Latest news with #pro-PakatanHarapan
Focus Malaysia
10 hours ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Will there be more single Malaysians after July 1 as SST causes nuptials to be delayed, cancelled?
IT MAY be a tad dramatic – taxes will force you stay single. Highlighting the impact of the 8% tax levied in practical terms, finfluencer Mashitah Sidek (@ringgitzz) explained (rather dramatically) how much more costly it will be for couples to tie the knot after July 1. This comes about as Malaysia will implement a significant expansion of its Sales and Services Tax (SST) to include new services such as rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare education and beauty. Shared by pro-opposition proponent Siditious (@solidistor) on X, the post is obviously aimed at creating even more discontent at the Madani government for expanding its SST scope. The lawyer observed that more people would choose to stay single with the hike in matrimonial costs following the 8% SST imposition. Makin ramai la single lepas ni. Nak kahwin pun kena SST 8%. — Siditious (@Solisidtor) June 23, 2025 There's no denying that the impending SST which comes into effect next month will erode Malaysians' spending power regardless of their wealth level (imagine traders upping their prices in tandem with rising raw produces). The post by Mashitah has generated a lot of interest as evident from it having garnered 552.6K views at the time of writing alongside 3.8K likes, 2K shares and 108 comments. On the one hand, there are the Madani bashers who are seemingly sick and tired of the 'lies and unfulfilled promises'. Things are very different now from what was said during canvassing for election, it was claimed. One commenter even trotted out what he perceived would be the normal excuses proffered by government apologists. These included: 'Are you getting married every day?' 'If you can afford to spend RM20-30k, what is 8%?' 'You are not the only person paying this tax.' 'Just get hitched in Thailand. Even that has to be taught.' However, more than a few had differing views. For starters, there were those who simply thought that the young lady in the video was just spouting rubbish and by extension the poster who shared the clip. Getting married is easy, claimed one commenter, while blaming the likes of the poster for complicating matters. Yes, the cost-of-living crisis bites. But will a supposed RM800 hike cause a person to cancel a 'one-off or one's a lifetime' wedding? More pertinently, a number of commenters shared very useful advice – live within one's own means. Do not be wasteful with grand celebrations and large dowries during these tough economic times. A more frugal approach was counselled, beginning with a smaller guest list for the kenduri (wedding feast). Another commenter jokingly urged couples to simply beat the July 1 deadline. 'Where's the proof?' demanded one pro-Pakatan Harapan (PH) key board warrior who was clearly cynical about claims of declining marriages. At the end of the day, one commenter observed that he has never come across couples not tying the knot because of taxes! – June 26, 2025 Main image credit: BiblioAsia
Focus Malaysia
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
'Keep it plain simple is PAS's secret to retain power in Kedah – turn up for prayers, ‘kenduri' & funerals'
WHAT agenda? What manifesto? That seems to be the jibe aimed squarely at the chin of Kedah PAS and its apparent plan to retain power in the rice bowl state. Outlining a three-point plan on X, pro-Pakatan Harapan (PH) influencer surmised that the secret recipe for the Islamist party to stay in power include: Attend funerals Attend kenduri (feast) when invited Lead solat prayer as imam once a while 'Lack of infrastructure such as roads, meaningful facilities of any sort or even a manifesto is of little consequence,' the former Kuala Selangor PKR division chief candidate who is a lawyer by profession sarcastically observed. 3 Rahsia PAS mengekalkan kemenangan di Kedah: 1. Ziarah kematian 2. Datang jemputan kenduri 3. Jadi imam solat sekali sekala ***Biarpun jalan takdak, apa facilities pun takdak. Biarpun manifesto si Badrul tu sampai skrg pun takdak. Takpa. Tu semua tak penting🙊 — Faizal Rahman (@FaizalR98528) June 15, 2025 Many seemingly PH backers – including oner Kedah electorate – concurred with the poster, attributing the matter to the village mentality of Kedah folks. One netizen pointed out that Kedahans seem to be in awe of their Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor who is seen as a courageous leader who is unhindered by his political baggage. The Tadika PASTI or PAS-run Islamic Early Childhood Education Centre which provides cheap kindergarten education to the B40 and M40 segment was key in the party's success, argued one commenter. Two years of being continuously exposed to the white circle on green backdrop (as depicted by the PAS logo) would surely endear parents of the children to indirectly support the Islamist party. 'Keep the people stupid and they will remain loyal' seems to be the sentiment of one commenter who argued that such tactics were not privy to PAS but also to UMNO. However, there were some who defended the Kedahans' choice by arguing that to kampung folk, certain things are more important than issues of infrastructure. For them, having sufficient food to eat and receiving occasional aid were enough for them. One commenter did point out that turning up at 'KBSM (kenduri, bersalin, sakit, mati)' (literally, feast, childbirth, illness, death) is an effective method of engaging with the electorate. A presumably pro-opposition commenter challenged the PH leadership to do better for Kedahans aside from spreading malicious falsehoods. 'Do you think we have no internet?' he queried. This being the arena of politics, nothing is quite ever so black-and-white. Malaysians are now well aware of the fluidity of the situation and how perceptions can change very quickly. Yes, the legal eagle here does have a point. PAS does seem lacking in clear direction. Its effectiveness as an opposition party at federal level leaves much to be desired. While Kedah's economy is stagnant, there is argument on the flipside that Kedahans are simply not swayed by PH's promises. If they choose to lead a simple and unfussy life dictated by religion, who is anyone to criticise their democratic choice? As for being ever present at kenduri and social gatherings, what's wrong with that? Isn't that what elected representatives are supposed to do – reach out to their constituents? All the better if there is good food involved! – June 19, 2025
