Latest news with #T.Saravanan
The Star
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Scrapping High-Value Goods Tax - the good and the bad
Photo: GLENN GUAN/The Star PETALING JAYA: The decision to scrap the High-Value Goods Tax (HVGT) has brought mixed reactions, highlighting the complexities of balancing tax policy with economic growth. While some see it as unfair to tax common folk while bringing relief to the rich, others feel it would help the economy and prevent cases of double taxation. This reflects a missed opportunity to address deeper questions of tax fairness and structural reform, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) claimed. 'From a consumer perspective, the decision to cancel the luxury goods tax may come as a relief, especially after the recent SST (sales and service tax) hike,' said Fomca secretary-general Dr T. Saravanan. However, he added that the implication is significant from a structural point of view. 'A luxury tax, even if it only adds a small amount to national income, would help widen the government's sources of revenue and reduce reliance on taxes like the SST, which affects all Malaysians,' he said yesterday. 'By scrapping the luxury tax but still taxing basic goods, the government may seem unfair, with lower income people paying more tax compared to what they can afford,' he added. Similarly, Malaysian Consumer Friendly Organisation vice-president Azlin Othman said the decision raises questions as to why the wealthy are not taxed more, while lower- and middle-income groups still have to pay taxes on basic items. Azlin said cancelling the luxury tax would also reduce government income, which could have been used for public welfare or development. 'Even if the luxury tax doesn't bring in a lot, it's still a valid source of income from the top 20%,' she said. The HVGT was initially slated to commence on May 1, 2024, after it was tabled during Budget 2023. However, the government has revealed at the Dewan Rakyat that the plan had been scrapped. Economist Prof Dr Ida Yasin believes the tax on luxury items should be maintained with a refined mechanism. The tax could be targeted at tourists, she said. 'When tourists come to our country, besides sightseeing, they also shop,' she added. While the HVGT would target people with higher income, she said its effectiveness was still questionable. 'If the tax is introduced, it might lead to rich individuals buying luxury goods abroad,' she said. Tax expert Datuk Koong Lin Loong is one of those who welcomed the government's move, saying it would give a positive signal to the market on Malaysia's robust tax policies. He said it would be good for the economy as it would also remove the potential of multiple taxes. 'Removing HVGT can avoid double taxation on goods,' he said. It would also help the government save resources that could be used for other purposes. Another tax expert, Thenesh Kannaa, said the Malaysian tax system needs simplification, not the introduction of new ones. 'Intuitively, one may think the luxury goods tax is an effective way to tax the rich to meet the country's fiscal needs ... but it's not that simple. 'Imposition of a special tax on luxury watches sold in retail outlets here does not prevent Malaysians from buying the same item overseas,' he said, adding that this would only hurt the local industry. He believes the government's decision was made based on the costs and benefits for collective well-being.
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
FOMCA urges stronger action against electricity theft in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Electricity theft must no longer be treated as a minor violation, as it costs Malaysia billions annually, warns the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA). The group demands stronger enforcement, smart meters, and legal reforms to curb illegal mining and unfair consumer burdens. FOMCA chief executive officer Dr T. Saravanan stressed the need for advanced detection systems, including real-time monitoring and data analytics, to flag suspicious power usage. 'Enforcement must target not just illegal miners but also landlords and financiers enabling these operations,' he said. Saravanan urged revising penalties to match the crime's severity, with higher fines and prison terms. He also proposed regulated pathways for legal crypto-mining. 'Special tariffs and licensing can prevent black-market activities while monitoring compliance,' he added. The call follows Deputy Energy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir's revelation that illegal bitcoin mining caused RM4.8 billion in losses since 2018. FOMCA insists on transparency to ensure consumers aren't subsidising theft through higher bills. 'Public trust depends on clear communication and fair solutions,' said Saravanan, urging Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and the government to act decisively. - Bernama
The Star
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Former Pahang striker Saravanan glad to be part of Kelantan's revamp
Game for a challenge: T. Saravanan feels he can grow more as a player with a team outside the Klang Valley like Kelantan. — Photo by Football Association of Malaysia PETALING JAYA: Kelantan are looking to become a Super League side worth watching again as they prepare for a fresh start next month following a major overhaul. After a dismal 2024-2025 season where they finished bottom of the 13-team table, the east coast side are rebuilding with clear intent, targeting a mid-table finish and a new identity to match their ambition. Now rebranded as the Real Warriors and backed by former chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa, Kelantan, the team have made several key appointments, including hiring of the experienced coach E. Elavarasan. Elavarasan will be supported by former Sarawak midfield general Muamer Salibasic. The club have secured four names from Malaysia Cup runners-up Pahang - winger T. Saravanan (goal-scorer in the final), left-back Azwan Aripin, goalkeeper Azfar Arif, and midfielder Syaahir Saiful Nizam. Saravanan is feeling optimistic about the journey ahead. 'New surroundings again after my move from Pahang, and before that Kuala Lumpur,' said the 24-year-old winger from Kapar. 'It was a good experience with Pahang, but I respect their decision to withdraw from the Super League this season. 'When Kelantan called up, I felt playing outside the Klang Valley again would help me grow as a player,' added Saravanan, who began his career with Selangor. He was also impressed with the approach of his new coaches. 'Coaches Elavarasan and Salibasic have brought a balanced style. On the pitch, it's about possession and using our technique intelligently. Off it, there's a strong emphasis on strength training – not just stamina, but overall physicality.' 'Kota Baru has been great so far. I'm excited and can't wait for the season to begin.' Kelantan have also brought in Terengganu winger Syafik Ismail and are reportedly monitoring Pahang playmaker Nor Azam Azih. To further strengthen their squad, Kelantan are exploring loan deals, particularly from Klang Valley side Kuala Lumpur, with striker Haqimi Azim Rosli and left-back Syazwan Andik among the names on their radar. On the foreign front, the club are said to be in talks with prolific Nigerian striker Ifedayo Olusegun, once the league's most feared forward and Golden Boot winner in 2020 and 2021 during his Selangor days. Despite being 34, Olusegun remains one of the most lethal strikers in Malaysian football. They are also eyeing Nigerian winger Prince Aggreh and Myanmar's Hein Htet Aung, while rumours suggest a European goalkeeper could soon be added to the mix.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Picking an engineering course in Tamil Nadu
Over 2.5 lakh students are expected to take part in the Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2025 counselling from July 14. The merit list was released Friday last. Early trends suggest a continued preference for Computer Science-centric courses — though surprises cannot be ruled out. Private engineering colleges report that courses like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity are in high demand, in line with the industrial trend nationwide. In contrast, traditional core branches such as Civil and Mechanical Engineering continue to struggle for patronage, despite recent efforts at reviving interest in these courses. Principals across engineering colleges agree that students mostly prefer Computer Science and allied fields. 'In our institution, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science are the top picks, followed by Computer Science and Engineering [CSE], and Electronics and Communication Engineering [ECE],' said T. Saravanan, principal, New Prince Shri Bhavani College of Engineering and Technology, Chennai. ECE has gained popularity owing to the government's push in the semiconductor sector, while Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) and Mechanical Engineering are regaining traction. However, Civil Engineering continues to evoke low interest, with only 30% of seats filled at his college, he added. Under the TNEA 2024 single-window counselling system for colleges affiliated to Anna University, only 4,451 candidates opted for Civil Engineering-related courses as against 10,772 available seats. 'Civil Engineering is still not preferred. We offer only 30 seats, and just 35% of them are filled under the management quota,' noted K. Palanikumar, principal, Sairam Engineering College in Chennai. 'Interestingly, students opting for Civil Engineering often have parents working in the construction sector. What we have noticed is that there is a disconnect between job opportunities in government departments and public perception.' He added that the fear of lay-offs in information technology companies has slightly slowed the admission to CSE, while the government push for manufacturing has sparked interest in Mechanical Engineering and EEE. Staging a comeback In Coimbatore, the Dhaanish Ahmed Institute of Technology has recorded a surge in interest. 'Cybersecurity is the buzzword in information technology companies such as TCS, Wipro, Infosys, and CTS. After computing, semiconductors are next in demand,' said its principal K.G. Parthiban. He added that Mechanical Engineering and allied branches — such as Robotics, Automation, and Mechatronics — are on the radar again, thanks to the growing demand in the auto and industrial automation sectors. 'There's even an increase in girl students choosing Mechanical Engineering.' At Vivekanandha Educational Institutions, Tiruchengode, girl students mostly opt for Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, CSE, ECE, and IT — in that order, said executive director S. Kuppuswamy. Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology rank fourth, while core engineering courses trail. Despite his personal efforts to advocate for core courses like Civil Engineering, students remain unconvinced. 'We have 30 Civil Engineering seats and fill them through government counselling. We've chosen not to surrender the branch, hoping that the interest in it will revive over time,' he said. A few years ago, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) allowed colleges to surrender seats in less popular disciplines so as to start new courses. Many colleges relinquished nearly 50% of their Civil and Mechanical Engineering seats and then expanded Artificial Intelligence and data-centric courses. While some institutions are attempting to revive core branches, IT-related programmes continue to shape the engineering education in Tamil Nadu, fuelled by immediate job prospects. This is not limited to Tier-2 and Tier-3 engineering colleges. Even the country's premier institution — the Indian Institute of Technology — is no exception. A recent event organised by the Pan-IIT Alumni Leadership Series (PALS) in Chennai discussed ways to improve candidates' choices. Directors of several IITs took part at the event. A recurrent theme was the need to encourage students to choose core engineering programmes. PALS has adopted 50 Tier-2 and Tier-3 engineering colleges to help them improve performance. A model for other students IIT-Madras Director V. Kamakoti acknowledged that in the past decade, 99.9% of the toppers in the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) — the qualifying examination for admission to the IITs — opted for CSE. Students did not choose Electrical Engineering. This is a matter of concern against the backdrop of two major occurrences — the COVID-19 pandemic and Operation Sindoor. 'In the first one, a solution came from biological sciences and in the second, from multiple disciplines. It is not just Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. It was the multidisciplinary approach, much beyond traditional AI,' he pointed out. 'We must reach out to people who studied in these core disciplines and are now doing well for themselves. They could be examples for younger students.' Mr. Kamakoti gave a wide range of suggestions, from improving syllabus to encouraging students to appear for competitive tests to help them evaluate themselves against their peers. He suggested that autonomous colleges fine-tune their syllabus to attract students. Colleges could call on their alumni in core engineering programmes to interact with the aspirants. Institutions could focus on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary education. Candidates should be encouraged to take up dual-degree programmes. Every institution must encourage students to take 40% of their credit through advanced courses to prepare themselves for the industry, he said. The AICTE and the University Grants Commission have permitted colleges to offer 20% skill-oriented courses. These courses could be taught by industry experts, and students could be assigned credits. Faculty members should encourage students to take the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering to help them understand their self-worth among peers, the IIT-M Director said. 'Self-audit is very important for students.' Instead of focusing only on engineering education, college faculty members could offer students wider choices, encouraging them to go in for even the Civil Services Examination. The country would benefit from tech-savvy engineering graduates who could shape technology-driven policies, he pointed out. IIT-Tirupati Director K.N. Satyanarayana suggested that students be given more time for practicals. Introducing Artificial Intelligence in Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering is the way forward, he said. But there are no teachers for the subject. Lack of engineers He pointed out that India had built only 50% of the infrastructure it needed. It aspires to be the manufacturing hub for semiconductors and electronic chips. Lack of trained engineers resulted in an Indian company Tata advertising for workers in Taiwan to work in its semiconductor industry. While it is true that civil engineers get paid lower than a software engineer or a CSE graduate initially, a level playing field is achieved for a core engineering graduate when the candidate completes 30 years in service, he added.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
What to B.E.
Over 2.5 lakh students are expected to take part in the Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2025 counselling from July 14. The merit list was released Friday last. Early trends suggest a continued preference for Computer Science-centric courses — though surprises cannot be ruled out. Private engineering colleges report that courses like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Cybersecurity are in high demand, in line with the industrial trend nationwide. In contrast, traditional core branches such as Civil and Mechanical Engineering continue to struggle for patronage, despite recent efforts at reviving interest in these courses. Principals across engineering colleges agree that students mostly prefer Computer Science and allied fields. 'In our institution, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science are the top picks, followed by Computer Science and Engineering [CSE], and Electronics and Communication Engineering [ECE],' said T. Saravanan, principal, New Prince Shri Bhavani College of Engineering and Technology, Chennai. ECE has gained popularity owing to the government's push in the semiconductor sector, while Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) and Mechanical Engineering are regaining traction. However, Civil Engineering continues to evoke low interest, with only 30% of seats filled at his college, he added. Under the TNEA 2024 single-window counselling system for colleges affiliated to Anna University, only 4,451 candidates opted for Civil Engineering-related courses as against 10,772 available seats. 'Civil Engineering is still not preferred. We offer only 30 seats, and just 35% of them are filled under the management quota,' noted K. Palanikumar, principal, Sairam Engineering College in Chennai. 'Interestingly, students opting for Civil Engineering often have parents working in the construction sector. What we have noticed is that there is a disconnect between job opportunities in government departments and public perception.' He added that the fear of lay-offs in information technology companies has slightly slowed the admission to CSE, while the government push for manufacturing has sparked interest in Mechanical Engineering and EEE. Staging a comeback In Coimbatore, the Dhaanish Ahmed Institute of Technology has recorded a surge in interest. 'Cybersecurity is the buzzword in information technology companies such as TCS, Wipro, Infosys, and CTS. After computing, semiconductors are next in demand,' said its principal K.G. Parthiban. He added that Mechanical Engineering and allied branches — such as Robotics, Automation, and Mechatronics — are on the radar again, thanks to the growing demand in the auto and industrial automation sectors. 'There's even an increase in girl students choosing Mechanical Engineering.' At Vivekanandha Educational Institutions, Tiruchengode, girl students mostly opt for Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, CSE, ECE, and IT — in that order, said executive director S. Kuppuswamy. Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology rank fourth, while core engineering courses trail. Despite his personal efforts to advocate for core courses like Civil Engineering, students remain unconvinced. 'We have 30 Civil Engineering seats and fill them through government counselling. We've chosen not to surrender the branch, hoping that the interest in it will revive over time,' he said. A few years ago, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) allowed colleges to surrender seats in less popular disciplines so as to start new courses. Many colleges relinquished nearly 50% of their Civil and Mechanical Engineering seats and then expanded Artificial Intelligence and data-centric courses. While some institutions are attempting to revive core branches, IT-related programmes continue to shape the engineering education in Tamil Nadu, fuelled by immediate job prospects. This is not limited to Tier-2 and Tier-3 engineering colleges. Even the country's premier institution — the Indian Institute of Technology — is no exception. A recent event organised by the Pan-IIT Alumni Leadership Series (PALS) in Chennai discussed ways to improve candidates' choices. Directors of several IITs took part at the event. A recurrent theme was the need to encourage students to choose core engineering programmes. PALS has adopted 50 Tier-2 and Tier-3 engineering colleges to help them improve performance. A model for other students IIT-Madras Director V. Kamakoti acknowledged that in the past decade, 99.9% of the toppers in the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) — the qualifying examination for admission to the IITs — opted for CSE. Students did not choose Electrical Engineering. This is a matter of concern against the backdrop of two major occurrences — the COVID-19 pandemic and Operation Sindoor. 'In the first one, a solution came from biological sciences and in the second, from multiple disciplines. It is not just Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. It was the multidisciplinary approach, much beyond traditional AI,' he pointed out. 'We must reach out to people who studied in these core disciplines and are now doing well for themselves. They could be examples for younger students.' Mr. Kamakoti gave a wide range of suggestions, from improving syllabus to encouraging students to appear for competitive tests to help them evaluate themselves against their peers. He suggested that autonomous colleges fine-tune their syllabus to attract students. Colleges could call on their alumni in core engineering programmes to interact with the aspirants. Institutions could focus on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary education. Candidates should be encouraged to take up dual-degree programmes. Every institution must encourage students to take 40% of their credit through advanced courses to prepare themselves for the industry, he said. The AICTE and the University Grants Commission have permitted colleges to offer 20% skill-oriented courses. These courses could be taught by industry experts, and students could be assigned credits. Faculty members should encourage students to take the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering to help them understand their self-worth among peers, the IIT-M Director said. 'Self-audit is very important for students.' Instead of focusing only on engineering education, college faculty members could offer students wider choices, encouraging them to go in for even the Civil Services Examination. The country would benefit from tech-savvy engineering graduates who could shape technology-driven policies, he pointed out. IIT-Tirupati Director K.N. Satyanarayana suggested that students be given more time for practicals. Introducing Artificial Intelligence in Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering is the way forward, he said. But there are no teachers for the subject. Lack of engineers He pointed out that India had built only 50% of the infrastructure it needed. It aspires to be the manufacturing hub for semiconductors and electronic chips. Lack of trained engineers resulted in an Indian company Tata advertising for workers in Taiwan to work in its semiconductor industry. While it is true that civil engineers get paid lower than a software engineer or a CSE graduate initially, a level playing field is achieved for a core engineering graduate when the candidate completes 30 years in service, he added.
