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New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Chinese chambers of commerce welcomes govt's measures to ease cost of living
KUALA LUMPUR: The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) has welcomed the government's newly announced measures aimed at easing the cost of living and boosting consumer spending. "These measures would help to ease the cost of living and spur household consumption expenditure," ACCCIM said in a statement. Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made a highly anticipated announcement, which he described as an 'extraordinary tribute' to Malaysians. The measures include a one-off RM100 cash aid for all Malaysians aged 18 and above, the freezing of toll hikes on 10 highways, and continued Rahmah Madani sales. The government also announced that the RON95 petrol price will be reduced to RM1.99 per litre when targeted subsidies begin this September. In addition, Sept 15 has been declared a public holiday for Malaysia Day celebrations. The association said that the fuel price drop would benefit around 18 million car and motorcycle users, pending further details on the eligibility criteria. ACCCIM expressed hope that the targeted subsidy mechanism would be easy to implement to ensure a smooth rollout. Looking ahead, ACCCIM said it was looking forward to the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) on July 31 and the 2026 Budget on Oct 10, with a focus on sustaining economic resilience and development continuity. The chamber urged the government to avoid new tax measures or policies that could further burden businesses, which are already grappling with rising costs.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
ACCCIM welcomes new measures to ease cost of living
PETALING JAYA: The slew of measures announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will help to ease the cost of living and spur household consumption expenditure, says the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM). "ACCCIM welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement of measures to show its appreciation to rakyat, including one-off cash aid of RM100 for all Malaysians aged 18 and above under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid initiative, Rahmah madani sales and the freezing of toll hikes. "Malaysians will enjoy a lower RON95 petrol price of RM1.99 per litre once the targeted subsidies come into effect in September," it said in a statement on Wednesday (July 23). ALSO READ: All adult Malaysians to receive RM100 under Sara programme for Merdeka Day, says PM Pending the detailed announcement of the fuel subsidy rationalisation mechanism in terms of eligible criteria, it said the reduction in price of RON95 petrol by 6sen per litre would benefit around 18 million car and motorcycle users. ACCCIM also said it hoped the new targeted subsidies would be implemented smoothly. ALSO READ: RON95 petrol price to be lowered to RM1.99 per litre for eligible Malaysians On the special holiday on Sept 15 in appreciation of Hari Malaysia celebration on Sept 16, ACCCIM said this would encourage local travel over the long weekend break but this could lead to additional labour costs, which would add to the overall cost of doing business. ACCCIM also said it was looking forward to the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) on July 31 as well as Budget 2026 later, adding that the government's five-year blueprint and spending plan would ensure the continuity of national development, prioritise sustainable economic resilience and high-quality investment. ALSO READ: Putrajaya postpones toll hikes for 10 highways, says PM Anwar ACCCIM also said it hoped that there would be no tax measures or policies introduced under Budget 2026, that would further burden businesses already reeling from cost increases. "Malaysia must continue to maintain pro-investment and business-friendly policies to attract and retain both domestic and foreign investments, fostering economic growth," it added.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Rally an attempt to remain politically relevant says PM's aide
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin has dismissed the upcoming "Turun Anwar" protest as a political ploy by a "small group" seeking to maintain relevance. He asserted that the demonstration, scheduled to take place in the federal capital on July 26, was not a genuine expression of public discontent as claimed by its organisers. "This protest is not about the rakyat, it is about a small group attempting to reverse what they failed to achieve through the ballot box," he said in his speech at the National Economic Forum organised by the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia here on Thursday (July 17). He said the government had been given the mandate through a free and fair election and had been working tirelessly since then to resolve long-standing issues left by previous administrations such as institutional decay, weaknesses in governance and fiscal mismanagement. "If a change is desired, contest the next election, that is the democratic way... Malaysia must not be distracted by this noise. What we need now is maturity, unity and delivery," he added. Shamsul Iskandar said what the country needed most was wise leadership and not leaders chasing headlines or popularity contests, but those who think beyond themselves, who ask, "What will this country look like when I am gone?" A wise leader, he said, is a leader who "builds institutions, not ego; builds trust, not tribes; builds for the next generation, not the next election". "This is precisely the leadership style of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: restrained, principled and focused on service – leading reforms one by one, rebuilding trust, strengthening institutions and ensuring that no one is left behind. "It is the same leadership that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar commands at the regional level as Asean chair, which gathered top diplomats of the United States, China and Russia in Kuala Lumpur recently, an impressive diplomatic achievement," he said. – Bernama
Barnama
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
'Turun Anwar' Protest An Attempt To Remain Politically Relevant, Says PM's Aide
KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, has dismissed the upcoming 'Turun Anwar' protest as a political ploy by a 'small group' seeking to maintain relevance. He asserted that the demonstration, scheduled to take place in the federal capital on July 26, is not a genuine expression of public discontent as claimed by its organisers. 'This (protest) is not about the rakyat, it is about a small group attempting to reverse what they failed to achieve through the ballot box,' he said in his speech at the National Economic Forum organised by the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia here today. bootstrap slideshow He said the government was given the mandate through a free and fair election and had been working tirelessly since then to resolve long-standing issues left by previous administrations such as institutional decay, weaknesses in governance and fiscal mismanagement. 'If a change is desired, contest the next election, that is the democratic must not be distracted by this noise. What we need now is maturity, unity and delivery,' he added. Shamsul Iskandar said, what the country needed most is wise leadership and not leaders chasing headlines or popularity contests — but leaders who think beyond themselves, who ask 'What will this country look like when I am gone?.' bootstrap slideshow A wise leader he said, is a leader who 'Builds institutions, not ego; Builds trust, not tribes; Builds for the next generation, not the next election.' 'This is precisely the leadership style of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: restrained, principled, and focused on service — leading reforms one by one, rebuilding trust, strengthening institutions and ensuring that no one is left behind. 'It is the same wise leadership that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar commands at the regional level as ASEAN Chair that gathered the top diplomats of United States, China and Russia in Kuala Lumpur recently which was an impressive diplomatic achievement,' he said. -- BERNAMA
The Star
13-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Inflation a key focus in Johor's bid for developed status by 2030, says MB
JOHOR BARU: Tackling inflation will be a key focus for Johor as the state moves towards achieving developed status by 2030, says Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. He noted that the cost of living, particularly in Johor Baru, is becoming increasingly expensive for locals compared to other parts of the country. "My main challenge now is addressing inflation in Johor. Thousands of Singaporeans cross the Causeway, especially on weekends, to do their grocery shopping here, and we are seeing food and rental prices going up," he said. "For example, a plate of nasi lemak with fried chicken here is around RM9, while the same dish in Kuala Lumpur costs only RM7. That clearly shows Johor is becoming more expensive." He made these remarks during his speech at the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia's (ACCCIM) 79th annual general meeting at a hotel here on Sunday (July 13). Onn Hafiz emphasized the need for the state government to find effective mechanisms to tackle inflation and ease the financial burden on the people. "Recently, a developer told me that about 300 units of his housing project were sold out completely. This shows that properties here are selling like hotcakes. "But at the same time, property prices in Johor are either rising or already higher than some in Singapore. We need to develop more affordable housing so that locals still have a chance to own a home," he added. Onn Hafiz, who is also the Machap assemblyman, called on the business community to work closely with the state government to tackle these issues. "The reason I am raising this is because I know I cannot do this alone. We must work together to make Johor, and Malaysia as a whole, more prosperous. "We are ready to collaborate with you hand in hand to ensure that this is not a zero-sum game but a win-win situation for everyone, especially the people of Johor," he said.
