23/11/2025

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday NOV 23, 2025

App rolled out to improve public complaint process

Johor to implement travel charge from Jan 1 next year JOHOR BAHRU: The state government here will implement a travel charge under the Johor Hotel Enactment 2025 starting Jan 1, according to Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor. He said the enactment also strengthens enforcement powers, including investigation, inspection, closure of unlicensed hotels and action against premises that fail to comply with safety requirements or obstruct enforcement officers. “This approach is crucial to ensure every hotel operates in an orderly manner, complies with standards and maintains Johor’s image as a safe and quality tourism destination. “We are confident that the implementation of the Johor Hotel Enactment 2025 would elevate professionalism in the hospitality industry, enhance consumer safety and increase the competitiveness of the state’s tourism sector sustainably. “With this comprehensive legal framework, Johor is on the right track towards more progressive tourism development ahead of Visit Johor Year 2026,” he said in a statement. Malacca has implemented a heritage charge, Pahang has a sustainability charge, Perak collects a local service charge, Penang imposes hotel fees and Kedah, through its administration in Langkawi, has also introduced a similar tourism charge. Mohd Jafni said a stakeholder engagement session involving all 16 local authorities, Tourism Johor, the state chapter of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, NGOs in the hospitality sector, tourism associations and industry players was held on Oct 24 to ensure comprehensive understanding of the enactment. – Bernama Industrial firm quizzed over waste disposal case IPOH: The Department of Environment (DOE) has recorded a statement from a representative of an industrial firm suspected of involvement in illegal disposal of scheduled waste that led to the deaths of 17 cows in Batu Gajah on Nov 5. Perak DOE director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh said the department is also investigating two other companies in the automotive and semiconductor sectors, based in Kedah and Penang respectively, which are likewise believed to be linked to the incident. “We have opened an investigation paper under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act regarding the illegal disposal of scheduled waste in the area. The cows were found to have eaten the scheduled waste, believed to be toxic, after our checks uncovered jumbo bags containing waste marked with toxic hazard symbols. “For the other two companies, Perak DOE has requested assistance from Kedah and Penang DOE to investigate and record statements from them. We have also lodged a police report,” he said. He added that the department is awaiting the Chemistry Department’s analysis to confirm the exact toxic contents involved. – Bernama

through a pilot phase to ensure system stability and the ministry is confident it is functioning smoothly. He said the 9,000 cases recorded this year involved goods and services, including vehicle purchases, service-related issues, umrah packages, electrical appliances, gadgets and devices. “Once a complete complaint with full supporting documents is received, the hearing process will begin and the ministry aims to conclude the case immediately. For certain cases where documentation is clear and complete, they may even be resolved after the first hearing. That is the charter we have set.” The ministry has also concluded this year’s edition of its roadshow carnival and Buy Malaysian Products campaign in Selangor, marking the final stop for the Central Zone after earlier editions in Johor, Kedah, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak. Armizan said the carnival acts as a platform for exhibitors and visitors to expand business networks, strengthen brand visibility and tap into economic opportunities, adding that it reflects Malaysia’s strong and sustainable domestic economic climate. “According to the Statistics Department, the total sales value of the distributive trade sector, which includes wholesale and retail, recorded RM1.766 trillion in 2024, a 5.5% increase from RM1.673 trillion in 2023. For 2025, the department reported that as of September, wholesale and retail trade sales reached RM1.381 trillion compared with RM1.314 trillion during the same period in 2024.” He said the Buy Malaysian Products campaign is not just a trending programme but aims to cultivate economic patriotism among the public. “When buying and selling happen within national borders, the outflow of money is reduced, benefitting the supply chain of local micro, small and medium enterprises. Every ringgit spent on local products is an investment in the domestic economy, contributing to national development and supporting the livelihoods of local entrepreneurs.” He said to address the cost of living, the ministry works with multiple agencies under the Madani government.

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New platform expected to lower costs, while quicker case movement would boost confidence in dispute resolution services: Ministry

particularly for users in rural areas. “From Jan 1 to Nov 14, TTPM received 9,203 claims involving a total value of RM77.2 million. During the same period, 6,881 cases were resolved. Under TTPM’s service charter, once a complete complaint is filed with all supporting documents, the case, including the hearing, should be settled within 60 days,” he said at the launch of the ministry’s roadshow carnival and the Buy Malaysian Products campaign yesterday. He explained that ez-TTPM allows consumers to access information, lodge complaints, upload documents and monitor case progress without needing to be physically present. “With faster access, more efficient processes and quicker case movement, we hope public confidence in government services would continue to improve. This supports our broader goal of championing consumer rights and fostering a healthy domestic ecosystem free from misconduct and non-compliance,” he said. Armizan added that the app had gone

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

SHAH ALAM: Consumers can now file and track complaints more easily with the launch of the ez-TTPM app for the Malaysian Consumer Claims Tribunal (TTPM), aimed at improving efficiency of the dispute resolution process. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the innovation reduces costs, shortens waiting

Armizan launching the ez-TTPM app at the carnival. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Subsidy scheme for hill padi farmers in Sabah, Sarawak KOTA KINABALU: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has launched the Hill or Huma Padi Fertiliser and Pesticide Subsidy Scheme, aimed at strengthening hill and huma padi cultivation outside major rice bowl areas. (Nafas) general manager Muhammad Faris Arriffin. Mohamad explained that the scheme is implemented in strategic collaboration with Nafas, which coordinates the supply and distribution of fertilisers and pesticides to eligible farmers. be left behind in national development. It is hoped that it will increase yields, sustain hill padi cultivation, strengthen rural economies and contribute to a stable rice supply.” Mohamad also said the ministry is considering making Keningau the main hub for hill padi in Sabah due to its fertile soil.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said RM42 million has been allocated for Padi 4 compound and liquid urea fertilisers with a further RM11.4 million for liquid herbicides. “This year’s scheme, which began with the October planting season, will benefit about 44,000ha of hill padi in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said at an engagement programme with farmers, breeders and fishermen at Dewan Kampung Johan Jaya in Sook on Friday. Also present were Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, Farmers Organisation Authority (FOA) chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar, FOA director-general Amir Matamin and National Farmers Organisation

“We aim for hill padi cultivation here to progress beyond personal use to a commercial scale as premium rice,” he said. He added that his visit to the padi planting project in Kampung Biah, Sook, reflects the government’s commitment to improving irrigation and support infrastructure in the area. The programme also featured the Madani Agro Sale organised by FOA, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority and the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, offering discounts of up to 30% below market prices. – Bernama

“The ministry recognises that hill padi cultivation in Sabah is still largely traditional. Our policy now not only focuses on main rice bowl areas in Peninsular Malaysia but also strengthens cultivation outside these areas, including across Sabah,” he said. He added that the goal is to shift hill padi farming from subsistence to commercial, high-productivity operations. “The scheme shows the government’s commitment to easing farmers’ burdens through ongoing subsidies and incentives as well as upgrading agricultural infrastructure. This ensures that farmers nationwide will not