09/09/2025

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RON95 subsidy framework in final stage: Minister

RM281m allocated for public facility upgrades KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has channelled RM281.9 million into 1,730 projects nationwide to upgrade public facilities between 2024 and July this year. Its minister Nga Kor Ming said the allocation covered maintenance and upgrades of public toilets, multi-purpose halls and recreational facilities. “Through the Local Government Department, the ministry has also funded small-scale works under the BP.1 Development Project for 156 local authorities nationwide. “The allocation is based on their applications and divided into four scopes: infrastructure, public facilities, socioeconomics and security,” he told the Dewan Negara yesterday. He was responding to Senator Datuk Mustafa Musa, who asked about reform targets in public cleansing, particularly the upkeep of parks and recreational spaces. Nga said the government also appointed three concession companies to manage waste collection and cleansing in states that have adopted the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672), which includes public parks. In states that have not adopted the Act, responsibility remains with the respective local authorities. He added that the ministry welcomed the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and drones to help monitor cleanliness and detect damage to public facilities. “We are certainly moving in that direction, but it cannot be rolled out all at once, as local authorities are divided into three tiers of city councils, municipal councils and district councils.” He was responding to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Rosni Sohar, who asked whether AI was being applied to monitor cleanliness in parks. – Bernama SMEs must invest in talent for growth: DPM PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof yesterday said small and medium enterprises (SMEs) must start investing in their people if they want to grow and stay competitive. He reminded SMEs that while the government provides policies and incentives to support growth, lasting transformation must begin within each organisation. Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister, said business leaders must recognise that people are not merely resources but also the driving force behind every successful enterprise. “Investing in talent is investing in the future of your business and the nation,” he said when officiating at the SME HR Conference 2025. He added that SMEs play a crucial role in the economy, contributing 40% of gross domestic product and employing nearly half of the national workforce. He also said challenges such as attracting skilled talent, retaining employees and meeting compliance requirements are not isolated to individual firms but are national concerns that impact Malaysia’s competitiveness. Fadillah urged a shift in mindset among SME founders who often view human resource (HR) management as a cost centre rather than a strategic growth driver. Citing SME Corp Malaysia data, he said SMEs with structured HR practices grow 2.5 times faster and scale three times more efficiently than those without. He also highlighted emerging HR trends, including artificial intelligence-driven recruitment, skills-based hiring, hybrid work models, employee well-being initiatives and ESG-linked practices. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the government is in the final stage of setting eligibility criteria and implementation methods for targeted RON95 fuel subsidies. He said the mechanism would be designed to ensure the majority of eligible citizens are not left out, Bernama reported. “The government is also working with petrol station operators so that the MyKad payment system can be used at pumps once the subsidy rolls out at the end of this month,” he told the Dewan Negara during question time yesterday. Responding to Senator Rose Suryati Alang on the efficiency of implementation, Amir Hamzah said data from the Central Database Hub system would be used to identify eligible recipients. “We will announce and implement this at the end of the month with assurance that subsidies reach those truly qualified.” On retirement savings, he said the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is rebuilding contributors’ balances after RM145 billion was withdrawn through i-Lestari, i-Sinar, i-Citra and the special withdrawal facility, involving 8.2 million members. “Therefore, the focus now is on strengthening retirement savings and ensuring members enjoy sustainable income in old age,” he told Senator Mohd Hasbi Muda. He added that no new withdrawal schemes are planned, following the restructuring of EPF into Account 1, Account 2 and Account 3, with the third account allowing flexible withdrawals for emergencies. Amir Hamzah also said EPF is studying a proposal to introduce a monthly pension scheme for new members, expected to be approved within the next few years, while existing contributors may choose to opt in. On the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah aid programme, he said the government would not tolerate attempts to undermine its benefits. The ministry is aware of social media claims that some traders raised prices to exploit the scheme. “If this has happened, investigations and action under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 can be taken. The o Govt working to include MyKad payment, initiative to launch by end of September

Amir Hamzah said data from the Central Database Hub system would be used to identify eligible recipients for the incoming subsidy. – BERNAMAPIC

profit,” he said after closing the Sarawak Zone KPDN Carnival Tour 2025 and Buy Malaysian Products Campaign at the Kuching Waterfront on Sunday. He said action would be taken against any party found raising prices without justification. Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry reported that the eighth day of the aid programme rollout went smoothly, with RM102.5 million in sales involving 1.7 million recipients recorded as of 9.30pm on Sunday. It added that the transaction rate had remained stable at 99.9% for two consecutive days, helped by upgrades to system processing capacity. Since its launch on Aug 31, the initiative has benefited more than 11.8 million individuals nationwide, with total spending reaching RM745.7 million.

Madani investigate complaints. At the same time, we appreciate supermarkets and grocery shops offering special prices for aid recipients,” he said in a statement on Sunday. The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry confirmed it received two complaints of price hikes involving items under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah and MyKasih programmes. Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohd Sayuthi Bakar said investigations found one case stemmed from a retailer’s technical error in managing its product coding system, which has since been rectified. “We have stepped up monitoring. All state enforcement officers have been instructed to keep a close watch on participating shops to ensure no traders exploit the programmes for government will

Seismic hazard map to include Segamat, Batu Pahat SEGAMAT: The government has proposed that Segamat and Batu Pahat be included in the Malaysian Seismic Hazard Zone Map to ensure future building designs in both districts factor in seismic safety. zone, so building designs here are not subject to higher seismic standards. But the recent tremors show the need to revise the map to include both Segamat and Batu Pahat.” warnings of tremors. “This is important so the public could be better prepared. We want every government building and public facility built in future to be durable and safe to use.”

He was speaking after receiving a briefing from the Public Works Department and visiting several damaged government buildings yesterday. The Mineral and Geoscience Department produces the Malaysian Seismic Hazard Zone Map as a reference for geological disaster management. It outlines the potential intensity of tremors across different zones, serving as a guide for infrastructure planning, disaster preparedness and raising public awareness. He also recommended installing seismometers in at-risk areas to provide early

Currently, there are 80 seismic stations nationwide, including six in Johor – two in Johor Bahru and one each in Kluang, Batu Pahat, Mersing and Kota Tinggi. Ahmad earlier said 15 government buildings in Segamat sustained minor damage with repair costs estimated at about RM550,000, in addition to 62 private houses and two suraus . Johor recorded at least eight tremors between Aug 24 and Sept 3, six in Segamat and two in Batu Pahat. – Bernama

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said the updated map would require development projects in the areas to use high-quality concrete and reinforced steel in line with the MS EN 1998 National Annex standard, enabling structures to better withstand earthquakes. “The seismic factor requirement is calculated based on the location of a site according to the Peak Ground Acceleration Hazard Map in the National Annex. “Currently, Segamat is not listed as a hazard