05/02/2026

THURSDAY | FEB 5, 2026

5

‘Protect local MSME amid foreign influx’ o Government must boost content policies so domestic businesses remain competitive: MEF president

Brothers indicted for murder

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has called on the government to take urgent action to level the playing field for Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), saying local businesses are increasingly under threat from foreign operators. MEF president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman backed recent remarks by Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim, who highlighted mounting pressures on local businesses amid intensifying global competition, particularly from China and the rise of protectionist measures abroad. Speaking at a recent media forum, Sim said foreign producers are increasingly selling directly into Malaysia, bypassing local intermediaries. However, he said as a small and open economy, Malaysia must be prudent in responding with tariff-style measures. Syed Hussain emphasised that the government must strengthen local content policies, including prioritising Malaysian products and enterprises within government-linked companies (GLCs) and public procurement frameworks to ensure domestic businesses could scale up and remain competitive. “Local MSME are closing down, jobs are being lost and domestic supply chains are weakening. This trend cannot be allowed to continue.” Highlighting the critical role of MSME, he added that they make up nearly 97% of registered businesses and contribute 39% of Malaysia’s GDP, serving as key employers and stabilisers of the economy. He also emphasised that openness should not come at the expense of local businesses. “We are not calling for blanket protectionism. We need a fair and well-enforced competitive environment. “Foreign businesses often enter Malaysia with lower compliance burdens, bypass local intermediaries and undercut prices, placing State police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the integrated operation conducted by the Selangor Commercial Crime Investigation Department, together with several district police headquarters, led to the arrest of 20 individuals, including a Malaysian, aged between 25 and 36. He added that police also seized 42 mobile phones, 20 computers, four mobile WiFi units, two laptops, two modems and a router worth RM85,000. “Their modus operandi involves offering part-time work, share investments and opportunities to generate income through the digital platform before (individuals) are instructed to make certain payments. “The syndicate members act as operators who would contact individuals through social media apps and websites to convince them to make investments or take up the job offers,” he told a media conference at the Selangor police headquarters yesterday. Shazeli said in the first raid in Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang on Jan 23, police arrested six individuals: a Malaysian man, four foreign men and a foreign woman, aged between 28 and 33. “The syndicate, which has been operating since December 2025, targeted Australians and Italians with online part-time job offers.” He said in the second raid at Pusat Bandar Putra Permai in Seri Kembangan on Jan 26, police arrested nine foreign men, aged between 27 and 35, adding that the syndicate has been active since November 2025 and targeted Chinese nationals with online

JOHOR BAHRU: Two brothers were charged with murdering a man at an oil palm plantation house in September last year. R. Arasan, 32, and R. Utes, 36, nodded in acknowledgment after the charges were read out before Magistrate Nabilah Nizam. They face a charge of jointly murdering 28-year-old V. Thamil Selvan at an unnumbered house in an oil palm plantation in Kangkar Pulai, Skudai on Sept 15. The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code read with Section 34 carries the death penalty or up to 40 years’ imprisonment and up to 12 strokes of the cane if the death penalty is not imposed. The court denied bail and scheduled the next case mention for April 6, pending the autopsy, toxicology and DNA reports. Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad on Tuesday said six human skeletons, including five from the same family, believed dead for over three months, were found in a house that burned down last month in an oil palm plantationa in Kangkar Pulai, Skudai. The six victims were a 35-year-old woman, a 19-year-old girl, two girls aged nine and five, a two-year-old boy and a 28-year-old man. Police arrested four local suspects, three men and a woman aged 19 to 35, in Iskandar Puteri on Jan 21. Two other suspects were released on police bail as prosecution witnesses. – Bernama Suspected drug dealer killed in crash ALOR SETAR: A suspected female drug dealer was killed and her companion seriously hurt when their car skidded and crashed near the Land Office on Jalan Suka Menanti on Tuesday. Kota Setar police chief ACP Syed Basri Syed Ali said the crash happened at about 8.20pm, killing the 33-year-old passenger at the scene and seriously injuring the 37-year-old driver. “Officers on Op Gempur patrol in the area spotted the car carrying the two women acting suspiciously. Police pursued the vehicle before it crashed. “A subsequent search found a plastic packet containing 210g of a substance believed to be heroin,” he said in a statement yesterday. Syed Basri said the driver had 12 prior narcotics offences, while the woman who died had three drug records and one other criminal offence. “The woman’s body was sent to the Forensic Department at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for further action, while her seriously injured companion is being treated at the same hospital. “Investigations are underway under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.” – Bernama Man faces charge over assault of minor SHAH ALAM: An unemployed man who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and molesting a nine-year-old girl at Bukit Sentosa in Rawang on Jan 29, will be charged in court today. Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the man would be charged in the Kuala Kubu Bharu Magistrate’s Court under Section 325 of the Penal Code for causing grevious hurt. “I was told that the investigation paper has been completed and instructions have been given for the charge to be made under Section 325 of the Penal Code (for assault). Previously, Hulu Selangor police chief Supt Ibrahim Husin said police were notified of the incident at 8pm and that it occurred when the victim was on her way to a night market with her siblings. The suspect also tested positive for drugs. – Bernama

Last month, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry announced it would review its 2020 guidelines on foreign participation in the food and beverage (F&B) sector, amid concerns that the rapid expansion of foreign brands may threaten local MSME. The ministry said the guidelines are outdated and contain loopholes. theSun reported last week on the issue with SME Association of Malaysia president Dr Chin Chee Seong describing the review as timely. “The review isn’t just about identifying loopholes; it’s about revisiting the definitions and terms used in the 2020 guidelines “Currently, the wording is problematic. It uses phrases like ‘you are expected’ or ‘you are required,’ but there is no ‘must.’ “Foreign companies are only encouraged to comply, which creates loopholes in practice.” Chin added that some foreign outlets could bypass rules intended to protect MSME, such as the requirement for an impact study for F&B outlets exceeding 5,000 square feet to ensure they do not negatively affect local businesses. He said foreign operators should also invest locally, engage domestic supply chains, hire local labour and coordinate with municipal authorities issuing operational licences.

local MSME at a structural disadvantage.” Syed Hussain said MEF strongly supports Sim’s call for stricter enforcement in key areas, including licensing, tax compliance, product standards, consumer protection and fair market conduct. “Rules must apply equally to all operators. Weak enforcement penalises compliant local businesses and distorts competition.” He also reiterated support for prioritising local products and companies in public procurement, GLC sourcing and national supply chains. “Domestic confidence is the foundation of global competitiveness. “If companies are not trusted and supported at home, they will never thrive abroad.” MEF welcomed government initiatives to boost productivity, reduce bureaucracy, improve access to capital and expand market opportunities, while adding that financing constraints, cash-flow pressures and regulatory complexity continue to hamper MSME growth. “The survival and growth of MSME must be treated as a national economic priority. “MEF stands firmly with the government in calling for tougher rules, stronger enforcement and a business ecosystem that genuinely supports local enterprises, before it is too late.”

Police cripple online scam syndicate SHAH ALAM: Selangor police have crippled an online scam syndicate offering part-time jobs and investments to victims overseas, following separate raids on three premises in Kajang, Seri Kembangan and Puchong last month.

Shazeli (centre) at the Selangor contingent police headquarters, showing media personnel devices seized during the operation to foil the fraud syndicate. – BERNAMAPIC investment schemes. investigated under sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code.

In the third raid, conducted in Bandar Puteri in Puchong on Jan 28, five foreigners – four men and a woman – aged between 25 and 36 were detained. He said the third syndicate branch has been operating since December 2025 by targeting Pakistanis, using TikTok to offer them part-time jobs. Shazeli said all the cases are being

“For the case in Bandar Sungai Long, all the suspects were charged under Section 120B(2) of the Penal Code and fined RM2,500 each, while the other arrested individuals have been remanded for between five and seven days,”he said, adding that they neither have prior criminal records nor tested positive for drugs. – Bernama