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Daily Express
19 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Delay RON95 subsidy rationalisation, says petrol dealers group
Published on: Tuesday, June 03, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 03, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan recently announced that the RON95 subsidy rationalisation would begin in the second half of the year. PETALING JAYA: The Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) has called on the government to delay rationalising RON95 subsidies until critical issues affecting station sustainability are addressed. PDAM president Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz, whose association represents more than 4,000 petrol stations nationwide, said dealer margins, fixed under the automatic pricing mechanism, had not been revised since 2019 and no longer reflected current operating costs. He also voiced concern over the merchant discount rate (MDR) imposed on card payments, which increases as fuel prices rise but leaves dealers' per-litre commissions untouched. 'Without a margin revision, small and medium-volume station operators will face losses from the very first day of the RON95 subsidy rationalisation implementation,' he said in a statement today. 'And as pump prices increase under the rationalisation, the MDR rises accordingly, but dealer commissions remain static, resulting in a further erosion of margins.' Finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan recently announced that the subsidy rationalisation would begin in the second half of the year. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the cuts would mainly target foreigners and Malaysia's top 5% to 10% of income earners. Khairul also took aim at a group representing Bumiputera fuel retailers, which claimed there had been no consultation with dealers on the rationalisation plan. He dismissed the claim as 'inaccurate and misleading', saying PDAM was the government-recognised umbrella body for petrol dealers and had been in formal talks with the domestic trade and finance ministries. 'We urge all stakeholders to put aside differences and unite behind a common objective: to support a fair and sustainable targeted subsidy system without neglecting the economic realities faced at the operational level,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
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New Straits Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Govt urged to defer RON95 subsidy rationalisation implementation
KUALA LUMPUR: The Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia (PDAM) has urged the government to postpone the implementation of the RON95 subsidy rationalisation until two critical issues that directly affect the sustainability of the industry are resolved. Representing operators of 4,000 petrol stations nationwide, the association warned that these unresolved concerns could threaten the viability of petrol station operators, particularly those running small and medium-volume outlets. Its president, Datuk Khairul Annuar Abdul Aziz, said one of the issues involves the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM), which no longer reflects current operating costs, having remained unchanged since 2019. "Without a margin revision, small and medium-volume station operators will face losses from the very first day of the RON95 subsidy rationalisation implementation," he said in a statement. The second issue, Khairul Annuar said, relates to the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). "MDR charges are calculated as a percentage of the sale price, while dealers' commissions are based on litres sold. "As pump prices increase under the RON95 subsidy rationalisation, MDR rises accordingly, but dealer commissions remain static, resulting in further erosion of margins." Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan had recently announced that the rationalisation of RON95 fuel subsidies would be implemented in the second half of this year. He had also said the Finance Ministry would continue with the subsidy rationalisation process, with the current focus on identifying the groups eligible to receive the subsidies. On another matter, Khairul Annuar also criticised a group claiming to represent Bumiputera fuel retailers, which alleged that no consultation had taken place with dealers regarding the rationalisation plan. "The claim that there has been no consultation with station operators is inaccurate and misleading to the public. "As the only association that has represented the industry for over 40 years, we remain guided by the principles of collaboration and transparency. "PDAM is open to working with any party that genuinely seeks to advance the interests of the industry based on facts and responsible engagement, without misrepresenting public perception or politicising sensitive issues."
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
AI Agents To Agentic AI: What's The Difference In The Automation Game
The generative AI boom, catalyzed by OpenAI's ChatGPT in late 2022, ushered in a new era of intelligent systems. But as businesses push beyond static language models, two paradigms have emerged in automation, central to the future of enterprise AI: AI Agents and Agentic AI. While both represent an evolution from generative systems, their operational scopes are redefining how organizations approach automation, decision-making, and AI transformation. As enterprise leaders seek to integrate next-gen AI into their workflows, understanding the distinctions between AI Agents and Agentic AI for automation—and their distinct strategic advantages—has now become an operational imperative. Traditional AI Agents are autonomous software systems that execute specific, goal-oriented tasks using tools like APIs and databases. They are typically built on top of large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4 or Claude 3.5, and excel in domains like customer service, scheduling, internal search, and email prioritization. What differentiates AI Agents from generative AI is their tool-augmented intelligence—they don't just respond to prompts; they plan, act, and iterate based on user goals set up earlier in the process. Popular implementations include OpenAI's Operator or ClickUp Brain—agents that autonomously complete HR tasks, automate workflows, or even handle enterprise search across documentation platforms. According to recent benchmarks, AI Agents have reduced customer support ticket resolution time by over 40% and increased internal knowledge retrieval accuracy by 29%. These capabilities underscore their utility in modular, well-defined environments. However, as enterprises grow more complex, the need for multi-agent orchestration becomes paramount. Agentic AI represents an architectural leap beyond standalone agents. These systems are composed of multiple specialized agents—each performing distinct subtasks—coordinated by a central orchestrator or decentralized communication layer. Think of it as an intelligent ecosystem rather than a single-function intelligent tool. Agentic systems shine in high-complexity environments requiring goal decomposition, contextual memory, dynamic planning, and inter-agent negotiation. In applications like supply chain optimization, autonomous robotics, and research automation, they outperform single-agent systems by enabling concurrent execution, feedback loops, and strategic adaptability. Consider a real-world use case: a research lab using a multi-agent AutoGen pipeline to write grant proposals. One agent retrieves prior funded documents, another summarizes scientific literature, a third aligns objectives with funding requirements, and a fourth formats the proposal. Together, they produce drafts in hours, not weeks—reducing overhead and boosting approval rates. Agentic AI also introduces persistent memory, semantic coordination, and reflective reasoning—capabilities essential for adaptive learning and long-term task fulfillment. While promising, both AI Agents and Agentic AI face notable challenges. AI Agents struggle with hallucinations, brittleness in prompt design, and limited context retention. Agentic AI, on the other hand, contends with coordination failures, emergent unpredictability, and explainability concerns. While the challenges are prevalent for both automation approaches AI Agents and Agentic AI, emerging solutions are on the rise, and its only a matter of time before we work out the kinks and we live in a world run by agents. Although we're still very much in the infancy stages, AI continues its meteoric rise and the transition from reactive generative models to autonomous, orchestrated agentic systems marks a pivotal inflection point. AI Agents have already proven their value in task automation, but Agentic AI is redefining what's possible in strategic domains—from scientific research to logistics and healthcare. For business leaders, organizations that master this next frontier of intelligence and automation won't just become more efficient and productive—they have the chance to innovate, scale, and lead in ways never been seen before.
The Print
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
‘Z-Plus' status of ex-Manipur CM intact, excess personnel withdrawn: Officials
The officials were responding to some media reports that reported a downgrade in the former chief minister's security. They said Singh continues to enjoy 'Z-plus' security cover, a categorisation that mandates robust protection which includes a pilot and a protection vehicle at rear besides static guards at home. Imphal, May 28 (PTI) The Manipur administration on Wednesday refuted claims of a security downgrade for former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, clarifying that only surplus personnel deployed with him have been recalled, officials said. According to officials, Singh continues to be guarded round-the-clock by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), an elite central armed police force responsible for securing vital installations and high-profile people across India. Under standard protocol, a 'Z plus' protectee is entitled to six personal security officers (PSOs) provided by the respective state or union territory police. However, during a recent security audit, it was found that during his tenure as Chief Minister, Singh had 23 police personnel assigned to his security detail. Following this audit, 17 excess personnel were immediately asked to report to their parent units, the officials said. Manipur has been under President's Rule since February, following Singh's resignation as Chief Minister which came amidst widespread criticism regarding his government's handling of the ethnic clashes that erupted in May 2023. The violence, which has claimed the lives of over 260 people and displaced thousands, has primarily pitted Imphal valley-based Meiteis against Kuki-Zo groups, predominantly residing in the hill areas. The Centre has subsequently placed the state assembly, whose term ends in 2027, under suspended animation. PTI SKL MNB This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Nature through the eyes of four artists
NATURE has always been an artist's muse — from the fluid lines of landscapes to the fleeting beauty of flowers in bloom. At AweGallery, Petaling Jaya, that timeless inspiration takes on new life through Rhythm of Nature, a curated art exhibition that brings together four distinct voices, united by friendship, creativity, and a deep love for the natural world. The exhibition features the works of Jane Tan, Min Yin Thant, Wong Siew Lee and Felicia Yee — four artists connected through the Malaysia Art Society. While each of them has followed a unique artistic journey shaped by different backgrounds and personal experiences, Rhythm of Nature highlights the ways they each respond to nature's forms, rhythms and movements in their own way. The title of the exhibition itself is a reflection of that shared yet personal connection. Inspired by the gentle, constant movement found in nature — the sway of leaves, the flight of birds, the shifting of light — Rhythm of Nature captures how much like life and art, nature is never static. It changes, breathes and transforms over time. This curated showcase is a celebration of diversity, harmony and creativity, offering visitors an experience where different artistic voices respond to the same timeless muse. Among the featured artists is Jane Tan, an Indonesian-born Malaysian painter whose work reflects a sensitivity towards both eastern and western aesthetics. Tan's artistic journey has taken her to exhibitions across Asia, including the 9th Asian International Art Exhibition in Qingdao, China (2018), the Art Expo Bagan in Myanmar (2020), and a first-prize win in an international art competition organised by the China National Tourist Office. For Rhythm of Nature, Tan presents a series of five paintings dedicated to her two favourite subjects: ducks and swans. Through these elegant birds, she expresses a profound love for nature, using her brushwork to capture both the grace and symbolism of these creatures within their natural surroundings. Also exhibiting is Min Yin Thant, originally from Yangon, Myanmar, now residing in Malaysia. Thant was first introduced to the world of art at a young age by his father, a charcoal portrait artist. Many of his previous works are steeped in memories of traditional Myanmar, reflecting a nostalgic connection to his homeland. This time, Thant takes his work in a new direction, offering what he describes as an imaginative expression of nature viewed through a contemporary lens. His artworks for Rhythm of Nature remain infused with nostalgia, yet they reach for a fresh interpretation of the serene, meaningful past as seen through nature's forms and textures. Meanwhile, Malaysian visual artist Wong Siew Lee contributes a different perspective to the exhibition. Known for her abstract works inspired by Buddhist reflections on impermanence and transformation, Wong's journey into visual art came after an earlier career in quantity surveying. She later pursued a Master of Arts in Visual Arts from the University of Malaya in 2018. For this exhibition, she presents Beyond the Veil of Horizon — a panoramic painting that unfolds from left to right in a lyrical flow of colour, light, and movement. The work invites viewers to experience nature's transitions, from misty dawns to radiant sunsets, capturing the in-between moments that blur the lines between the seen and unseen, the transient and the eternal. Completing the quartet is Felicia Yee, an artist and educator who's been actively involved in art education since founding Ascend Art Studio in 2013. Yee's practice spans a wide range of mediums, from ink to mixed media, and she has exhibited her works in countries including Thailand, South Korea, and Singapore. Recently, her focus has shifted towards appreciating the understated beauty of everyday life — still life compositions featuring tea, flowers, and birds. This contemplative approach forms the foundation of the works she's showcasing, offering a gentle reminder of nature's presence in the ordinary and familiar. CELEBRATION OF NATURE What makes Rhythm of Nature especially meaningful is the way the artists, though distinct in their styles and mediums, come together in shared celebration of the natural world. It's a conversation across canvases — some abstract, some representational, some nostalgic — all echoing the subtle movements and enduring spirit of nature. Visitors to Rhythm of Nature can expect a thoughtfully curated collection of works that reflect not only the artists' technical skill, but also their individual ways of seeing and feeling the world around them.
