08/06/2025

NATIONAL 4 ON SUNDAY JUNE 8, 2025

Retailers raise concerns on losses over vape ban

‘Bumi quota unaffected by property rebate’ GEORGE TOWN: The offer of a 5% discount for first-time homebuyers from the Indian Muslim community in Penang does not involve units under the Bumiputera quota and does not affect any existing home ownership policies, said state executive councillor Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo. He said the initiative is part of efforts to expand home ownership opportunities in the open market, particularly for groups with low participation rates, without affecting the rights of other communities. “This discount is being offered as a form of corporate social responsibility by developers, and does not involve any financial support or subsidy from the state government. “The state government would like to emphasise that all existing housing policies, including the Bumiputera quota and various incentives for first-time homebuyers, remain intact and will continue to be (applied).” Sundarajoo, who is in charge of housing and environment, was responding in a statement yesterday to criticism from several quarters regarding the discount. On Thursday, he announced a 5% discount incentive for the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of residential and commercial units under the Madani Home Ownership Campaign, effective June 1 this year to May 31, 2026. Sundarajoo said the initiative is an intervention to help reinvigorate the property sector following discussions and consensus among housing industry stakeholders, taking into account the growing concern over the oversupply of non-affordable units in Penang. “According to the Q4 2024 Penang Property Market Report issued by the National Property Information Centre, 2,796 residential units were identified as overhang, involving various types of properties across the state.” He said the initiative also aims to revitalise the property sector affected by rising construction and labour costs, in line with the state government’s aspiration to achieve more balanced, sustainable and inclusive development in Penang. – Bernama GRS fully prepared for state polls TUARAN: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is fully prepared to face the 17th state election, said its chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said GRS has conducted a series of training sessions across constituencies and state assembly areas to strengthen the coalition’s election machinery ahead of the polls. “Clearly, GRS is ready. We have established our election machinery and conducted several rounds of training in preparation. “However, discussions on seat allocations have yet to take place,“ he said after officiating at the Aidiladha sacrificial ritual at the Tuaran district police headquarters yesterday. The state legislative assembly will automatically dissolve on Nov 11, paving the way for the polls. On cooperation with Barisan Nasional for the upcoming election, Hajiji, who is also chief minister, said GRS remains open to discussions with the party’s leaders. – Bernama

people full-time.” Shahfiq Ikmal, 29, a vape shop owner in Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya, echoed the same concerns, stating that his shop easily carries RM30,000 worth of inventory at any given time. “We spend around RM10,000 to RM30,000 each time we restock. If the government announces a ban suddenly, thousands of ringgit are gone. And we still have to pay rent, as we have rental contracts.” Shahfiq said his shop, in operation for four years, has also taken steps to comply with regulations, such as installing window tinting, halting promotional social media posts and refusing sales to underage individuals. “We never sell to kids. Some shops nowadays will ask for ICs, but I assess people by how they look. If they seem underage, I ask their age or just turn them away. I’ve lived in this community long enough to know who’s who.” He said many vape retailers had to register under a generic “electronics” category with the Companies Commission due to the absence of a vape-specific code, complicating tax and compliance matters. He believes stronger enforcement and collaborative research would be more effective than a blanket ban. The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce said it is working with relevant agencies to push for proper registration pathways for vape businesses.

‘Without transition period, outlets would lose heavily if high-value stocks remain unsold, apart from other obligations such as rent’ Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com with existing regulations.

“We pulled advertising, reduced puff limits and shut our social media. Now, it feels like we’re being left in the dark.” Muhammad Fidzree had put up the “No Below 18” signboard inside and outside his shop and also the “No Smoking” sign, stating that it was a mandatory requirement long before the law was first enforced in 2024. “The vape store itself is one of the prohibited areas to smoke or vape in. Hence, we’re obliged to put up those two signboards to ensure that we do not endorse smoking or vaping in commercial premises.” Muhammad Fidzree said he has no intention of continuing operations illegally should a ban take place. “If Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were to enforce the ban, we will not operate underground. We just need time, six months or a year, to clear our stocks.” He also pointed out that shop managers and employees could face difficulty finding alternative jobs, given how niche the vape industry is. “Most of us specialise in vape retail. Switching to electronics or fashion retail isn’t straightforward. The industry may look informal on paper, but it employs

PETALING JAYA: As the Selangor and Negeri Sembilan state governments weigh the possibility of banning vape sales, retailers say they are bracing for substantial losses if the proposal materi alises without transitional support. Muhammad Fidzree Tamin, 36, who has been managing a vape outlet in SS24, Petaling Jaya since 2016, said his retail sales alone could generate between RM100,000 and RM150,000 monthly. Should the vape ban be enforced soon, it could hurt such retailers, especially after they have procured high-value supplies. “Restocking alone costs around RM50,000. If there’s no transition period, we lose everything we’ve stocked for the month. That’s easily RM50,000 gone, just like that. “Including rent and operating costs, a sudden shutdown could result in over RM60,000 in immediate losses per outlet,” said Muhammad Fidzree. “People underestimate the scale of this industry. We’re not some underground set-up. We’ve complied

Azhar (centre) and Kampung

Raja Uda residents

during the protest in Klang. – BERNAMAPIC

Villagers demonstrate against columbarium project KLANG: Residents of Kampung Raja Uda are considering submitting a protest memorandum to the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah regarding the construction of a four-storey columbarium adjacent to their mosque. Kampung Raja Uda Federal Village Development and Security Committee chairman Azhar Ibrahim said most of the 5,000 residents in the village oppose the construction of the columbarium. “Many residents are worried that the village may become polluted with ash generated from the cremation process, particularly for homes situated less than 10m from the site,” he said after participating in a peaceful protest along Persiaran Raja Muda Musa in Port Klang on Friday. The protest saw dozens of villagers expressing their opposition to the construction of the columbarium.

Council regarding the planned project on a one-hectare plot of private land. He added that the villagers want the construction of the columbarium cancelled to ensure the comfort of residents, especially Muslims. Kampung Raja Uda Mosque imam Mohd Bazaireen Baharuddin said the mosque management has expressed regret over the proposal to build the columbarium. “I am concerned that once the columbarium begins operating, it will host many religious ceremonies.” – Bernama

Azhar said in the last two days, residents have submitted over 300 protest notices online to the Klang Royal City

He said there were no discussions with residents about the project and they only became aware of it two weeks ago.