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Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Fraudsters duping devotees in the name of ‘darshan' in temples across Maha
PUNE: A series of incidents across major temples in Maharashtra have exposed malpractices ranging from black marketing of darshan passes to fake QR codes and portals to misuse of VIP entry; all of which have exploited the faith (and desperation) of devotees seeking a satisfying spiritual experience. While these cases were reported separately, taken together, they reveal a disconcerting pattern that has forced temple authorities and district administrations to revisit the systems that are presently in place. Indian devotees gather at The Shani Shingnapur Temple in Ahmednagar, some 200kms east of Mumbai on April 2, 2016. Angry villagers blocked a group of women activists from entering the inner sanctum of a temple in western India, despite a court order mandating Hindu women's right to worship / AFP PHOTO / STR (AFP) At the Jyotirlinga shrine in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Nashik rural police arrested five men for black marketing of darshan passes wherein they used fake identities to book multiple passes—officially priced at ₹200—only to subsequently sell them at ₹800 to ₹1,000 apiece. Having worked at flower stalls near the temple, the men used the familiarity to approach devotees unfamiliar with the online pass booking system. Mahesh Kulkarni, police inspector at Trimbakeshwar police station, said, 'Many devotees don't know how to book online passes. These accused would offer to help such devotees under the pretext of selling flowers.' Initially, they helped the devotees book passes for free while selling flowers but soon realised that they could exploit the system to their advantage. With no mechanism to crosscheck identity cards during online booking, the accused began mass booking passes and reselling them at inflated prices. The police found out that one of the accused, Shivraj Aher, booked over 1,000 passes in this manner. The accused had also created a WhatsApp group through which the passes were sold. Investigators suspect that more people may be involved in this racket. Purushottam Kadalag, trustee at the Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust, said, 'The accused benefitted from the loopholes in the online darshan pass system. We are also in the process of learning and after this incident, we have decided to crosscheck the issued passes with the respective identities (id's) of the devotees. Also, we will soon introduce an Aadhar card number-based darshan pass system to avoid such incidents in future.' In Shani Shingnapur, devotees were misled by fake websites and QR codes offering services such as VIP darshan, online puja, abhishek and oil offerings - none of which were authorised by the temple trust. The cybercrime unit has registered an FIR, and identified at least five such fraudulent platforms. Somnath Gharge, superintendent of police, Ahilyanagar district, said, 'These were cloned websites designed to siphon donations. Devotees thought that they were contributing to the temple but were transferring money to private accounts instead…' Whereas Pandharpur has seen multiple cases of fraud. In January, a self-styled priest was booked for charging ₹11,000 from devotees for easy darshan of Lord Vitthal. In March, seven devotees were conned into buying fake darshan passes; the authorities found them to be fake while scanning. Similar such incidents prompted the Solapur district administration to ban VIP darshan during this year's Ashadhi Wari. Solapur district collector Kumar Ashirwad said that the ban on VIP darshan is part of a broader effort to ensure fairness and maintain order. 'This year, we declared a no-vehicle zone from Chauphala to the Vitthal temple. Golf carts were provided for senior citizens, but VIP darshan has been completely banned. Violations will invite action under the Disaster Management Act,' he said. The ban came after reports that private agents were charging astronomical fees from all manner of devotees for 'VIP access', creating a law-and-order risk. In Tuljapur, a similar situation unfolded at the Tuljabhavani temple with VIP passes being misused. The passes, issued by trustees, were being resold by agents for a profit. So much so that in May this year, the Dharashiv district administration scrapped the VIP pass system and introduced a ₹200 online pass issued directly by the temple trust. While the aforementioned cases are separate, the common thread tying them together is the use of digital manipulation, emotional exploitation, and gaps in oversight. In almost all cases, devotees were contacted through WhatsApp groups, social media, and fraudulent websites—channels that are difficult to regulate in real time. For many devotees who had saved for months and travelled long distances, these experiences were not just financial setbacks but also the cause of great emotional distress. Instead of blessings, they were left with a sense of betrayal. Temple trusts and local authorities have since issued advisories urging devotees to use only official websites or government-authorised platforms for bookings and donations. Devotees have been warned against scanning QR codes from messages or social media posts. Overall, these incidents have triggered calls for stronger verification systems, improved transparency, and tighter digital security across religious institutions. With the holy Hindu month of Shravan having just begun, there is now a crying need to ensure that the faithful are not targeted in the name of devotion.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Is Las Vegas in Trouble?
The party may soon be over for Las Vegas, as economic challenges and a steady outflow of both visitors and residents threaten to strip the town of its title as the "entertainment capital of the world." Hotel occupancy rates are dwindling, declining tourism threatens to push Nevada's already nation-leading unemployment rate higher and casinos-once the beating heart of the Sin City economy-have extended a monthslong streak of falling revenue. According to recent data from hotel analytics provider STR, hotel occupancy dropped to 66.7 percent in early July, down nearly 17 percent from the same period last year. Vegas also recorded the steepest national declines in average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPar), the latter down 29 percent year-over-year. Data shows that visitors, both domestic and international, are increasingly steering clear of Vegas, sparked by a period of economic difficulty at home and a wider decline in inbound travel to the U.S. Jeremy Aguero, senior analyst at the Las Vegas consulting firm Applied Analysis, described this as "a pretty formidable one-two punch" for a city so heavily reliant on flows of outside cash to keep its economy afloat. "Southern Nevada is more dependent on the tourism industry than any other major market in the United States today," he said, adding that declining tourism is "having a ripple effect" throughout the city's flagship industry. Gaming revenue across Nevada fell by 2.2 percent in May compared to a year earlier, according to the state's gambling regulator, with the Vegas Strip seeing an even larger drop of 3.87 percent. Vegas's woes have been attributed in part to the high costs of visitation, with steep room rates, dining costs and pricy amenities deterring prospective visitors from spending their limited time and funds in Vegas. "From what I understand, Vegas may be setting themselves up for the same situation they went through in 2008-2009," said veteran gaming consultant Bill Zender, "over pricing the market." As well as dropping visitors, the city has also seen a significant exodus of its residents. According to June housing report, Vegas has seen the largest increase in housing inventory, with active home listings now 77 percent higher than a year ago. Robert Little, a real estate agent in Nevada, told that this was due to a marked slowdown in buyer demand, but also investors in the Vegas property market choosing to "cash out and reallocate their funds into other opportunities." Aguero told Newsweek that one could view Vegas' struggles as a symbol for the economic issues facing all Americans, which have an outsized impact given the city's economy is centered around things – gambling, lavish hotels and a booming nightlife – that would be considered discretionary and the first to go in times of economic hardship. "There are some folks that believe that Las Vegas has a tendency to be somewhat recession-resistant," he told Newsweek. "But no one ever has suggested that this community is sort of recession-proof." "When you look at consumers across the United States, what you're going to see is that consumers are being stressed relative to the cost of living," he added. A precarious national housing market, declining tourism, and heightened macroeconomic worries among America's spending population have spared few states or cities this year. Las Vegas's own weakening odds must be viewed against this backdrop, Aguero said, but added that these could nevertheless rebound in the near future. This may require adapting pricing strategies to appeal to more cash-strapped visitors, acknowledging that casino gaming is no longer the revenue driver it once was, and expanding into sports and cultural attractions to meet the tastes of the modern American consumer. "If there's one thing Las Vegas has proven since legalizing gambling in the early 1930s, it's that it is both resilient and resourceful, and it has both the infrastructure investments, but also the capability to reposition itself fairly effectively." Related Articles How to Watch Las Vegas Aces vs Dallas Wings: Live Stream WNBA, TV ChannelHow to Watch Las Vegas Aces vs Minnesota Lynx: Live Stream WNBA, Start Time, TV ChannelA'ja Wilson Makes WNBA History vs Indiana FeverEx-Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce Resurfaces With Surprising New Job 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Is Las Vegas in Trouble?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The party may soon be over for Las Vegas, as economic challenges and a steady outflow of both visitors and residents threaten to strip the town of its title as the "entertainment capital of the world." Hotel occupancy rates are dwindling, declining tourism threatens to push Nevada's already nation-leading unemployment rate higher and casinos—once the beating heart of the Sin City economy—have extended a monthslong streak of falling revenue. According to recent data from hotel analytics provider STR, hotel occupancy dropped to 66.7 percent in early July, down nearly 17 percent from the same period last year. Vegas also recorded the steepest national declines in average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPar), the latter down 29 percent year-over-year. Data shows that visitors, both domestic and international, are increasingly steering clear of Vegas, sparked by a period of economic difficulty at home and a wider decline in inbound travel to the U.S. Jeremy Aguero, senior analyst at the Las Vegas consulting firm Applied Analysis, described this as "a pretty formidable one-two punch" for a city so heavily reliant on flows of outside cash to keep its economy afloat. "Southern Nevada is more dependent on the tourism industry than any other major market in the United States today," he said, adding that declining tourism is "having a ripple effect" throughout the city's flagship industry. Gaming revenue across Nevada fell by 2.2 percent in May compared to a year earlier, according to the state's gambling regulator, with the Vegas Strip seeing an even larger drop of 3.87 percent. Vegas's woes have been attributed in part to the high costs of visitation, with steep room rates, dining costs and pricy amenities deterring prospective visitors from spending their limited time and funds in Vegas. "From what I understand, Vegas may be setting themselves up for the same situation they went through in 2008-2009," said veteran gaming consultant Bill Zender, "over pricing the market." As well as dropping visitors, the city has also seen a significant exodus of its residents. According to June housing report, Vegas has seen the largest increase in housing inventory, with active home listings now 77 percent higher than a year ago. Robert Little, a real estate agent in Nevada, told that this was due to a marked slowdown in buyer demand, but also investors in the Vegas property market choosing to "cash out and reallocate their funds into other opportunities." Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Canva Aguero told Newsweek that one could view Vegas' struggles as a symbol for the economic issues facing all Americans, which have an outsized impact given the city's economy is centered around things – gambling, lavish hotels and a booming nightlife – that would be considered discretionary and the first to go in times of economic hardship. "There are some folks that believe that Las Vegas has a tendency to be somewhat recession-resistant," he told Newsweek. "But no one ever has suggested that this community is sort of recession-proof." "When you look at consumers across the United States, what you're going to see is that consumers are being stressed relative to the cost of living," he added. A precarious national housing market, declining tourism, and heightened macroeconomic worries among America's spending population have spared few states or cities this year. Las Vegas's own weakening odds must be viewed against this backdrop, Aguero said, but added that these could nevertheless rebound in the near future. This may require adapting pricing strategies to appeal to more cash-strapped visitors, acknowledging that casino gaming is no longer the revenue driver it once was, and expanding into sports and cultural attractions to meet the tastes of the modern American consumer. "If there's one thing Las Vegas has proven since legalizing gambling in the early 1930s, it's that it is both resilient and resourceful, and it has both the infrastructure investments, but also the capability to reposition itself fairly effectively."
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Special measures: The good, the bad and the money
In his address, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to inclusive growth under the Ekonomi MADANI framework. — Bernama photos KUCHING (July 27): Prime Minister Dauk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's 23 July address entitled 'Penghargaan Untuk Rakyat' (Appreciation for the People) introduced additional cost-of-living measures totalling at least RM2.8 billion, which analysts having mixed reactions to its impact. The rollout comes amid solid growth momentum, improved global competitiveness ranking, a resurgent ringgit, and benign inflation, aligning broadly with Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast of 2025 GDP at 4.3 per cent, underpinned by resilient domestic demand and reform-led investor confidence despite uncertainties due to external headwinds from the US tariffs and geopolitical risks. In his address, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to inclusive growth under the Ekonomi MADANI framework. Existing MADANI welfare architecture — such as the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) and Sejahtera MADANI — remains the delivery vehicle, while no new taxes or major off-budget items announced. At the same time, he underscored the importance of translating these gains into improvements in raiyat well-being. To further support domestic demand and ease cost-of-living pressures, the Prime Minister announced several new direct fiscal measures, such as the RM2 billion one-off SARA cash transfer to all adults, alongside the STR allocations of RM15 billion (up from RM13 billion), Jualan Rahmah Madani (raised o RM0.6 billion from RM0.3 billion) and a freeze on toll hikes (RM0.5 billion). All these should deliver a short-term boost to Malaysians' private consumption in the second half of 2025 (2H25). The SARA programme alone is set to benefit over 22 million Malaysians, front-loading spending potential around the Malaysia Day holiday period and year-end festive season. While politically popular, researchers with Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga Research) noted that these initiatives are not typical fiscal stimuli but rather a redistribution of fiscal gains from Malaysia's improving macro fundamentals 'We expect spillover into stronger household spending in F&B, retail, and essential goods, partially offsetting export drag if trade tensions escalate. 'We forecast private consumption growth to expand by 5.8 per cent in 2025 (against 2024's 5.1 per cent), supported by the impact of these new measures, coupled with steady labour market conditions and rising household income.' Kenang Research maintained its 2025 GDP growth forecast at 4.3 per cent, anticipating moderate 2H25 growth, but will be underpinned by fiscal support and lower policy rates. 'While the near-term fiscal impulse is mildly expansionary and supportive of overall growth, we remain cautious on persistent external headwinds, particularly from elevated US tariffs.' Enhancing domestic consumption amidst uncertainties Meanwhile, the team with MBSB Investment Bank Bhd (MBSB Research) said these fiscal measures will be positive to address the people's concerns about rising cost of living. At the same time, the announcement came after the recent overnight policy cut (OPR) by Bank Negara Malaysia to ensure the country's economic growth will be sustained and secured. 'The one-off SARA allocations will be positive to improve consumer sentiment and support spending on basic necessities,' MBSB Research said in its commentary on the matter. 'Meanwhile, savings from the reduced spending on fuel (following reduction in the subsidised RON95 price) can be used and redirected to support other consumption. 'Together with the recent monetary policy easing, we opine the fiscal measures as proactive actions by the government to promote domestic spending, which will cushion the impacts from external trade slowdown, and support the overall economic growth.' MBSB Research expect the additional allocations for SARA, freezing the toll hikes, Rahmah sales and other areas will not cause a deterioration in the government's fiscal position. Instead, it estimated that these measures will be sufficiently covered by the additional collection of RM10 billion, which is higher than RM5 billion estimated previously, from the expansion of Sales and Services Tax (SST) coverage. At the same time, the government indicated that the actual oil subsidy spending is less than budgeted given the level of crude oil, which now hovering below US$70 per barrel, is lower than the average US$75 to US$80 per barrel assumed for the Budget 2025. In other words, the unutilised subsidy allocation allows the government to reduce the RON95 price, which will be effective in the latter part of the year. On that note, we expect no additional government borrowings will required as the additional fiscal spending will be covered by the larger fiscal collection and redirecting savings from unutilised allocations. Oh the other hand of the spectrum, the team at Public Investment Bank Bhd (PublicIB Research) said while the special announcement offers short-term populist relief with relatively manageable inflation implications, the lack of clear funding offsets and rising subsidy costs could cloud Malaysia's medium-term fiscal path. 'While the government has pledged to outline RON95 subsidy restructuring details by end-September 2025, the implementation timeline remains uncertain, with potential delays still on the table,' it forewarned in its analysis. 'The onus is now on the government to anchor expectations via a credible Budget 2026, particularly as fiscal space continues to narrow heading into next year.' That said, with inflationary pressures still subdued and oil prices on the decline, PublicIB Research noted that the government is seizing policy space to ease living costs and build public trust ahead of subsidy reforms. The MyKad-linked RM100 SARA transfer could serve as a testbed for targeted fuel subsidies, potentially laying the foundation for broader structural shifts. 'A credible and transparent rollout will be critical in turning a short-term gesture into long-term fiscal reform momentum,' it added. Inflation to accelerate in 2H, but still under control For now, activities in the domestic economy are expected to remain supported by the recent monetary and fiscal stimulus. On the policy front, MBSB Research believe the latest fiscal measures reduce the need for further monetary stimulus by BNM, after the OPR cut earlier this month. We expect BNM will keep the existing policy space to support the economy especially when the growth outlook weakens significantly. For now, it expect activities in the domestic economy will remain supported by the recent monetary and fiscal stimulus. More fiscal measures will be announced in Budget 2026, scheduled for tabling in early October 2025, which will support economic activities next year. In addition, other structural reforms and development agenda outlined in the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan could also boost Malaysia's growth potential in the next 5 years. These new fiscal measures could boost consumer spending by at least RM2 billion to RM3 billion or adding around one to 1.5 per cent to Malaysia's GDP this year. Together with the OPR reduction, MBSB Research estimate the overall GDP growth forecast for 2025 may be revised up to 4.45 per cent from its existing forecast of four per cent, factoring in the stronger private consumption. 'Despite this upside boost, the weak export performance in recent months suggests that external trade could be a larger downward drag on growth in 2HCY25. We will review our 2025 growth forecast after the full GDP data for 2QCY25 is published next month,' it commented. Meanwhile, MRBS Research said the reduction in the subsidised RON95 petrol price carries implications on inflation, affecting both supply and demand dynamics. On the supply side, the Prime Minister indicated that the price of RON95 will be set at RM1.99 per litre for MyKad holders, a reduction from its current RM2.05 per litre. This move is expected to mitigate inflationary pressures that have previously posed a downside risk to economic forecasts, serving as a measure to ease the cost of living amidst earlier expectations of RON95 price increases due to further subsidy rationalisation. Approximately 18 million car and motorcycle users are projected to benefit from this reduction in petrol costs. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms for the rollout of these subsidies are yet to be fully clarified. Some easing to cost-push In addition, consumer spending will be supported by higher income, which will also be supported by the increase in minimum wage to RM1,700 and the implementation of living wage policy of at least RM3,100 a month by GLCs and GLICs. Simultaneously, the reduced fuel price also presents potential impacts on inflation from stronger demand pressures. MBSB Research anticipate several recently announced initiatives will contribute to demand-pull inflation, potentially leading to an upward revision of our inflation forecasts. The STR and SARA cash aid, now at a record RM13 billion, including the additional SARA allocation of RM100 per adult citizen. This substantial financial support is poised to significantly boost domestic consumption. Additionally, the Rahmah sales budget will be doubled from RM300 million to RM600 million, a move designed to further enhance consumer purchasing power and encourage increased spending. In addition, consumer spending will be supported by higher income, which will also be supported by the increase in minimum wage to RM1,700 and the implementation of living wage policy (of at least RM3,100 a month) by government linked companies (GLCs) and government inked investment companies (GLICs). 'Overall, we project higher price pressures, which will be predominantly driven by supply-side factors. Although we recently revised our inflation forecast to 1.8 per cent due to milder inflation in 1H25, we continue to expect inflation will trend higher in 2H25 due to the higher cost pressures and policy changes, including the implementation of expanded SST coverage. 'In addition, the stronger demand could also add to the price pressures following the recent OPR adjustment and the fiscal measures that were announced yesterday. Moreover, consumers are expected to increase expenditures on the back of resilient labour market conditions, with healthy employment and wage growth. 'While non-citizens and the top income earners will be affected by the upward revision to petrol prices, the price pressures will be partly limited by the reduction in subsidised RON95 price.' Public holiday versus productivity: Where to draw the line? Following the government's decision to declare Monday, 15 September 15, 2025 as an additional public holiday in conjunction with Malaysia Day on Tuesday, September 16. While the Malaysian Industrial Commercial Service Employers Association (MICSEA) supports the policy's intent to promote national unity and extended family time, it is equally mindful of the productivity and operational challenges highlighted by employer groups. 'According to industry feedback and commentary from employer groups, the loss of a working day is expected to adversely affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and factories, especially those operating on continuous shifts. 'In addition to lost production time, unplanned scheduling can lead to overtime costs, delivery delays, and increased project bottlenecks.' MISCEA president, YK Lai, addressed that with multiple recent holidays including Malaysia Day itself, this extra ad-hoc public holidays may reduce workforce efficiency. He also added that on the flip side, food and beverage (F&B_ and tourism sectors could benefit from increased domestic activity during the longer weekend. 'While the added holiday is a positive gesture for Malaysia's unity, businesses must now act responsibly to adapt,' Lai said. 'Forward planning, cost assessment, and workforce communications are key to managing the impact. Employers need not only to honour the spirit of the holiday but also maintain operational resilience.' Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong earlier reiterated that employers must comply with the declaration of September 15 as an additional public holiday in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebration. He said employers could observe the additional public holiday and pay the regular salary, or instruct their employees to work and pay according to the public holiday rates. 'Employers can also opt to give a replacement holiday on another day if their employees are required to work on that public holiday. 'To ensure the implementation of the additional public holiday is fair and organised, the Department of Labour (JTK) is prepared to provide advisory services as well as answer any queries from employers and employees regarding the implementation of this additional public holiday,' he said in a statement. Sim said the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement that Sept 15 will be designated as an additional public holiday in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration. 'This announcement is good news for workers in the public and private sectors nationwide. 'This additional holiday allows all Malaysians to celebrate unity, strengthen the spirit of nationalism and appreciate the uniqueness of the formation of Malaysia as a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country,' he said. Sim also called on Malaysians to use the long holiday for recreation, thus promoting well-being among workers and stimulating economic activities, which in turn will have a positive impact on the local economy. The implementation of the additional holiday is subject to provisions under Section 60D(1) of the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan; the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67), the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) and the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) as the basis for the announcement of the official additional holiday by the Government. Employers or employees requiring further information can contact the JTKSM via its hotline at 03-8886 5192/5937, by email at [email protected], or at any nearby JTK offices. Impact from targeted RON95 implementation The targeted RON95 will reduce the price of RON95 petrol for Malaysian citizens to RM1.99 per litre, which represents a slight decrease of 2.9 per cent from the current subsidised price of RM2.05. — Bernama photo Looking specifically at fuel measures, the targeted RON95 will reduce the price of RON95 petrol for Malaysian citizens to RM1.99 per litre, which represents a slight decrease of 2.9 per cent from the current subsidised price of RM2.05. This move is aimed at optimising national resources; ensuring most Malaysians continue to benefit from subsidies; and curbing leakages to ineligible recipients. The use of MyKad is anticipated to be involved in the implementation of this targeted scheme. Approximately 18 million car drivers and motorcyclists, including youths as young as 16 and gig economy workers, are expected to benefit from this lower price. Meanwhile, foreign nationals and presumably high-income individuals (the ultra-rich) will be required to pay the unsubsidised market price for RON95, which is currently around RM2.50 per litre. Full details of this subsidy mechanism are expected to be announced by the end of September 2025. MBSB Research anticipate that there will be initial adjustments and operational challenges due to the targeted subsidy. However, overall impact on Petronas Dagangan's Bhd (Petronas Dagangan) profitability might not be significantly negative in the long run. 'The higher margins on unsubsidised sales could help cushion any volume reduction, and the continued high demand from eligible Malaysians will remain a strong base. The successful implementation and the government's compensation mechanism will be key to Petronas Dagangan's performance under the new system,' it added. 'Alluding to the previous targeted subsidy scheme for diesel, we anticipate that the setbacks will be temporary. We roughly calculated that the targeted subsidy has the potential to provide an added 4.3 to 4.5 per cent of the total profit from RON95 consumption, should the scheme operate as intended, mainly from the sales of the unsubsidised RON95. 'This indicates that the targeted subsidy scheme would have a neutral to slightly positive impact for Petronas Dagangan in the long term, and minimal negative impact to Petronas Dagangan's earnings.' In terms of the overall RON95 sales volume, the research house expect a slight, temporary dip (approximately between 15 to 25 per cent) as foreigners and high-income individuals might initially reduce consumption or seek alternative transportation to mitigate using the unsubsidised fuel. However, demand for fuel remains inelastic as it is a deemed a necessity, given that over 90 per cent of registered vehicles in Malaysia still depends heavily on fossil fuels and public transportation are not widespread beyond major cities. 'Despite most Malaysian citizens falling under the low- to middle-income groups (approximately 80 to 85 per cent of the total population), the impact from the initial lower pump sales will eventually be balanced by the sales of the unsubsidised fuel, consequently avoiding volume contractions. 'The two-tiered pricing system might lead to some operational adjustments at petrol stations to verify eligibility. This could impact transaction times and methods, subsequently require system upgrades or overhaul to accommodate the scheme. However, Petronas Dagangan has established its digital platform, Setel, which could securely store information on the customers' eligibility and ensure that the subsidies reached the right group. Another challenge is the necessity to train and/or upskill petrol station staff to manage and comply to this new system, especially in preventing abuse from ineligible individuals. Nevertheless, these non-fuel risks could be mitigated from Petronas Dagangan's non-fuel retail and commercial segments, which are expected to continue diversifying the group's revenue stream. Additionally, the uptake from the cheaper subsidised fuel might encourage higher sales in these areas. All in all, we maintain positive on this latest announcement on RON95. We believe the demand for RON95 will remain supported due to continuous utilisation for fossil fuel out of necessity. While the margins for the dealers through this scheme are yet to be disclosed, Petronas Dagangan is expected to be compensated for selling the fuel below market price to eligible consumers, while higher margins are anticipated for the unsubsidised fuel sold to ineligible recipients. 'Initial risks may persist in terms of uptake and utilisation post-implementation of the RON95 targeted subsidy, although we believe Petronas Dagangan still has the upper hand to mitigate them.' RM100 an impetus for consumer goods sector Although the RM100 aid is restricted to essential items, it commented that the increase in disposable income may still lead to spillover spending. — Bernama photo Players in the consumer space are set to gain from the targeted fiscal measures, which are expected to boost near-term consumption, particularly for essential goods and household items. The most notable is the one-off RM100 cash aid to every Malaysian citizen aged 18 and above, in conjunction with Merdeka Day. Distributed via MyKad under the SARA programme, this marks the first time in history that cash aid is extended to all adult citizens. The initiative, expected to benefit 22 million individuals, carries an allocation of approximately RM2.2 billion. The funds must be utilised between August 31 and December 31, 2025 for purchases of basic goods at over 4,100 approved retailers, including major supermarket chains such as Mydin, Lotus's, and Econsave. Notably, the assistance is disbursed on an individual basis rather than per household, widening its consumption impact. The research team with Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga Research) underscored value retailers among key beneficiaries of these initiatives. 'Among listed retail names, we expect the direct beneficiaries of the one-off cash aid to include 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd (99 Speed Mart) and Eco-Shop Marketing Berhad (Eco-Shop) given their inclusion as official merchant partners under the SARA initiative. 'These value-focused retailers are well-positioned to capture increased footfall from lower- to middle-income consumers looking to maximise the aid. If Mr D.I.Y. Group (MM) Berhad (Mr DIY) is also included in the SARA merchant network, we believe it could stand to benefit from this broad-based stimulus given its appeal across income segments.' Kenanga Research noted that the broader retail sector is likely to see spillover gains from the RM100 aid. Although the RM100 aid is restricted to essential items, it commented that the increase in disposable income may still lead to spillover spending. 'With RM100 extra in hand, consumers are likely to reallocate some of their usual budget toward discretionary purchases, providing a temporary boost for mass-market retailers such as Mr DIY, AEON Co (M) Bhd (AEON) and Padini Holdings Bhd (Padini). 'The impact is likely to be more meaningful for the B40 group, where RM100 represents about four per cent of monthly household disposable income, compared to two per cent for the M40 group and one per cent for the T20 group.' Back in the second quarter of 2022, Kenanga Research noted that discretionary retailers saw a 17 per cent quarter on quarter (q-o-q) revenue boost driven primarily by Mr DIY and Padini, following the RM40 billion special wihdrawal from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in April 2022, border reopening in April 2022 and minimum wage hike in May 2022. 'Given this precedent, and while the RM100 new cash aid is smaller in scale, its timing ahead of the year-end shopping season could still drive a slight sales bump of at least one or two per cent for retail players in 4Q25, driven by a 'feel-good' sentiment and seasonal momentum,' Kenanga Research said. 'This is based on the RM2.2 billion aid equating to about one or two per cent of the KLCSU Index's aggregate annual revenue; while this estimate is annualised, the bulk of the impact is likely to be seen in 4Q25. 'Additionally, consumer staples could also benefit from stronger demand for food and beverage essentials during the spending window.' RON95 subsidy details due by end-September. Meanwhile, the government has proposed lowering the price of RON95 petrol by three per cent to RM1.99 per litre (from RM2.05, which was been price-capped since February 2021) under the targeted subsidy scheme. RON95 is the most widely used petrol grade in Malaysia, and the lower price point is expected to benefit 18m eligible Malaysians, including youth and gig economy workers. The unsubsidised market price currently stands at RM2.50 per litre, representing a 22 per cent premium over the capped rate. This market price will be applied to foreigners and high-income earners under the new framework. While the implementation timeline and mechanism remain unclear, further details are expected by end-September 2025. In both 2023 and 2024, RON95 subsidies cost the government an estimated RM20 billion annually, and excluding high-income earners and foreigners from subsidy could save RM8 billion for the government. In addition, Kenanga Research suggested that to preserve fiscal space, the government could introduce SST on premium fuels such as RON97 to help offset rising subsidy costs and fund growth initiatives. Other government measures to alleviate cost of living. In addition, it was also announced that the allocation for Jualan Rahmah Madani programme (which offers daily essential goods at discounted prices) has been doubled to RM600 million to expand its geographical reach and include a wider range of essential goods nationwide. 'We note that AEON is among the participating retailers, and these deals could draw in budget-conscious shoppers during promotion periods,' it commented. Moreover, the government has postponed toll hikes at 10 highways, which were originally scheduled to take effect this year. While this move is expected to cost the government RM500 million, it aims to ease the toll burden for approximately 941,000 daily commuters. Historically, announcements of direct cash injections into the economy have triggered short-term rallies in consumer-related share prices. Based on our observation, most consumer counters we track typically gain an average of nine per cent m-o-m following such announcements, with gains ranging from two per cent to as high as 27 per cent, though the upper end was largely driven by strong earnings releases. The current one-off RM100 SARA cash aid for all adult citizens represents a surprise injection, albeit at a smaller magnitude relative to past stimulus rounds. However, we note that previous instances involving larger-scale fiscal injections such as the EPF Special Withdrawal announced in March 2022 (RM40 billion) and EPF Account 3 Withdrawal announced in April 2024 (RM11 billion) led to initial share price rallies that were short-lived, with most stocks retracing gains shortly after. While we expect a potential rebound in the near term driven by improved sentiment, a sustained re-rating appears unlikely based on past patterns. AmInvestment Bank Bhd (AmInvestment Bank) maintained a neutral view on the consumer sector, with its top picks being 99 Speedmart – the prime beneficiary of the relief measures, Mr DIY and Spritzer. '99 Speedmart stands out due to its cost advantage from scale and strong bargaining power over suppliers,' it said. 'Mr DIY still has ample room for growth and the launch of complementary brands such as KKV, The Colorist and X11, which are expected to expand its total addressable market. Spritzer is expected to benefit from tourist-driven demand for bottled mineral water.' However, CIMB Securities Bhd (CIMB Securities) is keeping its earnings forecasts unchanged at this juncture, noting that the measures would underpin existing revenue growth assumptions for the stocks under its coverage. 'Within the consumer sector, we continue to advocate focusing on companies benefiting from inelastic demand for daily necessities and those well-positioned to capture consumer downtrading trends by targeting the mass-market segment,' it said. Supportive of near term catalysts Meanwhile, essential F&B players are expected to benefit indirectly from increased volumes at participating outlets and the inelastic demand for staple goods. — Bernama photo CIMB Securities highlighted that food and beverage (F&B) manufacturers are likely to benefit from stronger demand for basic food and beverage products, many of which are likely to be eligible for purchase using the RM100 credit. It opined that other retailers could see improved footfall and higher spending per customer as disposable incomes increase, amplified by the recent 25 basis points overnight policy rate cut to 2.75 per cent. 'As such, we maintain our neutral call on the sector. We believe valuations are fair at this juncture, reflecting the ongoing soft consumer sentiment and higher sales tax on discretionary goods, the impact of boycott activities on selected consumer names and cost pressures from the expanded SST on rental costs,' it said. TA Securities Bhd (TA Research) retained their positive view on the newly announced cost-of-living relief measures, seeing them as a supportive near-term catalyst for the consumer sector, particularly in the non-discretionary segment. It noted that direct cash aid, along with savings from electricity and transport subsidies, is expected to enhance household liquidity. 'In our view, the relief package primarily aims to ease the financial pressure on households stemming from subsidy rationalisation and the expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST), both of which are expected to exert upward pressure on inflation in 2H25,' it commented. 'As such, we believe consumer spending will remain focused on essential goods, with limited spillover into discretionary categories.' It believed large-format retailers such as 99 Smart and Ecoshop, which participate in the MyKasih programme, stand to benefit from increased transaction volumes and larger basket sizes as eligible consumers redeem their one-off SARA credit. Both companies may also see improved footfall, creating opportunities for cross-selling. Meanwhile, essential food and beverage (F&B) players are expected to benefit indirectly from increased volumes at participating outlets and the inelastic demand for staple goods. Stable input costs also support margin resilience heading into 2H25. All in all, we reaffirm our overweight stance on the consumer sector, supported by three key factors: resilient domestic consumption, driven by higher cash availability and inelastic demand for daily necessities; favourable commodity price trends, which should help sustain gross profit margins for major F&B players; and robust tourism activity. 'Our top picks for 2H25 are F&N and Padini. We favour F&N for its exposure to the tourism recovery, particularly in Thailand, potential upside from upstream dairy expansion, and stable raw material costs. 'Meanwhile, Padini is well-positioned to capture demand from value-conscious consumers seeking quality products at affordable prices, making it a likely beneficiary of consumer downtrading amid ongoing cost pressures.' anwar fiscal measure SARA
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
RM52.7 Million Disbursed To Nearly 47,000 STR Recipients Without Bank Accounts
SEMPORNA, July 26 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has disbursed a total of RM52.7 million to 46,568 recipients of the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) initiative, who do not have bank accounts, through a series of nationwide distribution programmes to date. Treasury deputy secretary-general (Policy) Datuk Zamzuri Abdul Aziz said the disbursement involved 31 locations across Sabah's interior, benefiting 23,105 recipients, while a similar initiative was carried out at 25 locations in Sarawak, reaching 20,775 recipients. 'In the interior regions of Peninsular Malaysia, the programme is specifically conducted for the Orang Asli communities across four locations - Gua Musang in Kelantan; Jerantut and Lipis in Pahang; and Hulu Perak in Perak - involving a total of 2,688 recipients,' he said. 'Today, 3,300 recipients from Pulau Bum Bum and Pulau Mabul, here, are benefiting from the STR disbursement programme,' he said to reporters after overseeing the implementation of the initiative on Pulau Bum Bum. He added that apart from not having bank accounts, nearly 47,000 STR recipients living in remote areas also face significant challenges in accessing cash disbursements at Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) branches, due to long travel distances and the necessity of boat transport. Meanwhile, housewife Atikah Noor Najib, 34, from Kampung Balimbang, described the government's initiative, led by the MOF, to implement the STR disbursement programme on Pulau Bum Bum, as a clear demonstration of concern for residents in remote areas. 'Previously, I would receive an STR voucher, and had to travel to the BSN branch on the mainland in Semporna. The boat fare was RM2 one way, and the bus fare to the bank was RM3. So, a round trip cost about RM10, and that's only if I went alone, and my house is also located near the jetty,' she said. 'This move really helps islanders like us - it makes the process much more convenient,' she added, noting that she uses the STR assistance to buy school essentials for her children and younger siblings. For Kampung Lok Butun resident, Kamis Bata, 62, the STR payout on the island signals a government that is more attentive to the challenges faced by rural communities.
