Latest news with #RM300mil
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Jualan Rahmah Madani initiative to be enhanced, says PM
PETALING JAYA: The Jualan Rahmah Madani initiative will be enhanced to assist the public in managing living costs, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In a televised address as an "extraordinary tribute" to Malaysians, the Prime Minister announced that the government will double the initiative's allocation from RM300mil to RM600mil. This funding will increase the frequency and expand the Jualan Rahmah Madani to include all 600 state assembly constituencies nationwide, said Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister. "The additional allocation will, among others, increase the frequency and expand the number of locations nationwide, covering all 600 state constituencies. "It will also broaden the variety of goods offered, giving the people a wider range of choices," he added.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
DCP Mohd Zaini appointed acting Selangor police chief
SHAH ALAM: Selangor deputy police chief Deputy Comm Mohd Zaini Abu Hassan has been appointed as the acting state police chief, effective Saturday (July 19). He succeeds Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, who will assume his new role as director of the Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) on July 21. The handover-of-duties ceremony took place at Dewan D'Cerana at the Selangor contingent police headquarters, and was witnessed by Royal Malaysia Police management department director, Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Majid. In his speech, Comm Hussein expressed gratitude to the police leadership for their trust and support during his two years and five months at the helm, highlighting key achievements, such as a 12% reduction in the crime index last year and the successful foiling of major drug smuggling attempts, involving seizures worth hundreds of millions of ringgit. He said that, between 2023 and 2024, Selangor police seized over 10 tonnes of drugs, worth RM300mil, a move which prevented the narcotics from reaching more than 21 million potential users. "The Selangor contingent recorded 22,000 arrests in 2023, a figure which rose to 40,000 in 2024. Meanwhile, the state Commercial Crime Investigation Department opened investigation papers on 7,115 cases in 2023, involving losses of RM510mil, compared with 7,731 cases in 2024, with losses amounting to RM680mil," he said. Comm Hussein added that traffic enforcement issued 1.06 million summonses in 2023, generating RM135.7mil in collections, while in 2024, 1.13 million summonses were issued, with collections totalling RM128mil. He said that these achievements reflect the unwavering dedication and teamwork of every officer, personnel, and civil servant, who formed the backbone of the force's success. - Bernama
The Star
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Melaka forms special task force to tackle traffic congestion
MELAKA: The state has formed a special task force to tackle traffic congestion and improve driving experience, says Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. The Melaka Chief Minister said the task force brings together technical experts and enforcement agencies to coordinate traffic management strategies and address bottlenecking at key locations. "This move reflects our commitment to addressing public concerns about congestion and to efficiently serve the people," he said after launching a new 3km link road connecting Serkam and Bemban in Jasin here on Thursday (July 3). Ab Rauf also announced that the Federal Government had given the green light to nine major road projects and upgrades, now at various stages of implementation. Among the projects, he said, are the RM300mil upgrade of Jalan Tun Hamzah from the JPJ junction to Semabok, scheduled to begin in December 2025; an RM181mil elevated and direct U-turn linking Pulau Gadong to Taman Cheng; a new RM125mil road from Kuala Linggi to Ayer Molek in Masjid Tanah, set to commence in March 2026 and a RM35.2mil road from the Rim junction to Kampung Ulu Jasin, slated for completion by August 2025. On the Serkam-Bemban link, Ab Rauf said that the dual-lane road was proposed in 2021 and completed ahead of schedule. "This link not only shortens the journey, it boosts accessibility, supports economic activity and enhances the well-being of communities," he said.
The Star
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
220 agri projects approved nationwide under land usage scheme
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 220 projects have been approved under the Land Use Optimisation Programme in collaboration with state governments nationwide last year and this year, as of May 30. The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said the projects encompass crop cultivation, livestock, fisheries, agro-tourism, and capacity-building for farmers, planters, fishermen and breeders. ALSO READ: Malaysia's food security at risk "Through Budget 2025, the Federal Government has allocated RM300mil to execute various agricultural development initiatives in partnership with state governments. "This programme includes improving, upgrading and carrying out agricultural activities on land which is under the joint jurisdiction of state governments and the ministry,' it said in a statement on Friday (June 20). The matter was announced at the first meeting of the Agriculture and Food Security Minister with state agriculture executive councillors for this year in Putrajaya on Thursday (June 19). The meeting also discussed a proposal for the official handover of 51 National Satellite Farm complexes built by the Veterinary Services Department using federal funds on state-owned land in Negri Sembilan, Johor and Perak. ALSO READ: Food security game-changer: Malaysia entering cultured meat revolution "This move aims to streamline the leasing and maintenance of immovable assets by the respective state authorities in a lawful and organised manner. "The meeting agreed that the handover would resolve issues of unclear asset ownership and enable state governments to manage and maintain the assets more systematically, ensuring the continuity of livestock operations and optimal use of existing infrastructure,' the statement read. Meanwhile, on the role of state executive councillors addressing "grey areas" in rice bowl zones, one of the proposals raised was to transfer assets with unclear ownership to the state or district Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID), to ensure more efficient and effective padi field irrigation management. "This effort is expected to resolve overlapping responsibilities between the Integrated Agriculture Development Area and DID, thereby streamlining infrastructure management and boosting national padi production,' the statement added. ALSO READ: Ensuring food security in face of climate change Meanwhile, state governments are encouraged to leverage data from the 2024 Interim Agricultural Census and the Integrated Agricultural Statistics System (TaniStats) to formulate more focused and high-impact policies, strategies and development plans for the agri-food sector at the state level, it said. "The meeting also noted the urgent need for strategic action to address cross-border livestock smuggling along the Malaysia-Thailand border, to safeguard the sector from disease threats and ensure its continued competitiveness,' the statement read. The meeting was a platform for policy coordination, information sharing and aligning commitments between the Federal and state governments to drive a more integrated agri-food development agenda. – Bernama
The Star
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Healthcare sector revenue to continue rising in 2H
Private healthcare operators are less affected by the recently announced imposition 6% sales tax. PETALING JAYA: The earnings momentum for private healthcare, health supplements and pharmaceuticals providers will continue into the second half of this year (2H25) as demand for such services and goods keep rising. Private healthcare operators are also less affected by the recently announced imposition 6% sales tax. Kenanga Research said both IHH Healthcare Bhd 's Malaysian operations and KPJ Healthcare Bhd have manageable medical tourism revenue of around 5% to 7% to help offset the impact of the tax. The research house, which has an 'overweight' call on the sector, said, generally, private healthcare players recorded mixed results in first quarter of this year (1Q25). It said IHH's revenue intensity will continue to improve, driven by higher patient throughput, both from its domestic and international markets. Meanwhile, KPJ Healthcare has guided for narrower losses in its hospitals that are undergoing expansion, although the quantum of improvement appears smaller. The group is optimistic about earnings gaining momentum in 2H25 supported by better operational efficiencies stemming from ongoing cost optimisation efforts. In terms of price-earnings (PE) valuation, KPJ is trading at 36 times this year's forecast earnings and 31 times for next year, compared with Thailand's Bumrumgrad Hospital and Bangkok Dusit at PEs of 17 times and 20 times, respectively. Beyond this year, KPJ will add 800 beds, bringing its total to 5,200, largely via brownfield expansion. With capital expenditure of between RM300mil and RM400mil this year, the group is looking at merger and acquisition opportunities for future growth. It is also looking at acquiring yield accretive hospitals or assets that are complimentary to its core business for future growth. In pharmaceuticals, Kenanga Research said Duopharma Biotech Bhd is expecting strong orders from the of Health Ministry this year. The research house said Duopharma's management expects sales to the public sector in the second quarter to account for 55% to 60% of its top line and also higher private-sector contributions, compared with 47% to 50% historically. Kenanga Research also said it likes Kotra Industries Bhd for its integrated business model encompassing the entire spectrum of the pharmaceutical value chain, from research and development, product conceptualisation to manufacturing and sales. Kotra manufactures and sells over-the-counter supplements and nutritional and pharmaceutical products under household brands such as Appeton, Axcel and Vaxcel. The company also enjoys superior margins in its original-brand manufacturing business model versus low-margin contract manufacturing. Elsewhere, Nova Wellness Group Bhd 's slow ramp-up of production at its new plant will likely drag top line contribution and hit margins due to worse-than-expected economies of scale. Its earnings growth is driven by capacity expansion, a widening distribution network and penetration into local public hospitals, Kenanga Research added.
