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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Infomina's FY25 earnings fall nearly 36pct, revenue drops nearly 13pct
KUALA LUMPUR: Infomina Bhd posted a weaker earnings in the financial year ended May 31 2025 (FY25). This was primarily due to lower revenue contribution from its design and delivery of technology infrastructure solutions segment, as well as a RM10 million provision for doubtful debts, Infomina said. The company's net profit for the financial year ended May 31, 2025 fell 36 per cent to RM21 million from RM33 million a year ago. Revenue of the technology solutions provider dropped 12.6 per cent to RM196.7 million from RM225 million previously. For the fourth quarter, Infomina reported RM53.4 million revenue and a net loss of RM3.1 million. Its chief executive officer cum managing director Yee Chee Meng said the headline profitability in FY25 was affected by a non-cash provision and foreign exchange losses. Yee said the company recorded improved margins, with revenue just under RM200 million and normalised pre-tax profit of RM40.4 million. Infomina paid its maiden dividend of 1.2 sen per share, reflecting its strong operating cash flow and sound fundamentals. "We are encouraged by the positive progress in Japan, where our local team continues to gain traction with key clients. "We believe Japan has the potential to become Infomina's largest overseas market in the coming years," he said in a statement. Yee added that contracts across Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan continue to support its recurring income base and enhance earnings visibility. Beyond core mainframe software business, he said the company is making steady progress in developing artificial intelligence capabilities through Infomina AI Sdn Bhd. The company secured two collaborations recently, which represent important pillars for expansion into fintech, proptech and data services. He said the traction seen in both API and AI-driven solutions reinforces its confidence in the long-term scalability of this segment.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Many pilgrims decline Haj subsidy as awareness grows
KUALA LUMPUR: The number of Malaysian pilgrims opting out of Haj subsidies has risen over the past two years, reflecting increased awareness of financial readiness as a key requirement for the pilgrimage. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar revealed the trend in Parliament today, noting a decline in subsidy uptake among B40 and M40 groups. 'Tabung Haji (TH) is making efforts to explain to Muslims the link between Haj and the condition of affordability. 'Beginning in 2022, the subsidies provided by TH to B40 and M40 pilgrims have been decreasing... this is an effort to educate Muslims on the obligation of Haj,' he said. A total of 396 pilgrims declined subsidies in 2023, followed by 263 in 2024. Mohd Na'im attributed this shift to a growing understanding that performing Haj should only be undertaken when financially capable. The trend has also benefited TH's financial health, with dividend payouts rising to 3.25 per cent last year. On Haj costs and quotas, Mohd Na'im confirmed no price increase for Muassasah pilgrims this year, with fees remaining at RM33,300 per person. Malaysia's official Haj quota, set at 31,600 annually by Saudi Arabia, has been fully utilised from 2020 to 2025. However, in 2022, pandemic restrictions reduced the quota to 14,306 pilgrims. - Bernama
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Many Pilgrims Opt To Decline Haj Subsidy – Mohd Na'im
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) – The provision of Haj subsidies for B40 and M40 groups has shown a decline over the past two years, as many pilgrims have voluntarily chosen to reject the assistance, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the rejection stemmed from the growing awareness among Muslims that performing the fifth Pillar of Islam must be based on financial ability. 'Tabung Haji (TH) is making efforts to explain to Muslims the link between Haj and the condition of affordability. Beginning in 2022, the subsidies provided by TH to B40 and M40 pilgrims have been decreasing... this is an effort to educate Muslims on the obligation of Haj. '... a total of 396 (in 2023) and 263 (in 2024) voluntarily rejected the assistance... they did not wish to accept any form of subsidy or Haj aid provided,' he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) on the suggestion of channelling TH's profit returns as subsidised assistance to pilgrims in need. Mohd Na'im said the rejection of subsidies also had a positive impact on TH's financial performance, with its dividend distribution rising to 3.25 per cent last year. Answering Ahmad Marzuk's original question regarding the increase in costs and the Haj quota, he said there has been no rise in Haj cost for Muassasah pilgrims this year, with the amount remaining the same as last year at RM33,300 per pilgrim. As for the Haj quota, he said there were no unused official Haj quotas for the period from 2020 to 2025. 'The official annual Haj quota allocated by the Saudi Arabian government is 31,600, based on a resolution by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which stipulates one per cent of a country's Muslim population.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's haj quota unchanged, no cost increase for 2025, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: No additional haj quota was granted by the Saudi government to any country, including Malaysia, for this year's pilgrimage season, the Dewan Rakyat heard today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the additional quota had only been provided to Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) during the previous year and had been fully utilised, including by authorised haj organisers. Na'im also said that no Malaysian official haj quota has gone unused from 2020 up to this year. "The official annual haj quota allocated by the Saudi government to Malaysia is 31,600 pilgrims. "This is based on the decision by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which sets the quota at 0.1 per cent of a country's Muslim population. "Meanwhile, there is no increase in haj costs for the year 2025, with the amount remaining the same as the previous year at RM33,300," he said during the question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. Na'im said this in response to Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), who enquired on the justification for the increase in haj costs for 2025, the status of TH investments, and the number of unused haj quotas allocated to Malaysia from 2020 to 2025. Commenting further, Na'im said TH's 3.25 per cent profit distribution for the 2024 financial year, the highest in the past seven years, was due to pilgrims voluntarily rejecting haj financial aid. He added that 263 pilgrims declined the haj subsidy last year, while 396 rejected it in 2023. "As a result, we received a relatively higher dividend for last year, due to both the returns on investment and the savings from the rejected haj subsidies," he said. Na'im added that the government is also exploring a proposal to place matters relating to umrah under the jurisdiction of TH instead of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) to curb fraudulent agents offering fake umrah packages, though he does not view it as a major issue. He said this in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) regarding the need to curb fraudulent agents offering fake haj packages, which recently led to 47 pilgrims being stranded. Na'im also said the government has established a special committee involving the police, TH and Motac, aimed at preventing any individual or company from arranging haj trips without proper permits. "As for the question of whether umrah falls under the jurisdiction of Motac or TH, I do not see it as an issue. "While we are discussing the best way forward, including the possibility of placing umrah under TH, that is something we can explore further in discussions with Motac, but what is more pressing is the awareness of the public. "If we receive credible information, we can act to stop such attempts. However, in the case of the 47 stranded pilgrims, we were unable to stop them because they were travelling to other countries. "That group appeared to be on holiday to countries like Turkiye or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and from there, proceeded to Makkah to perform the haj," he said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Singaporean teen's home yields 54 vape pods after Grab car incident
A 16-year-old boy was found with 54 electronic cigarette pods and three vaping devices at his home, some containing a controlled anaesthetic substance, following reports that he was vaping in a private-hire vehicle. These were among the cases involving vaping instances reported by the Singaporean authorites in its statement issued, yesterday. According to Health Sciences Authority (HSA), it conducted the raid on May 22 after the teenager and another 16-year-old were caught allegedly vaping in a car travelling along Bukit Timah Expressway on May 18. The vehicle's driver reported the incident to Traffic Police, who seized two e-vaporisers from one of the boys at the scene. Laboratory tests revealed that some of the confiscated pods contained etomidate, a potent substance used as an anaesthetic that can cause addiction and physical dependence. Possession of pods containing etomidate carries penalties of up to two years imprisonment and fines up to S$10,000 (RM33,000) under the Poisons Act. A search of the second teenager's residence yielded no vaping materials. Both boys are currently assisting HSA investigations. Major distributor caught with nearly three tonnes The case forms part of HSA's intensified enforcement efforts, which recently netted a significant distributor operation. On July 11, authorities arrested a 21-year-old man allegedly distributing e-vaporisers and components in Bishan and Ubi areas. Raids uncovered almost three tonnes of vaping products. The suspect was charged in court on July 14 July, with the case adjourned to August 11. Social media evidence leads to multiple arrests Two additional cases emerged through social media surveillance. A 24-year-old man was identified after footage showed him vaping in a Sim Lim Square lift on April 30. HSA raided his residence on May 16, seizing two devices. In another incident, a 58-year-old man was filmed sitting on a road holding a vaping device on May 19, appearing unable to walk independently and shaking uncontrollably. Though no devices were found during the subsequent raid, the man admitted to vaping and received a composition fine. Enhanced reporting system launched HSA announced expanded enforcement capabilities following a surge in public reports. The authority received over 3,000 vaping-related reports in 2024 and more than 2,500 in the first half of 2025. From July 21 (Monday), the Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline (6684 2036 or 6684 2037) will operate daily from 9am to 9pm, including weekends and public holidays. A new online reporting platform has also launched at 'Through public feedback and social media postings, HSA was able to use them as an additional source of surveillance data to intensify our enforcement activities,' the authority stated. Strict penalties in force Singapore prohibits the purchase, possession, and use of e-vaporisers under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, with fines up to $2,000 for offenders. Distribution and sale carry harsher penalties: up to $10,000 fine or six months imprisonment for first offences, rising to $20,000 fine or 12 months imprisonment for repeat violations. HSA emphasised that all seized devices suspected of containing illegal substances undergo testing, with offenders facing additional charges under relevant legislation.
