Latest news with #Taska
Daily Express
7 days ago
- General
- Daily Express
Taska Plaque for all childcare centres
TAWAU: A total of 230 registered childcare centres (Taska) throughout Sabah will be given the Registered Taska Plaque as proof of successful registration, said Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. She said this total comprises 196 institutional, 17 home-based, 16 workplace, and one community childcare centres. Advertisement 'To date, a total of 3,198 Taska have been registered nationwide and 230 of them are in Sabah, which will receive the plaque as proof of their successful registration,' she said. She said the installation of the Registered Taska Plaque is an initiative by her Ministry through the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to instil confidence in parents and the public that these childcare centres comply with the Child Care Centre Act 1984 and the Child Care Centre Regulations 2012.
Malay Mail
01-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
As RM3 hike looms, Bintulu's small businesses say egg subsidy removal puts pressure on food, childcare costs
BINTULU, May 1 — The gradual reduction and upcoming removal of egg subsidies is expected to significantly impact childcare centres, home-based businesses, and consumers in Sarawak, especially with egg prices already higher in the state compared to Peninsular Malaysia. Chairperson of the Persatuan Pengasuh dan Pendidik Awal Kanak-Kanak Bintulu (PAKB), Maraini Jaafar, 57, said that Grade B eggs are currently priced at RM12.60 per tray in Sarawak, compared to RM8.10 in the peninsula. With subsidies being phased out, prices are expected to increase by RM0.05 to RM0.10 per egg starting today, which is equal to a hike of RM1.50 to RM3 per tray. 'By August 2025, we anticipate a 50 per cent rise in egg prices. It's becoming more difficult to obtain local Grade B eggs due to supply restrictions,' she said. For Taska operators who prepare up to four meals a day for young children, eggs have long been a go-to protein source due to their affordability. But the sharp increase in prices, alongside rising costs for vegetables, fruits, and wet goods, which have jumped by up to 35 per cent, is adding serious strain. 'Though it seems like a small price change, it affects our entire meal planning and budget. Operational costs are rising rapidly,' said Maraini, who runs Taska Permata Kasih and Taska Penyayang Mama. She warned that the burden won't just fall on low-income (B40) families but also on middle-income childcare providers often excluded from financial assistance due to gross income thresholds that don't reflect real operating costs. The expected price hike may also drive up costs for other egg-based products such as pastries, bread, and local kuih, she added. Maraini called for a more equitable subsidy model and proposed targeted allocations for essential services like childcare, where nutrition for growing children is a priority. Meanwhile, Francis Ngu, a grocery store operator, said the impact of the subsidy removal brings little change as regular eggs have long been missing from the local market. 'Regular grade eggs are rarely seen on shelves, with only small quantities occasionally available. Instead, higher-priced options such as selenium-enriched and organic eggs dominate the market. 'When they do appear, it's just a few trays here and there. Mostly what's available is grade AAA eggs that cost up to RM20 per tray,' he added. However, Ngu warned that the move may provide businesses a convenient reason to raise prices across related products, deepening consumer frustration. The decision to remove the subsidy, part of a larger policy shift to allow egg prices to float according to market rates, was announced with the aim of stabilising supply and ensuring fair competition. However, in places like Bintulu, where consumers already face inflated prices and limited choices, the policy change has deepened frustration rather than eased burdens. For home-based baker Mommy Sam, who operates 'Mommy Sam Home Bakery', the change could jeopardise her operations. Eggs are a staple in her cakes and pastries, and even a small cost increase will affect her margins. 'Raising prices could drive away customers. Malaysia's market is very price-sensitive,' she said. She added that smaller players like herself could be squeezed out of the market, as larger commercial bakeries can better absorb cost increases, creating an uneven playing field. 'The gap between us and big bakeries could widen,' she said, calling for greater support for small-scale food entrepreneurs navigating the challenging economic climate. — The Borneo Post
Borneo Post
01-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
End of egg subsidy increases pressure on childcare operators, bakers in Sarawak
Eggs on display at a local supermarket. – Photo by Chimon Upon BINTULU (May 1): The gradual reduction and upcoming removal of egg subsidies is expected to significantly impact childcare centres, home-based businesses, and consumers in Sarawak, especially with egg prices already higher in the state compared to Peninsular Malaysia. Chairperson of the Persatuan Pengasuh dan Pendidik Awal Kanak-Kanak Bintulu (PAKB), Maraini Jaafar, 57, said that Grade B eggs are currently priced at RM12.60 per tray in Sarawak, compared to RM8.10 in the peninsula. With subsidies being phased out, prices are expected to increase by RM0.05 to RM0.10 per egg starting today, which is equal to a hike of RM1.50 to RM3 per tray. 'By August 2025, we anticipate a 50 per cent rise in egg prices. It's becoming more difficult to obtain local Grade B eggs due to supply restrictions,' she said. For Taska operators who prepare up to four meals a day for young children, eggs have long been a go-to protein source due to their affordability. Maraini Jaafar But the sharp increase in prices, alongside rising costs for vegetables, fruits, and wet goods, which have jumped by up to 35 per cent, is adding serious strain. 'Though it seems like a small price change, it affects our entire meal planning and budget. Operational costs are rising rapidly,' said Maraini, who runs Taska Permata Kasih and Taska Penyayang Mama. She warned that the burden won't just fall on low-income (B40) families but also on middle-income childcare providers often excluded from financial assistance due to gross income thresholds that don't reflect real operating costs. The expected price hike may also drive up costs for other egg-based products such as pastries, bread, and local kuih, she added. Maraini called for a more equitable subsidy model and proposed targeted allocations for essential services like childcare, where nutrition for growing children is a priority. Meanwhile, Francis Ngu, a grocery store operator, said the impact of the subsidy removal brings little change as regular eggs have long been missing from the local market. 'Regular grade eggs are rarely seen on shelves, with only small quantities occasionally available. Instead, higher-priced options such as selenium-enriched and organic eggs dominate the market. 'When they do appear, it's just a few trays here and there. Mostly what's available is grade AAA eggs that cost up to RM20 per tray,' he added. Francis Ngu However, Ngu warned that the move may provide businesses a convenient reason to raise prices across related products, deepening consumer frustration. The decision to remove the subsidy, part of a larger policy shift to allow egg prices to float according to market rates, was announced with the aim of stabilising supply and ensuring fair competition. However, in places like Bintulu, where consumers already face inflated prices and limited choices, the policy change has deepened frustration rather than eased burdens. For home-based baker Mommy Sam, who operates 'Mommy Sam Home Bakery', the change could jeopardise her operations. Eggs are a staple in her cakes and pastries, and even a small cost increase will affect her margins. 'Raising prices could drive away customers. Malaysia's market is very price-sensitive,' she said. She added that smaller players like herself could be squeezed out of the market, as larger commercial bakeries can better absorb cost increases, creating an uneven playing field. 'The gap between us and big bakeries could widen,' she said, calling for greater support for small-scale food entrepreneurs navigating the challenging economic climate. egg subsidy cuts essential food items foodstuff
CBS News
18-02-2025
- CBS News
Saddle Brook, N.J. woman shot in the face with crossbow. A Hasbrouck Heights man is in custody.
A Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey man is facing attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting a woman in the face with a crossbow in Saddle Brook. It happened at around 5:55 p.m. Monday at Birds By Joe 2, an exotic bird store on Route 46. The suspect, 53-year-old Raymond Carey of Hasbrouck Heights, was arrested less than 24 hours later in Pine Beach. He faces attempted murder, weapons and obstruction charges. "He takes out the bow... and shoots her" Deniz Taska, the victim's friend, said the suspect was a customer who casually walked into the store and then left in a car. "As soon as he comes to the store, he takes out the bow from his thing and shoots her," Taska said. The victim ran into a nearby bike store screaming after she was shot. The aftermath of the incident was caught on video. "There was a fair bit of blood and she was holding a napkin to her face," said bike store employee Ryan Oracz. "I jumped up from the corner looked down the aisle, blood coming from her mouth and she had something in her hands. So I met her halfway and she proceeds to hand me a crossbow." Oracz called 911. Police arrived within minutes. The victim was rushed to the hospital, but was back in the shop Tuesday, according to her friends. Saddle Brook police and Bergen County prosecutors partnered with other area law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, to track the suspect down. They identified his vehicle and arrested him in Pine Beach Tuesday just before 1 p.m. "She is doing better right now, but she is traumatized. She doesn't want to talk to anyone," Deniz Taska said. "She has a broken teeth and injured lips and cheek. She has - we have no idea why he did it." "We don't know why he did it" Taska said the suspect is a regular customer. "She said he comes here... every other week to get seeds and other stuff. So we don't know why he did it," Taska said. Back in January, a $7,000 parrot was stolen from the same shop. The African grey parrot was ultimately returned. At this point, however, there doesn't appear to be a connection between the two incidents. "We don't think so, too, but we don't know because they couldn't catch this guy either. The guy is still out there. They might be related," Taska said. People who know the victim say she's devoted to her parrots. "I just want to wish the best for [her], that she heals quickly and she gets back to feeding the birds, 'cause they can't go without the food. She literally hand feeds each one of them. That is why she has such a successful business," print shop owner Victor Jaramillo said.
