Latest news with #RM76
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
FBM KLCI holds steady as selective buying supports market
KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI held firm through the morning session, supported by selective buying interest amid cautious sentiment and ongoing US-China trade uncertainty. The FBM KLCI gained traction through the morning session, rising 2.08 points, or 0.14%, to 1,521.49 at the midday break after touching an intra-morning high of 1,522.30. Winners and losers were closely balanced, with 384 gainers against 382 losers and 466 that were flat. Volume was 1.8 billion shares, valued at RM883.3mil. Hong Leong Investment Bank Research said the FBM KLCI may continue to trend sideways with an upward bias, following a positive phone call between Trump and Xi last week and the start of the second round of US-China trade talks, which are set to continue for a second day in London today. That said, sentiment remains cautious amid foreign outflows, uncertainty over the US-Malaysia tariff deal, and June's typically weak performance. Global trade concerns, economic headwinds, and potential local subsidy cuts in 2H25 also weigh on the outlook. Meanwhile, Malacca Securities expects the local bourse to trade softer, with investors focusing on fundamentally strong companies for buying opportunities. 'We favour Inta Bina, supported by its strong ties to major developers like Gamuda. Meanwhile, as the market factors a rate-cut environment, REITs could attract interest due to their healthy yields of over ~4%. 'We believe Sunway REIT presents a decent opportunity, in view of the recent breakout and its uptrend intact share price movements,' it said. Malaysian Pacific Industries led the gainers, rising 32 sen to RM21.22, followed by Nestle, which climbed 26 sen to RM76. Heineken added 18 sen to RM26.98, while PPB Group gained 10 sen to RM11.08. On the downside, Ayer slid 40 sen to RM7.20, Hong Leong Bank dropped 18 sen to RM19.52, Southern Acids lost 17 sen to RM2.93, and SHL Consolidated eased nine sen to RM2.15. Newly listed Paradigm-REIT edged up one sen, or 1%, to RM1.01 with 26.51 million shares traded, making it one of the most active counters on Bursa Malaysia.
Focus Malaysia
6 days ago
- General
- Focus Malaysia
From ironed uniforms to flexible work: Bridging Malaysia's generational gap
I GREW up watching the hardest-working people I've ever known—my parents—build their lives with discipline, thrift, and remarkable resilience. They didn't talk much about sacrifice. They lived it. One of my fondest memories from childhood is the scent of spray starch on my father's army uniform, particularly his No. 3 work dress, a light olive-green ensemble worn for daily duties. Every morning, he'd iron it with military precision: sharp creases and clean lines. The scent of starch filled the air. It was oddly soothing. It signalled structure (pun intended, as my father served in the Royal Signal Regiment), responsibility, and a quiet pride in serving something bigger than oneself. Back then, hard work meant stability. Stability meant progress. That equation, however, doesn't carry the same weight today. When we overlook how the economic and social landscape has shifted, we risk misreading a fundamental change in values. We all grew up in different Malaysias My parents never asked for much. When my father retired from the military after 21 years, in a career he often summed up with quiet conviction as 'Mati hidup balik sekalipun, aku tetap jadi askar', he did so without much fanfare. They simply packed up their belongings, left the army quarters and returned to their hometown where they bought their first home—a modest single-storey terrace house paid for with his equally modest pension. Raising six children, they supplemented their income through long hours and hard labour. At the time, government pensions, community support, and frugality were enough to support a family of eight. But the Malaysia they lived in is no longer the one young people face today. Despite holding degrees and full-time jobs, many young Malaysians (the writer included) continue to struggle with home ownership, job security, and the rising cost of living. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the median household income in 2022 was RM6,338 per month, or roughly RM76,056 per year. Based on the global housing affordability benchmark, where a home should cost no more than three times the annual household income, a reasonably priced home in Malaysia should be around RM228,000. In contrast, data from the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) shows that the Malaysian House Price Index for the first quarter of 2025 stood at 225.3 points, with the average house price at RM486,070—more than double the affordable range. Behind these figures are personal struggles and difficult choices. These are not just economic pressures, they are deeply human. This isn't entitlement. It's adaptation. Different priorities, same worth The generation that built Malaysia's early economy placed immense value on order, loyalty, and seniority. In their time, these values aligned with a world where playing by the rules led to security. Today, that promise may no longer holds. Even those who follow the 'rules', i.e., get a degree, secure a job, work hard, may still find themselves struggling. As a result, today's generation places greater emphasis on mental health, work-life balance, and meaningful engagement. They speak openly about burnout and push back against outdated norms that equate long hours with dedication. They seek dignity, not just stability. Purpose, not just pay checks. This isn't a moral failing, but a reflection of a changing world. In Islamic economic principles, fairness ('adl), compassion (ihsan), and balance is key to a just society. When times change, justice requires systems to adapt. What some may view as a lack of resilience is often structural strain, not individual weakness. Shifting values don't signal decline: they reflect reality. From blame to building Malaysia is ageing. By 2030, 15% of our population will be over the age of 60. At the same time, younger generations i.e., Gen Z and Gen Alpha will dominate the workforce. Without mutual understanding, our social cohesion and economic vitality are at risk. Different generations have different concerns. In the workplace, older Malaysians value punctuality and tenure. Meanwhile, the younger ones seek autonomy and flexibility. National planning must evolve with the times. Our education, employment, and welfare systems need to reflect current realities, not just inherited assumptions. For instance, Malaysia could introduce a centralised 'portable benefits wallet' for gig workers, where contributions to retirement savings, healthcare, and social protection follow the worker—not the employer. This model, already being piloted in the US and parts of Europe, ensures that contract and gig workers are not left behind in an economy where job security is no longer guaranteed. Similarly, a Housing Start-Up Account for youth under 35, where the government matches a portion of savings—such as RM1 for every RM2 saved annually—could help first-time homebuyers overcome affordability barriers. This approach, inspired by Singapore's CPF model, would encourage long-term financial planning while making home ownership more attainable. These kinds of forward-looking policies recognise that fairness looks different across generations. And, therefore, so does respect. – June 3, 2025 Dr Mohd Zaidi Md Zabri is the Interim Director at the Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation for Islamic Economics (i-RISE), ISRA Institute, INCEIF University. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: The Borneo Post
Daily Express
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
‘My duty as rep to defend Sabahans'
'My duty as rep to defend Sabahans' Kota Kinabalu: Warisan Vice President Datuk Junz Wong said his recent remarks on the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) regulation were grounded in Sabahan grassroots' concerns and not driven by political motives. He said it is his responsibility as an assemblyman to speak up for his constituents, particularly when they face difficulties arising from policies implemented by the relevant ministry. Advertisement 'My questions were directed to you because you are the relevant Minister, a Sabahan, and also a GRS leader. Naturally, I expect you to understand the high cost of living that Sabahans face,' said Wong, in response to criticism from Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. Wong said his mention of the GRS government was directly linked to Armizan's role within it. SPONSORED CONTENT 'In this case, it's about the 'removal' of subsidised LPG for small businesses. If even raising Sabahans' concerns is labelled as politically motivated, are we saying elected reps should stay silent? he said. On Armizan's statement that the regulation was based on a 2021 amendment under the previous administration, Wong questioned the timing of its enforcement. Advertisement 'If this law has existed since 2021, why enforce it only now? And why wasn't there a public explanation before enforcement began?' Wong said the central concern was about small food vendors now being required to apply for permits if they store more than 42kg of LPG at any given time. Advertisement Let's apply simple logic. Are you saying small vendors only use three 14kg cylinders per month? 'That's hardly enough for any business. This isn't about big players, it's about our hawkers, kopitiams and local food stalls,' he said. He questioned whether the policy applied only to storage above 42kg at one time, or total usage over a month, and asked what would happen to vendors who exceed that limit, whether they would be forced to switch to unsubsidised cylinders priced at RM76. Wong warned that such enforcement could compel vendors to increase their prices, further burdening consumers. 'Sabahans can't afford another round of price hikes. If the cost of LPG rises from RM26.60 to RM76 per cylinder for vendors, how can they maintain current food prices? In the end, it's the people who suffer,' he cautioned. He urged the Ministry to engage constructively and find a fair solution.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Syafiq Yusof's success motivates Pierre Andre to improve as filmmaker
KUALA LUMPUR: Director and actor Pierre Andre, 40, sees brothers and fellow directors Syamsul Yusof and Syafiq Yusof as inspirations. Despite a 10-year hiatus from directing, Pierre doesn't view their success with envy, but rather as motivation to refine and enhance his own filmmaking. "I don't see them as competitors because my real competition is myself. I'm always 'at war' with myself. "Their success inspires me to improve," he said in a recent interview with Harian Metro. Pierre expressed particular motivation from Syafiq's recent hit, Blood Brothers: Bara Naga. "I saw how Syafiq directed a film that grossed a remarkable RM76 million in just 33 days. "Even from the trailer, I knew it would easily hit RM30 million. It made me think, 'If he can do it, so can I.' "I just haven't found the right formula yet," he said. Pierre acknowledged that the significant changes in the local film industry have made him realise the need to stay current. "Of course, I don't want to be left behind. The difference between a RM100 million and a RM2 million gross is huge. These days, a RM2 million collection isn't something to boast about. "My previous films generally grossed under RM5 million. I need to 'catch up'," he said. He also emphasised his openness to feedback, particularly from audiences, to improve the quality of his future work. "I'm always open to views and criticism, as they help me produce better films," he said. Pierre is set to begin filming the horror movie Nar'Sata Sekutu Setan on May 20, starring Trisha Ooi, Mawar Rashid, and Fadlan Hazim.
