Latest news with #Yusrizal
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
RON95 price cap a relief for SMEs, say Kedah business and consumer groups
ALOR STAR: Kedah business and consumer groups have lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement to maintain the RON95 petrol price, calling it a responsible move. The Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM) Kedah chapter said the Prime Minister's assurance offers relief to the business community and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating under mounting cost-of-living pressures. "The statement is seen as a responsible measure, particularly for businesses and SMEs navigating a fragile economic environment. "However, it must be followed by broader and more transparent economic reforms, not merely short-term subsidies without a long-term direction," it said in a statement today. DPMM Kedah warned that any abrupt removal of the RON95 subsidy could trigger a fresh wave of inflation, jeopardising the price stability of essential goods and mounting pressure on micro and small businesses. Citing an SME Bank study, the group said a 10-sen increase in RON95 prices could raise the Consumer Price Index (CPI) by 0.27 percentage points. "If the subsidy were removed entirely, inflation could surge by as much as 3.1 percentage points. "This highlights the sensitivity of the Malaysian economy to changes in fuel prices," it said, adding that any shift to a targeted model must be gradual and data-driven. "Without a comprehensive database, genuine recipients risk being excluded, further widening inequality," DPMM Kedah said. It said fuel subsidies, including for liquefied natural gas (LNG), are placing long-term pressure on the national budget, with Malaysia spending RM81 billion in 2023, much of it on RON95. The group urged the government to expand dialogue with industry players in designing a subsidy rationalisation plan to avoid sudden shocks to the domestic business ecosystem. Meanwhile, Consumer Association of Kedah (Cake) president Yusrizal Yusoff welcomed the prime minister's commitment not to raise RON95 prices, while addressing the misuse of subsidies by foreigners and the wealthy. "Consumers are relieved by the assurance. "Many Malaysians are already burdened by high living costs. "A fuel price hike would only worsen the situation," he said. Yusrizal said most Malaysians rely on RON95 for personal and business transport, including logistics. He called for strict enforcement to prevent foreigners and luxury vehicle owners from using RON95, which is meant for ordinary Malaysians. "We already have a system where luxury cars and foreigners must use unsubsidised RON97. "This policy just needs to be enforced effectively." However, he cautioned against mechanisms that would complicate or slow down fuel purchases for locals, such as mandatory identity checks. "If users are required to scan their identification cards, this could delay transactions at petrol stations. Many outlets already provide convenient options like debit card pumps. "A cumbersome system may only frustrate users," he said. Yusrizal urged the government to adopt a practical and efficient approach to managing RON95 purchases to protect subsidies without inconveniencing the public.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Kedah's vape licence freeze move lauded, but online sales still a concern
ALOR STAR: The Kedah Consumer Association (Cake) has commended the state government's decision to cease renewing business licences for vape and electronic cigarette retailers. Its president, Yusrizal Yusof, praised the initiative as a positive step towards curbing vape addiction and encouraging a healthier lifestyle among Kedahans. However, he also called for continued vigilance in monitoring online vape sales. "The move targets sales at physical premises, but retailers may still operate from home or via online platforms," he told the New Straits Times. "Therefore, we urge the government to ensure that all vape-related sales remain in compliance with existing regulations." Yesterday, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced that the state government would not renew business licences for vape retailers expiring this year. This measure forms part of a broader, stricter policy aimed at tackling the escalating threat of synthetic drug abuse. He highlighted growing concerns over the misuse of synthetic drugs via vape products, which can be easily adulterated with illicit substances and distributed widely—including among school students. Yusrizal also urged law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to root out illicit substances in vape products. "We rarely hear of licensed vape retailers being involved in the sale of illegal substances. These products are mainly distributed by drug peddlers through online platforms," he said. "We therefore call on the government to launch a targeted crackdown on those selling 'magic mushroom' vape products." He added that curbing vape usage would require serious and sustained effort from the authorities, given its growing popularity as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. "Even in Japan, vaping is gaining traction among individuals attempting to quit smoking, and we're witnessing a similar trend in many other countries," he said. "Despite decades of anti-smoking campaigns, between 20 to 25 per cent of our population still smokes. Vaping is often seen as an alternative for those trying to quit smoking." In a related appeal, Cake also told the state government to consider introducing restrictions on the sale of alcohol and conventional cigarettes as part of broader efforts to promote public health. From an economic standpoint, Yusrizal acknowledged the need for a mitigation plan to address potential losses in tax revenue stemming from the vape sales ban in business premises. "We understand that the federal government collects taxes on vape products. Therefore, the government will need to formulate a strategy to offset the revenue shortfall resulting from the prohibition of vape sales in licensed premises," he said.
New Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Call to regulate medicine and treatment prices at private healthcare centres to prevent profiteering
ALOR STAR: The government should regulate the price of medicine and treatments charged by private healthcare providers to prevent profiteering. While lauding the move to enforce a mandatory price labelling directive for medicines, the Consumer Association of Kedah (Cake) president Yusrizal Yusoff called for active steps to regulate the prices of medicine sold in private hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. "While the Transparency in Medicine Pricing Mechanism initiative represents progress, it is not seen as a comprehensive solution to the issue of healthcare affordability because it does not regulate or cap those prices. "This leaves room for profiteering, with some parties continuing to raise medicine prices year after year. "Treatment and consultation fees should also be capped to prevent excessive charges by private healthcare providers," he said in a statement today. Yusrizal added that the unchecked rise in prices had disproportionately affected low-income consumers. "What is truly needed is not just price transparency, but real price control. Affordable healthcare and medicine must be a priority. "Many are now forced to forgo proper medication or turn to traditional treatments, whose efficacy and safety are not guaranteed," he said. The association also called for routine audits of medicine prices under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 to prevent unjustified hikes by irresponsible parties. The mandatory price labelling for medicines at private healthcare centres and community pharmacies was implemented yesterday. The move was taken to help the public make informed choices in selecting the most affordable when managing their medication expenses.
New Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Kedah deserves RM200mil yearly for feeding nation, says consumer group
ALOR STAR: The Consumers Association of Kedah (Cake) has called on the federal government to allocate an annual RM200 million incentive to the Kedah state government in recognition of its role as the nation's primary rice producer. Its president Yusrizal Yusoff said the state had dedicated 113,000ha of land exclusively for padi cultivation — land which could otherwise be utilised for more lucrative industrial or commercial development. "Kedah produces over 450,000 tonnes of rice per season, contributing nearly 45 per cent of the national supply. This contribution comes at a significant cost to the state and its people, particularly the farmers, who labour in challenging conditions and are regularly exposed to fertilisers, pesticides, and the elements," he said in a statement today. Yusrizal said that while states such as Negri Sembilan had repurposed their padi fields for industrial use decades ago, Kedah had preserved its agricultural zoning to uphold national food security. He also cited a royal decree issued in June last year by the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, who urged the federal government to approve a RM200 million allocation in support of the state's efforts. "This is not merely a sacrifice of land, but of economic potential. These areas could have been transformed into industrial zones, attracting investment and yielding higher income," he added. Yusrizal's remarks came in response to the Kedah government's rejection of a proposed RM41 million fiscal incentive from the Town and Country Planning Department (PlanMalaysia), which was intended to safeguard the 113,000ha of padi land. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor reportedly had said during a state assembly sitting at Wisma Darul Aman that the amount fell far short of the RM200 million previously requested. Yusrizal said that Cake fully supported the state government's decision. "RM41 million is wholly insufficient, considering the extent of land preserved and the economic opportunities forgone. A RM200 million annual incentive would provide vital support for the state's continued development while acknowledging the contribution of its farmers," he said. He urged the federal government to reassess the proposed scheme, stressing that a fair and adequate allocation was necessary to sustain Kedah's economic growth without undermining its critical role in ensuring the country's rice supply. In June last year, His Majesty Sultan Sallehuddin had urged the federal government to approve the RM200 million request.
