Latest news with #TV3
New Straits Times
8 minutes ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia on track to cut debt-to-GDP to 60pct
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is on track to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio to 60 per cent over the medium term, backed by disciplined fiscal management and lower annual borrowings. Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican said the country's fiscal consolidation efforts are bearing fruit, with the budget deficit narrowing from 5.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 to 4.1 per cent last year and further targeted to reach 3.8 per cent in 2025. Concurrently, annual new borrowings have declined significantly, from RM99 billion in 2022 to RM77 billion in 2024, reflecting the government's commitment to long-term fiscal sustainability, Johan said in an interview with TV3. "This shows that each year, the level of new debt is being lowered. This is consistent with the government's target to reduce the national debt level to 60 per cent of GDP. "Currently, it stands at around 64 per cent, but the reduction in annual deficit and new borrowings will support the achievement of the 60 per cent target. "So far, the government is on track, and what has been implemented is aligned with what was targeted under the fiscal responsibility legislation," he said. He said certain parties may attempt to distort the narrative around the government's financial management, but international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund have acknowledged Malaysia's commitment to fiscal reforms, particularly through the implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government has successfully lowered annual new borrowings, marking progress toward its commitment to more responsible fiscal management with only interest payments on existing debt yet to be reduced. He said the decline in new debt aligns with the government's efforts to narrow the fiscal deficit, adding that the administration remains committed to reducing the deficit gradually and responsibly, without disrupting national development. Anwar, who also serves as finance minister, said the government has deliberately taken a phased approach to ensure that deficit reduction does not compromise development priorities or undermine investor confidence. Progressive tax reform protects rakyat. Johan said the government's expansion of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) was part of a progressive and targeted tax approach, one designed to avoid overburdening the rakyat and support sustainable growth. "If we were to reintroduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) using the same parameters as SST, it would generate more than double the tax revenue. But this could be too heavy a burden on the economy," he said. Instead, Johan said SST is structured to exempt essential items such as basic food and focus taxation on non-essential or premium goods. "For example, service tax is applied to industrial buildings but not to residential homes. This ensures that those with higher purchasing power contribute more," he shared. He added that additional revenue collected would go towards improving core public services. In 2025, welfare assistance under Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) will increase from RM10 billion to RM13 billion. Meanwhile, allocations for education and healthcare have also been raised. The Education Ministry will receive RM74 billion, up from RM59 billion, and the Health Ministry RM45 billion, up from RM41 billion. "These funds will be used to repair schools and clinics, fix road conditions, and upgrade basic infrastructure, ensuring the rakyat enjoys better quality of life through responsible and equitable fiscal measures," Johan said.
The Star
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Appreciation announcement reflects government's concern for the people, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR: An announcement of appreciation for Malaysians, to be made on Wednesday (July 23), will reflect the Madani Government's concern for the people who have consistently supported its reform initiatives, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "May this announcement benefit the widest possible group of people and reflect our collective efforts to build a more just and prosperous future,' Anwar wrote in a Facebook post. Earlier on Tuesday (July 22), Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil shared that the Prime Minister would announce a special gesture of appreciation for all Malaysians on Wednesday morning. According to an infographic shared by Anwar, the announcement will be broadcast live at 10.30am on all major channels, including RTM, TV3, Astro Awani, Bernama TV and TVS, as well as on social media platforms such as Facebook Live. – Bernama
RNZ News
a day ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Sky TV to buy Three owner Discovery NZ for $1
Photo: 123RF Sky TV has agreed to fully acquire TV3 owner Discovery New Zealand for $1. Completion of the sale is expected on 1 August. More to come ... Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
New Zealand Americana/Alt-Country Artist Gina Malcolm Releases New Single Travellin' Heart
Leanne Malcolm has changed her tune in recent years. Known across New Zealand as a radio and television journalist and as the presenter of TV3's Nightline in the 90s, she has had a radical shift in career since 2021. Under her artist name Gina Malcolm (Leanne's middle name) she's been recording and releasing original music, fulfilling a dream that started in her 20s. Continuing a prolific run of single releases, earlier this year Malcolm released the double A-side single of the raw and rocking ' Temptress ' and the moody psychedelic noir of ' Knee Deep '. Now comes the pure alt-country and Americana sound of ' Travellin' Heart '. Produced by award-winning songwriter Matt Joe Gow, the song has an evocative and retro feel— reminiscent of Van Morrison with a classic Americana melancholy. The instrumentation is minimal but expressive, with Ryan Luckman 's beautifully melodic violin adding a poignant weight to Malcolm's musings on emotional longing and nostalgic romance. The song creates a soulful atmosphere without ever raising its voice, just honest craft, rich sound, and a hook that lingers like a long goodbye. The intimacy of ' Travellin' Hear t' creates the vibe of a late-night studio session. Each instrument is allowed to breathe – Matt's incredible Telecaster guitar hook, drummer Elmore Jones ' country groove and Rob P Murphy 's rolling bass line. ' I'd been wanting to write a pure country song for some time, and had written some early lyrics about holding on tight against a biting wind… a song about emptiness, loneliness, and restlessness,' says Malcolm. ' When Matt sent me a beautiful guitar melody, I adapted the words slightly and began crafting 'Travellin' Heart'. We worked together on it, and everything came together quickly. We both realised we had a really strong song! ' 'TRAVELLIN' HEART' IS OUT NOW ON BANDCAMP AND STREAMING SERVICES Music has always been a huge part of Malcolm's life. She got her first guitar when she was 11. Her mum played the piano and was a huge country music fan, and her father adored rock 'n' roll and blues. Malcolm sang in Queenstown covers bands after moving there with her young son and partner in 2002, but it wasn't until the pandemic that she found the courage to start recording and releasing her own material. A collaboration with Arrowtown's respected alt country artist Tom Maxwell led to a recording studio session at Sublime in Waitaki. Tom's band Killergrams played on five new songs and Malcolm was hooked. Malcolm's singles ' Don't Expect The World ', ' Crushing ' and ' Shadows ' were well received with airplay including RNZ's Music 101 and various other stations while the clip for ' Don't Expect The World ' won the Aotearoa Web Fest Best NZ Music Video award. Malcolm's new music career was profiled in a NZ Herald Canvas feature in 2023, and her Stonesy country song ' In The Night ' was featured on TVNZ's current affairs show 7 Sharp. As Malcolm explains, songwriting is a form of catharsis and healing for her. 'I definitely use songwriting as a way of dealing with painful and difficult times. Like many writers, it gives me an outlet for my emotions. And ever since I was very young, I've always been drawn to melancholic works – the darker side of human nature. I also don't mind a good rock-out to some very heavy bands! But I would consider my strongest leanings are towards the alt-country genre. I love the power and simplicity of a heartfelt country song.' ' I hope to be an inspiration for other older women who are seeking their true purpose," states Malcolm, reflecting on starting a music career at this point in her life."Generally, music and the arts are timeless.'
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: TV3's next big star aspires to be action hero like Iko Uwais
HIS elder half-sister may be a legend-of-sorts on big and small screens, but aspiring action hero Zairi Aziz, 23, wants to be his own man. Zairi, who hails from Hulu Langat in Selangor, is the younger brother of popular veteran actress Nasha Aziz, but he has always dreamed of becoming an action hero and looks up to Indonesian action hero Iko Uwais. Currently undergoing skills training as a stuntman from Action Floor, a local stunt development company, he has been doing stunts and acting in bit roles for two years. ACTION HERO Zairi was recently selected as one of two winners for TV3's 'Pencarian Pelakon Drama Sangat' actor and actress search, which was held at Balai Berita in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. He said: "I learnt silat during my schooldays, and in recent years I have excelled in mixed martial arts (MMA)." Among the well-known dramas he has appeared in is 'Anak-Anak Mafia' on Tonton. "While Iko Uwais of Indonesia has always been my idol, I also look up to our own action heroes especially Datuk Rosyam Nor, Fattah Amin, and Syafiq Kyle," he said. The chosen actress of the search was Ariana Yusof, 23, of Seremban. A model, television host and actress, she is about to complete a civil engineering degree course at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in Batu Pahat, Johor. The second of three siblings, she admires award-winning actress Siti Saleha Baharom who excels in character-acting, and Amir Ahnaf who delves into troubled characters and shines. "I always look up to actors and actresses who play characters who are out of the ordinary, somewhat troubled and complex. "Siti Saleha and Amir are two of the promising ones, and I aim to follow in their footsteps," she said. Ariana would love to star in dramas and movies that do not require her to be "just a pretty face". "I also hope to play strong and independent women, who go through interesting character development, such as those portrayed by Siti Saleha and Erma Fatima," she said. 'Pencarian Pelakon Drama Sangat' was held in conjunction with TV3's 41st anniversary celebrations, and it was Malaysia's first private television station's initiative to find the country's next big actor and actress. This search was paired with TV3's initiative 'Pitch Story Anda Ke TV3' to find the country's next best filmmaker, be he or she a producer, director or screenwriter. AUDITIONS Widely-read literature graduate Aireen Nur Yusrina Saliman, 22, saw her original movie idea 'Takdir Tak Bernama' win 'Pitch Your Story'. Aireen said: "I have been reading novels since primary school and I excel in both Malay and English literature. "My favourite authors are Indonesian literary giant Hamka and American novelist John Green." Auditions started on May 31 and lasted a month, and the search was a "thank you" to all viewers for their strong support all these years. Only one actor and one actress were chosen for 'Drama Sangat', and they were given exclusive, three-year contracts with Altenate Records, and a chance to star in TV3's latest dramas. The judges for the actor search were popular director Erma Fatima and producer Datuk Hasniza Nordin. GRADUATES TV3 broadcast content general manager Marlia Zul Amran said that the movie and drama pitch saw mostly university graduates from around the country suggest original ideas for future dramas and movies. "Auditions took place at Universiti Malaya on June 14 and Taylor's University on June 21." She added that the winning idea received RM5,000, while the second and third-placed ideas received RM3,000 and RM1,000 respectively. Erma said that she was impressed with this year's actor and actress hopefuls, as they came for their auditions well-prepared and were "natural" on stage. "Competition has been very stiff this time, and this is a clear sign that our country has many hidden gems waiting to be discovered for the big and small screens," she said. LOCAL Marlia said that both programmes were aimed at strengthening local content and discovering individuals who could be the "bright future" of Malaysian television and film. "We received more than 300 applicants this year for both contests, and we are confident that these numbers will grow in the years to come." Marlia said that they shortlised 10 men and 10 women for the finals of the contest, and they were aged below 25. As for the movie and drama ideas pitched, five made it to the final round. "Not only must they be talented, they must also look good, communicate well, be punctual, disciplined, resilient and humble." The event was also attended by Alternate Records' senior manager Prakesh Swaminathan and drama content manager Faeza Farrah.
