not to implement the increase this year, and the government will bear RM500 million in costs to maintain the toll rates,' he said. The highways involved are the Cheras-Kajang Highway, KL-Kuala Selangor Highway, New North Klang Straits Bypass, Senai-Desaru Expressway, East Coast Expressway 2, South Klang Valley Expressway, Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway, Maju Expressway and Butterworth Outer Ring Road.
Focus Malaysia
10 hours ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
A quick glance at what PMX's 'extraordinary appreciation for Malaysians' package' entails
LOOKING beyond financial assistance for the poor and hardcore poor, below are what Malaysians at large can look forward to from the 'extraordinary appreciation' package unveiled by Prime Minister earlier today (July 23): RON95 drops 5 sen from RM2.05 to RM2.00: One can save RM2 every time for filling up 40 litres. Pending the fuel rationalisation plan to be announced by the end-September 2025, around 18 million Malaysian car drivers and motorcyclists can look forward to RON95 price of RM1.99/ litre. In 2023 and 2024, the money the government has spent on RON95 subsidy alone was estimated to have cost nearly RM20 bil annually. Although world oil prices have declined this year, the price of RON 95 petrol without subsidy still hovers around RM2.50/litre which is far higher than the subsidised price people were paying. RM100 credit via MyKad for every citizen aged 18 and above: This is higher than the RM30 e-wallet during the time of Pakatan Harapan (PH) 1.0 administration under the then finance minister Lim Guan Eng. Even business tycoon such as Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun or Tan Sri Francis Yeoh are entitled to the RM100 disbursement between Aug 31 and Dec 31 to purchase essential goods at over 4,100 outlets nationwide, including major supermarkets such as Mydin, Lotus's, Econsave and 99 Speedmart as well as retail stores in all districts. This RM100 e-wallet assistance will cost the government RM2.2 bil which is less than half of the RM5 bil that was just borrowed yesterday. This brings the government's net borrowings for 8M 2025 to RM81.28 bil which has already surpassed the RM80 bil borrowing limit set in Budget 2025. As of today, the government's total new debt has reached RM81.2 bil with an increase of RM256.21 bil in just 32 months of the Madani administration (since November 2022). Additional public holiday on Sept 15 in conjunction with Malaysia Day on September 1 to boost national unity. No toll increases for 10 highways: The government will bear over RM500 mil a year to ensure this happens.– July 23, 2025
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Selangor parking scheme acceptable if public interests protected, says MP
KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Intelligent Parking (SIP) system can gain support provided the interests of local councils and residents are protected, says a Pakatan Harapan member of Parliament. At a joint press conference with three other MPs from Selangor, Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof said the initiative must not lead to a loss of revenue for local authorities. Azli said in previous privatisation exercises, discrepancies were found between the financial reports submitted by concessionaires and actual collections by local authorities. Such a mismatch of data led to concerns of revenue leakage and underlined the importance of transparency. "The number of parking bays is steadily increasing, and with claims that the new system will utilise the latest technology and more efficient mechanisms, the revenue collected by councils should either increase or, at the very least, remain the same. "As such, I believe the public can accept the initiative, provided there are firm guarantees and contractual terms that ensure public service interests are not compromised." Also present were Subang MP Wong Chen, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung and Selayang MP William Leong. The Selangor government is in the final stages of formalising the SIP agreement. The tripartite agreement will involve Selangor local authorities, state-owned Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd, and a private firm, which will invest RM200 million to develop the infrastructure. This includes the installation of about 1,800 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in high-traffic parking areas within four participating local authorities in PJ, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, and Selayang. Meanwhile, Lee said that while PH supported digitalisation efforts, their concern lay in the implementation of the initiative. "We do not reject the initiative to make our cities smarter. Automation and the use of technology to improve the quality of life for the people of Selangor must remain a priority," he said, when asked about the implementation of smart parking systems in other states like Johor. In Johor, seven local councils have adopted such systems, resulting in better public compliance and revenue collection. "Selangor has also been at the forefront in this area, with extensive use of CCTV systems and various initiatives under the Smart Selangor Delivery Unit." "What we're questioning is why this project didn't go through the local authorities, which by law are responsible for such matters," he said. Meanwhile, Wong said under the current structure, a private entity would collect 50 per cent of parking revenue, while only 10 per cent would go to Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) and the remaining 40 per cent to the local authorities. He said he believed the state government could manage and implement such projects without involving private companies. Wong said greater transparency would allow for a more precise estimation of revenue and that the initiative's rollout should be postponed until relevant data is shared. "Let us assess it first, then we can determine whether the programme is feasible in terms of profitability and accountability," he said.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
PH MPs demand review of Selangor parking scheme
The new parking scheme is set to be launched on Aug 1. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : The Pakatan Harapan parliamentarians representing the four constituencies involved in a proposed public car park privatisation scheme have urged the Selangor government to form an independent bipartisan committee to review the proposal. In a statement, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, Subang MP Wong Chen, Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof and Selayang MP William Leong said the committee should comprise elected representatives from Petaling Jaya, Selayang, Shah Alam and Subang, as well as relevant experts and civil society organisations. They also said the review should prioritise the needs of the communities they represent and the local councils involved, stressing that they were 'especially troubled' by the apparent prioritisation of private interests over the rights and welfare of their constituents and the local councils. The lawmakers also called for the scheme's Aug 1 launch to be postponed and for its commercial terms to be disclosed, including the projected profitability for the private company involved, state government investment arm Menteri Besar Incorporated, and the four local councils. They said that based on the limited information disclosed so far, the proposed privatisation of the Smart Intelligent Parking (SIP) system raised legal, commercial, and operational concerns. They also said the current revenue-sharing arrangement appeared 'unbalanced' and required further detailed disclosure. 'This call is made to ensure that PH's commitment to transparency and accountability is upheld in all matters of government contracts, including privatisation schemes – especially within our own PH-led state governments,' they said. They also said the state government's approach to privatise public parking lots in pursuit of higher revenue was not in line with the primary objective and function of local councils, which is to deliver 'democratic governance' and essential services to their communities. 'In this context, the role of local councils in managing public parking is to optimise parking use for the benefit of residents, businesses, and visitors by making parking accessible, easing congestion, and improving traffic flow. 'Residents and businesses already pay assessments and local taxes. The councils are therefore obligated to support local commerce and community vibrancy through convenient and affordable parking. 'The goal should not be profit maximisation but service to the public.' The parliamentarians also asked the state government and local councils to clarify whether the scheme received ministerial approval. They said this was because public parking lots fell under the jurisdiction of the transport ministry through the Road Transport Act 1987, which empowered local councils to manage and collect parking fees with the minister's approval. They said that the Act, and the relevant gazette orders, did not permit the privatisation of parking management or fee collection by local councils without ministerial approval. According to state executive councillor Ng Suee Lim, the concession for a 'smart parking system' covering collections of parking fees and enforcement would involve local councils, state-owned Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd and a private company. Ng said enforcement would be carried out by local council officers, with Rantaian Mesra to act as a system coordinator. The private company, which has yet to be appointed, will handle the four local councils' daily parking operations. He said Rantaian Mesra and the other company are expected to invest around RM200 million to develop the infrastructure for the smart parking system.
