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Borneo Post
30-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Tamu Desa to be expanded in Sarawak, says minister
Ewon speaks during the press conference at Pasar Sungai Apong in Kuching today. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (July 30): The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives is looking to expand its Tamu Desa initiative in Sarawak this year, with discussions to be held with the state government to determine priority areas and implementation mechanisms. Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the expansion follows positive feedback and the successful rollout of 39 projects across Sarawak in 2024, involving a total allocation of RM7.8 million. 'This year, we will hold discussions with the Sarawak government, specifically with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, to identify new locations and coordinate project implementation,' he told a press conference during a visit to the upgraded Pasar Sungai Apong here today. 'We've already received applications from four Sarawak Members of Parliament requesting that Tamu Desa projects be implemented in their respective constituencies, especially in rural and remote areas,' he added. The Tamu Desa initiative, introduced in 2024, is designed to upgrade, refurbish, or construct new community markets, particularly in underserved areas of Sabah and Sarawak. For 2025, the federal government has allocated a total of RM20 million under the national budget and an additional announcement made by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Madani Rakyat programme in Tawau last May. 'This year's funding is the same as last year – RM10 million through the 2025 Budget, and RM10 million more announced by the Prime Minister. We aim to ensure continued implementation of these projects in both Sarawak and Sabah,' Ewon said. While the initiative originally focused on rural areas, Ewon said Sarawak's approach last year included markets in urban centres and areas under local authorities such as municipal councils. 'In Sarawak, some of the projects involved existing markets like Pasar Sungai Apong. Based on our discussions last year, the state government felt there was also a need to upgrade existing market infrastructure, and I agree that this should continue,' he said. He added that before finalising new projects, the ministry would consult with the Deputy Premier to ensure alignment with state development plans and secure a list of proposed sites. When asked whether most of the proposed markets would be in rural or urban areas, Ewon said proposals have been received for both types of locations. 'The four MPs who submitted requests included locations in the interior. I believe these areas also deserve to be prioritised, but the final decision will come after discussion with the state government,' he said. Separately, Ewon said the ministry also held a consultation session today with Sarawak government representatives on the proposed amendments to the Cooperatives Act. The session included participation from senior Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives officials, the Malaysian Cooperative Commission, Sarawak Deputy Ministers, state assembly members, and civil servants. 'We presented the proposed provisions of the new Act, and Sarawak has submitted its views and suggestions. This is part of our nationwide engagement process. 'We aim to table the new Cooperatives Act for first reading in Parliament at the end of this year, followed by second and third readings in the March session next year,' he said. Ewon said the new Act will focus on strengthening cooperative operations and enhancing the role of the Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission as the main regulatory agency. Also present during the visit were Sarawak Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives secretary-general Dato Sri Khairul Dzaimee Daud; and Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng. Ewon Benedick expand Tamu Desa
Malaysiakini
21-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Audit report flags RM7.8b in army vehicle contracts over delays
The Auditor-General's Report has revealed significant weaknesses in the procurement management and administration of the army's armoured vehicle contracts, which could potentially expose the government to the risk of loss. According to the report tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today, there were contracts worth RM7.8 billion involving major armoured vehicles during the audit period from 2020 to 2023, namely Gempita, Pendekar, Adnan, Lipan Bara and MIFV.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Audit report exposes contract weaknesses in Malaysian Army vehicle deals
KUALA LUMPUR: The Auditor General's (AG) Report 2/2025 has uncovered critical flaws in the Malaysian Army's (TDM) procurement and contract management, raising concerns over national defence preparedness. The audit highlighted delays, unclaimed fines, and improper procurement practices involving RM7.8 billion worth of armoured vehicle contracts. Key findings from the report include a two-year delay in the delivery of 68 GEMPITA vehicles by a local contractor, resulting in an overdue fine of RM162.75 million. The government had already paid RM7.52 billion despite the contractor missing deadlines. Additionally, the RM53.93 million performance bond was insufficient to cover penalties. Maintenance and spare parts delays for GEMPITA, ADNAN, and PENDEKAR vehicles led to unenforced fines of RM1.42 million. The report also criticised small-batch procurement by Responsibility Centres (PTJs), bypassing open tender rules for purchases exceeding RM500,000. The Defence Ministry cited Movement Control Order (MCO) disruptions as a cause for delays, but auditors stressed that timely enforcement of penalties could have mitigated losses. The AG recommended structured contract timelines and centralised approvals for ad hoc procurements to reduce governance risks. – Bernama
New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Data centres push electricity demand to new high
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's power infrastructure sector is entering an upcycle, driven by surging electricity demand and a strong pipeline of new supply projects, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) said. The country recorded a peak power demand of 21,049 megawatts (MW) on May 28, 2025, a 10.4 per cent increase from a year earlier. HLIB attributed the jump to organic growth and higher load requirements, particularly from data centres, where utilisation reached 485MW in March compared with 148MW a year ago. "In response to the sharp rise in demand, the Energy Commission has called for tenders for new and existing gas-fired power capacities, scheduled for rollout between 2025 and 2029 to ensure a healthy reserve margin," it said in a note. At the same time, HLIB said renewable energy (RE) deployment remains a key policy focus, with national targets set at 31 per cent RE capacity by 2025 and 40 per cent by 2035. "Amid this backdrop of rising demand and a strong pipeline of new power supply, we see a compelling multi-year investment opportunity in the domestic power infrastructure space," it said. Over the current Regulatory Period 4 (RP4), HLIB estimates Tenaga Nasional Bhd will channel RM3 billion to RM3.5 billion annually from its base capital expenditure into grid infrastructure. It said this is expected to generate RM6.7 billion to RM7.8 billion worth of job opportunities in the transmission substation segment, benefiting mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering players. "Looking ahead, Tenaga's RM90 billion grid investment plan implies another RM47 billion could be deployed under RP5 (2028-2030), exceeding RP4's RM42.8 billion and this points toward sustained momentum in power infrastructure rollout. "We reckon listed power infrastructure players who have access to capital and economies of scale are prime beneficiaries," it said. Overall, given the robust project pipeline and rising infrastructure requirements, HLIB believes the sector has not yet reached its cyclical peak. "As such, we are Overweight on the power infrastructure sector. Our top picks are MN Holdings Bhd and Southern Cable Group Bhd, both key beneficiaries of grid expansion. "We also favour SMRT Holdings Bhd for its strategic involvement in the digitalisation of Malaysia's distribution substation," it added.
