06/03/2025

THURSDAY | MAR 6, 2025

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Consumers urged to adopt smart spending habits

“Whenever we engaged with directors and producers, logistical issues and transit delays – having to fly via Kuala Lumpur before reaching Penang – were always a concern,” he said. However, Ashwin noted that with IndiGo’s new direct flight to Penang, discussions on film productions in the state have gained momentum once again. IndiGo’s direct route from Chennai to Penang offers a comfortable flying experience with full-flat business class seats and in-flight entertainment systems. Significantly, Penang International Airport recorded a 51.43% increase in Indian tourist arrivals last year, reflecting the growing interest in the state as a vibrant destination. – Bernama Public encouraged to use new buses in Kuching KUCHING: The public is encouraged to experience the new Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) buses, which have recently begun operations from the Open Air station here. Sarawak transport minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the project will introduce 56 stage buses across 10 routes in phases to further enhance public transport services in the city. “Today, the bus company is starting with six buses. Actually, it’s 10 but four are not operating yet. Another batch of 26 buses will arrive by the end of March and another 20 buses by the end of April. “These modern buses are equipped with CCTV, low-deck accessibility for persons with disabilities (OKU), and GPS tracking. We hope more people will use the buses to help reduce traffic congestion in the city,” he said. Lee added that the bus service also features the BAS.MY concession card system, allowing senior citizens, OKU card holders and students to ride on SBST buses for free. “SBST also introduces a prepaid card system valued at RM50, valid for 30 days, with unlimited rides on all its buses. “The Sarawak ministry of transport is working closely with the Transport Ministry to ensure the smooth implementation of public transport modernisation and transformation in Sarawak, and we hope it will be extended to other parts of the state,” Lee said. On Tuesday, the state’s Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board announced that the first route, Q10, will run from Open Air Market to Serian. – Bernama Developer implements measures after landslide incident BINTULU: The developer of a new residential area has agreed to implement three key measures to mitigate safety hazards following a recent landslide that affected Taman Belle Hill. Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the first measure involves the continuation of retaining wall construction, supervised by an appointed consultancy firm, as a primary strategy to prevent further landslides. In a statement, Tiong said the developer’s consultant will submit safety design plans to the Bintulu Development Authority for approval before proceeding with further construction. Additionally, the developer has pledged to assist in repairing damaged homes in the affected area. The recent landslide at Taman Belle Hill caused damage to several homes, posing a significant risk to residents and their properties. Tiong, who is also the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, sent his special officer, Steven Kong, to assess the site after receiving complaints from affected residents. – Bernama

o Budgeting, price comparison and mindful purchasing can help curb overspending: Experts

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The public are advised to adopt smarter spending habits to avoid impulsive purchases and overspending during the fasting month at Ramadan bazaars. With about 40 bazaars in Kuala Lumpur alone – drawing large crowds eager to explore diverse food offerings – the abundance of choices can lead to unplanned spending. Universiti Teknologi Mara department of economics and financial studies senior lecturer Dr Mohamad Idham Md Razak said such behaviour can be controlled by using pre-commitment techniques such as cash-only budgets and organised shopping lists to curb unnecessary expenses. “Implementing fixed income percentage spending limits and practicing delayed gratification by returning to stalls after an initial viewing helps prevent overspending. “It aligns with the ‘nudge theory,’ which subtly guides consumer behaviour while preserving individual choice, ensuring smarter financial decisions during festive shopping,” he said. A check by theSun at several bazaars in the Klang Valley revealed noticeable price increases for various food items compared with last year. For example, a serving of chicken briyani, previously priced at RM10, now costs RM15, while Roti John , a popular Ramadan favourite which used to be RM8 to RM10, is now RM12. Many food hawkers highlighted factors such as rising costs of raw materials and rental fees for their stalls as reasons for the price hike, resulting in consumers spending more for the same meals. Mohamad Idham said comparing prices helps consumers make cost-effective choices, reducing personal expenses while pressuring vendors to maintain competitive pricing, ultimately improving market transparency. “Spontaneous buying at bazaars redirects money away from necessary expenses, while causing short-term spending to increase at the cost of financial savings,” he said. He added that the high demand for certain

Nur Asyikin said adopting prudent spending habits helps maintain personal finances and reduces environmental impact. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

items not aligning with advertised prices. This, along with complaints about high prices and poor quality, creates an unfair situation for consumers and could lead to dissatisfaction,” she said. Nur Asyikin urged vendors to practice ethical pricing and maintain food quality to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all consumers. She also called on sellers to display prices clearly in a way that is easily visible to consumers, ensuring transaction transparency and allowing consumers to make informed decisions before purchasing. “Consumers should be mindful of their budget when making purchases. If the price of food does not match its quality, a complaint can be filed with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry. “Consumers are also encouraged to be more disciplined by purchasing only what they need to reduce food and money wastage,” she said. She added that adopting mindful spending habits helps maintain personal finances and reduces environmental impact, as food wastage is an increasingly important issue, especially during Ramadan.

foods during Ramadan puts pressure on supply chains, causing temporary price increases. “Prices usually stabilise after the festive season, but ongoing supply issues or hoarding can keep costs high, creating price instability similar to what is seen in unpredictable markets,” he said. The price dynamics at bazaars are influenced by seasonal factors as sellers take advantage of the once-a-year demand for traditional goods to increase prices, knowing consumers are less sensitive to price changes during this period. “During Ramadan, price spikes for certain ingredients and products become more pronounced due to seasonal scarcity. “Price comparison and budget tracking apps, such as MAE by Maybank, help reduce information gaps, allowing users to make quick and informed decisions,” he said. Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations chief operating officer Nur Asyikin Aminuddin said while complaints about overpriced items at bazaars remain low as the fasting month has just begun, some consumers have already raised concerns. “We have received feedback regarding food

Penang becoming top destination for Indian nationals CHENNAI: Penang is rapidly emerging as a top destination for weddings and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), particularly drawing Indian visitors, especially from South India. receiving positive responses. “The Indian tourists arriving in Penang belong to new segments for us, including solo travellers, honeymooners and families,” he said at a press conference during a media familiarisation trip to Chennai, organised by PCEB on Tuesday. the state hosted the 11th Global Organisation of Tamil Origin conference on Jan 4 and 5, marking the first time the event was held outside Tamil Nadu. The conference welcomed 1,000 delegates from Singapore, India, Myanmar and other countries.

Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekaran said the state’s appeal has been further strengthened by the launch of a direct flight route from Chennai to Penang by IndiGo Airlines, which began on Dec 21 last year. “Destination weddings typically involve a minimum of 250 guests and we continue to receive requests for such events. The demand is particularly high for beach destinations and mainland hotel venues, which have been

Also present was PCEB director Wong Yuee Harng, who is also the Pengkalan Kota assemblyman. Ashwin said Penang’s reputation as a MICE destination is growing, with key events such as a yoga and wellness conference in April, followed by another conference expected to attract 500 participants from Tamil Nadu. Earlier this year, Penang’s rising popularity for business and leisure events was evident when

Meanwhile, Ashwin expressed confidence that Penang will soon attract Kollywood (Tamil film industry) filmmakers, leveraging extra financial incentives under the Film In Malaysia Incentive by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia. “I believe one of the key challenges in bringing Kollywood productions to Penang previously was the lack of direct flights.