14/06/2025

Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: sunbiz@thesundaily.com Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: advertise@thesundaily.com

SATURDAY | JUNE 14, 2025 SCAN ME Sunway Healthcare: More time please

o Company reviewing potential impact of expanded SST, aligning with Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia’s call to delay implementation

would need sufficient lead time to adjust administrative systems, billing processes, and compliance proce dures, it said. APHM has submitted a written request to the Ministry of Finance for a more practical timeline beyond the current July 1 start date to minimise disruption to patient services and ensure full compliance. APHM has also sought further clarification on several aspects of the new policy, including its application to professional fees charged by doctors, treatment of foreigners residing in Malaysia and other imple mentation matters. “Private hospitals are an essential part of Malaysia’s healthcare eco system, delivering quality care to both local and international patients,” APHM said. Wholesale, retail trade sales reach RM151.7b in April KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s April 2025 wholesale and retail trade registered total sales of RM151.7 billion, reflecting a 4.7% growth year-on-year (y-o-y), according to the Statistics Department Malaysia. In a statement yesterday, Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said growth was primarily supported by the performance of the wholesale and the retail trade sub-sectors. “The wholesale trade sub-sector registered RM67.3 billion in sales, an increase of RM3.5 billion or 5.5% y-o-y, reflecting steady business activity across supply chains. The retail trade sub-sector recorded RM66.8 billion, up RM3 billion or 4.7% y-o-y, in line with increased consumer spending during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri month,” he said. April’s online retail sales showed an increase, with the index rising by 6.3% y-o-y. “However, for seasonal adjustment, the index recorded a month-on-month growth of -1.2%,” Mohd Uzir said. In terms of volume index, wholesale and retail trade recorded a 4.3% y-o-y rise, driven by a 6.6% and a 3.4% increase in the respective sub-sectors. Complementing the trade growth, Mohd Uzir said Malaysia’s digital payment transactions recorded strong y-o-y in creases in April. “E-money transactions rose by 68.7% to RM19.7 billion, reflecting higher usage in micro and retail payments. “Real-time retail payments platform transactions totalled RM277.8 billion, maintaining the highest transaction value among payment methods, while financial process exchange transactions rose by 25.4% to RM35.5 billion, supported by higher online banking activitiesd.” Mohd Uzir said credit card transactions remained steady at RM17.7 billion, while debit card transactions grew by 4.5% to RM13.3 billion. “These figures indicate continued expansion in digital payment usage, aligned with ongoing shifts in transaction pre ferences and broader digital integration in Malaysia’s payment ecosystem.” – Bernama

defer the implementation date. As the appeal is under consideration, we are awaiting the outcome to deter mine whether the policy will be implemented and, if so, when it will take effect,” Lau said. APHM has called for a delay in the implementation of the expanded SST on private healthcare services for foreigners. In a statement on June 11, APHM stated that while it supports the government’s broader policy ob jectives of broadening the tax base and stimulating economic growth, private hospitals require more time to make the necessary operational ad justments to comply with the new tax rule. The short implementation time frame presents significant opera tional challenges as private hospitals

Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

lege Kota Kinabalu to develop nursing talent in Malaysia. To recap, on June 9, the govern ment announced the implemen tation of revisions to the SST rates and an expansion of the Service Tax’s scope, effective July 1. Lau said Sunway Healthcare is aligning with the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia’s (APHM) call to delay the implementation of the expanded SST. “APHM president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh is reviewing this matter. The association has appealed to the relevant ministry to either review or

tional time to assess the situation fully. “Our team is reviewing

CYBERJAYA: Sunway Health care is evaluating the potential effects of the impending imple mentation of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) as the company believes the announced timeline is insuffi cient for private hospitals to adequately prepare for the new policy. “Given the relatively short notice ahead of the July 1 imple mentation date, we require addi

the matter, but we are unable to provide further comment at this stage as we do not yet have the complete data,” Sunway Healthcare president Datuk Lau Beng Long (pic) told SunBiz on the sidelines of the signing of a memorandum of un derstanding involving

Sunway Medical Centre, University of Cyberjaya and Cyberjaya Col

Ping Edge doesn’t expect big impact from revised SST From left: Ping Edge Technology assistant finance manager Cheong Guo Feng, marketing manager Lim Wei Qi, sales manager Siti Farhana Sholehudin, Choong, Soh and finance manager Kor Huei Ching, TA Securities Holdings Bhd corporate finance head Dominic Seah and corporate finance vice-president Jason Chin Wai King at the listing ceremony.

combines both online and offline sales. “Unlike many competitors, we offer both an online presence and integrated payment solutions for our customers. Additionally, we operate a physical kitchen showroom, which further differentiates us in the market,” he said. Asked what the strategies that enabled the company to expand over the past few years were, Chong said they involved solving three key areas – supply, operations and customer management. “On the supply side, we engaged our suppliers directly to negotiate better terms and enhance the services they provide. “What made a significant difference was collaborating with suppliers to facilitate direct introductions to clients. This allows customers to ask questions about products upfront, making it easier for them to make informed purchases. “On the operations side, we consulted our sales team to identify ways to boost sales, strengthen our online presence, and improve customer offerings through more effective face to-face interactions. “In terms of customer engagement, we revisited our previous customer list and reached out to them again, exploring opportunities for upselling and further strengthening our relationships. These initiatives have proven to be very effective,” he added.

experience our products first-hand.” Ping Edge opened at 24 sen per share for a one-sen or 4.3% premium over the issue price of 23 sen., on volume of 30,000 shares. It closed at 35 sen, 12 sen or 52% above the issue price, with 20.3 million shares traded. The company raised RM5.15 million from its listing to fund its strategic growth initiatives, allocating RM1 million (19.4%) for showroom expansion. Some RM500,000 (9.7%) will be allocated for digital enhancements, RM2.37 million (46%) for working capital and the remaining RM1.28 million (24.9%) for listing-related expenses. “The listing of Ping Edge marks an important milestone in our corporate journey – the culmination of our team’s dedication and hard work,“ Soh said. “The new status increases our visibility and strengthens our credibility among customers, business partners, and industry stakeholders. By embracing the transparency and accountability expected of a listed company, we aim to foster greater trust and confidence in our brands and platforms, as well as enhance the confidence our business partners have in us.” Ping Edge CEO and director Ethan Chong Wai Hon expressed confidence that no competitor can replicate the company’s unique dual approach to selling kitchen equipment, which

Ű BY MAHADHIR MONIHULDIN sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Ping Edge Technology Bhd, a commercial foodservice and kitchen equipment supplier, has affirmed that the expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST), set to take effect on July 1, will not materially impact its operations. The company noted that any potential financial implications are expected to be managed at the manufacturing level, with responsibility for absorbing or passing on the tax to product suppliers rather than Ping Edge itself. “We will try to maintain a competitive price for our products as we have no material impact from the tax. We are only an online trading company,“ managing director Dexter Soh Yeow Seng said after the company’s listing on Bursa Malaysia’s LEAP Market yesterday. When asked what sets Ping Edge apart from its competitors, Soh highlighted that the company is unique in its use of the iPay88 payment system. This integration, he said, enables customers to conveniently purchase products online by offering seamless and secure payment processing. “That is what differentiates us compared to other competitors, and we have an offline showroom that allows customers to