27/05/2026

WEDNESDAY | MAY 27, 2026

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Not all in T20 bracket financially secure, says PPP chief

Ű BY THE SUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

based living costs, debt levels and actual spending power. Loga Bala said such a data-driven approach would ensure that financial assistance is better targeted, while preventing the unfair exclusion of households that are still under economic strain. He stressed that subsidy reforms must be implemented with fairness and compassion. “The government must move beyond rigid income labels and ensure that no struggling family is left behind simply because of how they are categorised.”

He said the current framework fails to reflect the diverse economic realities faced by Malaysians, especially those living in urban centres where the cost of living is significantly higher. “Economic hardship today is no longer confined to a single income group. Many households in the lower T20 segment are also struggling due to inflationary pressures and declining purchasing power.” PPP Malaysia has urged the government to adopt a more dynamic classification system that considers disposable income, household size, number of dependents, location

and education expenses, vehicle repayments, rising food and utility bills, healthcare costs, stagnant wages as well as taxes and mandatory contributions. He added that after accounting for these commitments, disposable income and actual purchasing power often differ little from those of middle income households. Loga Bala said it is therefore unjust for the government to continue relying solely on broad income categories when determining subsidy rationalisation and financial assistance policies.

without adequately considering the real financial pressures faced by many families within the group. He added that while the T20 bracket is intended to represent the nation’s top earners, not all households within this category enjoy financial comfort or security, particularly amid inflation and economic slowdown. “A family earning between RM11,000 and RM13,000 a month in urban areas may technically fall under the T20 category but that does not automatically make them wealthy.” He said many such households are burdened by housing loans, childcare

PETALING JAYA: As rising living costs blur traditional income boundaries, Malaysia’s continued use of the T20 income classification as a blanket indicator of “high income” households is increasingly outdated and unfair, says People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Malaysia president Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan. He said the current system of categorising all T20 households as high-income earners has led to policies that reduce or remove subsidies MACC, Judiciary cooperate to fast-track graft cases PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Judiciary have agreed to streamline court processes to improve the handling and disposal of corruption cases. This follows a recent courtesy call by MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman on Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya. Abdul Halim said in a statement yesterday that closer coordination between enforcement agencies and the courts is essential to improve case proceedings in keeping with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree on strengthening the country’s judicial system. He said discussions also covered preventive education, with MACC planning to broaden anti-corruption awareness programmes from primary and secondary schools through to university level. “Educational efforts are a continuous commitment that will be emphasised up to university level to ensure that the prevention message does not stop after schooling ends.” He said at the university level, MACC has established the Anti Corruption Student Volunteer Corps Cadets, with Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin in Terengganu serving as the pioneer public university. He also said the commission would move away from conventional outreach such as poster campaigns and lectures to dialogue sessions and interactive forums to better understand public expectations.

Multiple licensed operators to offer vehicle inspections

PETALING JAYA: Motorists and used car dealers will enjoy greater convenience for vehicle inspections from next month as the government expands approved inspection services beyond a single operator to multiple licensed providers across urban and semi-urban areas. The move also gives users an alternative to the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom), which was previously the only authorised facility for vehicle ownership transfer inspections. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry welcomes the launch of new Motor Vehicle Inspection Centres for private ownership transfer inspections by Carro Technology Sdn Bhd which will begin operations at eight locations from June 16. The eight centres are located in Glenmarie, Wangsa Melawati, Kajang, Klang, Bayan Lepas, Malacca, Muar and Johor Bahru. dealers alternative to Puspakom, the only authorised facility for ownership transfer inspections previously, says minister Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com o Move gives motorists, used car

Loke said the opening of new inspection centres is aimed at widening consumer choice while improving overall system efficiency. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

government concession. “As a result, there were many complaints from the public that the process was often slow and users had no alternative but to rely on a single inspection provider.” Under the reformed system, inspection categories have been separated, including mandatory commercial vehicle inspections and ownership transfer checks, allowing smaller “mini inspection centres” to operate closer to communities. Loke said inspection centres could now be set up in commercial shoplots and service areas, reducing travel time for users. “If companies fail to meet RTD standards, their licences can be revoked,” he said, adding that compliance checks would be carried out regularly and may also be conducted without prior notice.

Each operator is also required to provide dedicated inspection lanes and separate staffing for ownership transfer inspections. He said other companies are also preparing to enter the market, including Carsome Academy Sdn Bhd, Car Medic Sdn Bhd and Beriman Gold Sdn Bhd, with additional centres planned in Selangor and Sarawak. The policy shift follows the end of the Puspakom concession in 2024, which previously gave a single operator nationwide exclusivity for mandatory vehicle inspections for 30 years. “All vehicle inspections, whether for commercial vehicles or for ownership transfer purposes, had to be carried out at Puspakom centres, as it was the only company granted the authority under the

Act 1987 to qualified companies as part of broader reforms to improve service delivery and reduce congestion at inspection facilities. Loke said the expansion is aimed at widening consumer choice while improving overall system efficiency. “The opening of these new inspection centres reflects the government’s commitment to expanding public access to vehicle inspection services that are more efficient and of higher quality,” he said after visiting the Carro Technology inspection centre here yesterday. The new centres will operate under strict requirements set by the Road Transport Department (RTD), including certified vehicle inspectors, integration with the MySikap system and compliance with ISO/IEC 17020:2012 inspection standards.

Wan Ahmad Farid echoed the call for early education, urging MACC cadet units to be set up in schools as instilling integrity from a young age is key. – Bernama Portal launched to help curb ticket fraud He said the move is in line with the Cabinet decision on March 17, 2023 to open up motor vehicle inspection services under the Road Transport

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians now have a dedicated reference platform to combat ticket touts and concert scams following the launch of the belitiketselamat.my portal. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the portal, introduced under the Beli Tiket

assistance in filing NSRC reports within just 15 minutes. He said the measure was introduced in conjunction with KL Headline Season which is expected to attract thousands of spectators to the capital for various international standard concerts. – Bernama

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry. “It strengthens enforcement efforts by providing actionable intelligence to support faster intervention.” Fahmi said the campaign would provide help desks at event venues to enable scam victims to obtain

is announced, especially when official tickets have sold out,” he said at the pre-launch of the BTS campaign at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. “BTS does not replace the role of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), Commercial Crime Investigation Department or the

Selamat (BTS) campaign, would enable local entertainment fans to verify the authenticity of tickets before making any transaction. “Fake ticket advertisements spread very rapidly on social media and messaging apps, with some appearing just minutes after an event