Multiple cost increases will force malls to raise prices, says shopping mall group
Shopping malls in Malaysia, especially in urban areas, would have to transfer the burden of increased operating costs to consumers, said a shopping mall group.
Calling the recent government measures a “triple blow” for commercial outlets, the group cited the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, the proposed increase in assessment rates and the electricity tariff hike as reasons for rising inflation.
“Electricity is the single largest expenditure for shopping malls. This will definitely impact the competitiveness of our shopping malls and our status as a global shopping destination,” said Malaysian Shopping Mall Association and Highrise Complex Management president H.C. Chan.
In a report by The Star, Chan said that the 16.85% tariff hike applicable for those under the industrial category is “too steep” for operators.
Three days ago, the government announced that it would increase its electricity tariff by 14.98% for households, following other reforms to keep its books in the black.
However, the announcement was met with criticism, including by groups such as the Islamic Consumer Association of Malaysia.
Its chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan Johar told The Star that the tariff increase is an additional burden on top of other price hikes.
Malaysia recently reduced its fuel subsidies by 20 sen per litre in September, followed by the elimination of its sugar subsidy of 34 cents per kg in October.
“The quality of the service must also be improved to ensure consumers’ satisfaction and that they don’t experience power cuts,” said Nadzim, commenting on Tenaga Nasional Berhad's performance.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said that in light of a tariff increase, the public has to be educated on methods for conserving energy.
“The people need to be informed about the kinds of energy-saving equipment they can use and about better usage of electricity at home,” said Datuk Paul Selvaraj, secretary-general of Fomca. - December 5, 2013.
Bravo to those who voted BN/UMNO. How long will you remain deaf, dumb and blind?? Come next GE, BN/UMNO will NOT go quietly. The ONLY way they can win is to cheat, and the ONLY way to rid this country of them is massive votes against them. ABU!
WHO TO BELIEVE? Price hikes everywhere but govt's Well-Being Report says M'sians have IMPROVED!
Higher fuel prices and the removal of white sugar subsidies have sparked a new round of fears for escalating transportation costs and spiraling inflationary pressure.
With electricity tariff now confirmed to rise by 15% come January and the 6% GST thereafter, prices of many things will move up, adding to the already heavy financial burden of many.
Just as many sigh over the rising prices, government officials have tossed a report that claims that the well-being index of Malaysians has improved by 2.5%.
Which report to believe?
According to the so-called Malaysian Well-Being Report 2013, the well-being index of Malaysians has improved by 25.4 points from 2000 to 2012, or an annual increase of 1.9%.
Ironically, the UN's Global Report on Happiness 2013 indicates that Malaysia's ranking has dropped from 51st last year to 56th this year. So, do we really improve on our happiness index after all?
According to our report, among the various parameters that make up the well-being index, we have performed best in transportation and housing, up 136.9 and 36.9 points respectively.
Are you serious? Do we feel that sense of well-being with our transportation system and housing? If improved well-being means more people can now afford cars and motorcycles, how about the perennial traffic snarls that we have to bear with each day? How about parking problems, omnipresent tolls and fuel price hike? Are they making us any happier?
Other than rising goods prices and skyrocketing property prices, those living in urban areas particularly have to experience heavier work pressure and financial burden. With many people living under tremendous stress, where is our sense of well-being?
Stressful life index
Perhaps an official "stressful life index" could be more convincing.
Family relationships and health are two key factors that will determine the level of happiness of an individual. With these two parameters on the low side, we can only say that the happiness level of Malaysians is not as great as claimed.
Only a harmonious family relationship can alleviate the work and life pressures of an individual. A blessed family is the source of all happiness, but unfortunately domestic tragedies are taking place every other day across the country, with an array of ensuing social issues.
As for health, the percentage of Malaysians suffering from diabetes tops the region while at least 40,000 others suffer from a variety of cancers. There are almost 40,000 new cases of heart diseases each year, equivalent to 4.52 new cases each hour, making heart diseases the number one killer in this country. Plagued by all these problems, do we feel any happier now than ever?
While the government's figures have attempted to make Malaysians feel good about themselves, the actual perception of most people is very much different.
I really can't understand why the government keeps painting a rosy picture of the country while many in the street are struggling to make ends meet. - mysinchew
Motion no. 4 tabled in Parliament today. BN government now intends to spend RM10,000,000 to set up AES Solutions Sdn Bhd, so that through it the Govt can acquire Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd and ATES Sdn Bhd. Questions are: -
1. What is the paid-up capital of these 2 companies? 2. How did BN come to the figure of RM10 million? 3. Does these companies have any debt? If so, how much?
UMNO always tipu...see this...now UMNO wasting Malaysia oil money until we are almost bankrupt and now they want to tax our retirement funds, pui pui pui
The amendments to the Income Tax Act 1967, which have been tabled by the government, go against a promise made by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak that the Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) would be tax free, PKR said today. The current amendments tabled in the Dewan Rakyat proposes that a person who withdraws from PRS before the retirement age of 55, except for emergency cases, would be taxed based on the amount withdrawn.
UMNO leaders where are you? See what the Pakatan Rakyat is doing..
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad Saya bersama rakan2 pimpinan muda KEADILAN akan ke Pahang pada hari Ahad & Isnin ini utk sampaikan sumbangan kpd mangsa banjir. Kami bersedia turut menyampaikan barangan daripada penduduk Seri Setia & sesiapa sahaja. Barang2 yang diperlukan:
1. Minuman berpaket khususnya soya bean 2. Biskut 3. Roti 4. Selimut 5. Tuala 6. Tuala Wanita pelbagai saiz 7. Pampers kanak2 pelbagai saiz 8. Pampers dewasa pelbagai saiz
Boleh message Sdr Halimey Abu Bakar 0192399809 / Sdr Afif 0192809679 utk menyampaikan barangan tersebut / sebarang pertanyaan lanjut.
Sumbangan kewangan boleh disampaikan terus ke wakil rakyat di sana:
Akaun “Pejabat Ahli Parlimen Indera Mahkota” di akaun 556 011 061 863 (Maybank)
So to all UMNO Malay supporters here, you are a disgrace to your own race, all buta & cocky? When a Malay woman MP from Pakatan Rakyat raise a motion in Parliament to help the flood victims, who incidently are mostly Malays, the UMNP MP laughs at the motion and the motion was rejected & thrown out of the Parliament house. So are the UMNO Malays helping the Malays.
I am sure all NON UMNO Malay supporters are TRUE Malays & they form a a better picture of UMNO who they know are helping themselves & their families & cronies.
Now see the Pakatan Rakyat Amal Squad helping the flood victims In Pahang
So Najib Razak RUSHED to Pahang to see the flood..but not the victims. All he did was fly, private jet or not I cannot be sure..to have a aerial view of the flood situation! SHAME ON YOU!!
On the other hand the Regent of Pahang, the Sultan made it close and personal with the victims of the flood.
PAS TAKES THE LEAD IN FLOOD RELIEF! Where are UMNO leaders? Safe and comfortable back at their Assembly in Putrajaya...None of them are in Kemaman or Kuantan, among the hardest hit towns where residents are appealing for help and wondering why Najib and his cohorts are crowing about popular votes and exhorting the party to represent the people when they are in dire need of help.
Arahan daripada Tuan Guru Presiden Pas, esok semua masjid diminta umum kutipan derma kewangan, barangan makan, pampes dan pakaian...mohon diperpanjangkan.
'SPOT THE DIFFERENCE' The DIFFERENCE between The President of UMNO 'visiting' flood victims, and The President of PAS visiting and ASSISTING flood victims...
For those of you who have Faith in God or believe in Karma, have any of you NOTICED how 'AFTER' the recent 13th General Elections, God or 'fate/karma' as one may put it has been QUICK to show UMNO/BN for all the things it has been 'arrogantly' showing/boasting about.
-'Safest' country in the world... yet suddenly people getting shot. nationwide and guns go missing in the Ocean/Toilet.
-Promised that the Prices of Fuel, Sugar, Electricity will NOT increase AFTER elections...but???
- The said IF Pakatan were to RULE, the country would go bankrupt but Selangor alone under Pakatan has recorded the HIGHEST BUDGET SURPLUS IN HISTORY and Malaysia's Sovereign Ratings had been DOWNGRADED to due such massive Federal Government Debts cause by them till NOW they are SEARCHING for ways to get money from the Public through GST and raising Property Assesment Taxes in KL and cutting subsidies.
NOW it seems, God or 'Karma' as some would put it has acted even further through these floods affecting many States including Pahang.
The real SCARY QUESTION is...
...was THE "LYNAS" RARE EARTH PROCESSING FACTORY spared from these floods???
UMNO BARU PARTIES WHILE THE EAST COAST IS INUNDATED, LIVES ARE LOST AND THOUSANDS ARE HOMELESS.
"For Najib, the floods are hitting Pahang just as his Umno gathers for its annual general assembly. Thousands, including all leaders, are huddled in Umno's Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) to listen to speeches, shop and enjoy the leaders' hospitality at the various brunches, luncheons, teas and dinners.
"None of them are in Kemaman or Kuantan, among the hardest hit towns where residents are appealing for help and wondering why Najib and his cohorts are crowing about popular votes and exhorting the party to represent the people when they are in dire need of help.
"Shouldn't Putrajaya focus on the floods in its support base rather than hang out in PWTC or are the ministers right in saying everything is under control? The fact that Malaysians themselves are organising food convoys suggest that there isn't enough aid going through and people are fed up with the government and taking matters in their own hands."
Most of the victims of the flood in the East coast are our Malay brothers & sisters & are the UMNO people helping our own Malays in difficulty. NO is the answer as they prefer to be here? Here....Thousands, including all leaders, are huddled in Umno's Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) to listen to speeches, shop and enjoy the leaders' hospitality at the various brunches, luncheons, teas and dinners.
Most of the victims of the flood in the East coast are our Malay brothers & sisters & are the UMNO people helping our own Malays in difficulty. NO is the answer as they prefer to be here? Here....Thousands, including all leaders, are huddled in Umno's Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) to listen to speeches, shop and enjoy the leaders' hospitality at the various brunches, luncheons, teas and dinners.
Stop playing the race card, Heng tells Umno Vignesh Kumar | December 5, 2013
Khairy Jamaluddin's call for an 'Equal Opportunity Act' to end racial discrimination at workplace has raised the ire of MCA's Heng Seai Kie who felt that the Umno Youth chief's remarks were discriminatory.
PETALING JAYA: MCA deputy national organising secretary Heng Seai Kie today urged Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and other Umno politicians to stop playing the race card by spewing illogical rhetoric just to gain political mileage.
Heng was referring to Khairy’s remark that the “private sector discriminates against the Bumiputera” .
During the Umno Youth Assembly yesterday, Khairy said that “non Bumiputera companies are not hiring Malay chief executive officers (CEOs), unlike the Malay-led government that had non-Malay secretary generals”.
She commented that this statement was in fact, self-contradictory as it instigates discrimination against non-Bumiputeras.
“Since the Malaysian government has initiated many programmes to enhance the well being of Bumiputeras, most recently the BEE or Bumiputera Economic Empowerment agenda, can it be misconstrued that non-Bumiputeras are not being assisted?” she questioned.
She said that in contrast, in the private sector, Khairy has undeniably directed his verbal lash against non-Bumiputeras.
Heng said she is sure that Khairy is aware that the ultimate goal of the commercial world is one of survival based on reaping profits, as in the words of the late Chinese President Deng Xiaopeng, who said that it did not matter if the cat was black or white, as long as it caught mice.
“Similarly, it is the practice of the private sector whereby the employer will invest in employees whose skills and abilities will most advance the company.
“Human capital is based on talent and not skin colour,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Johor Umno youth deputy chief Khairul Anwar Rahmat also in response to Khairy’s remarks yesterday urged Putrajaya to form a committee to audit non-Bumiputera companies for not hiring Malay CEOs.
Up, up, up! Ordinary folk will have to tighten their belts since the GOVT WON'T
House prices up, transpiration cost up, fuel prices up, white sugar price up, and then we have: flour, electricity tariff, assessment fees and school fees all up!
Beginning January 1, electricity tariff will the take the lead with a whopping 15-17% hike. Despite public outcry, those in government appear to be least perturbed, arguing that "70% of households will not be affected."
70% of households unaffected? Stop kidding me?
If we take a good look at the new tariff structure, we will know that this is not going to be the case. Those paying more than RM43.60 a month in electricity bills will still need to pay the 6% GST come April 2015. Besides, the officials also fail to tell us that a whole range of chain effects will ensue following the rise of electricity tariff.
With electricity tariff going to be higher, production costs are bound to increase, and such increase will most definitely be transferred to the consumers. There is no way you can escape the impact of electricity tariff hike, unless you are a seclusive hermit who wants to have nothing to do at all with the world.
Disconnect with the ordinary people
Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Zeti said, electricity tariff hike will only have short-term effects on inflation, and that the CPI would only be increased by 0.4 percentage points next year, hovering around 3% for the whole year.
Well, 3% or 4% that's what the pundits say and not what the people in the street feel. What they care about is what else will go up tomorrow. They only believe in what they see, not what the abstract numbers are trying to tell us.
Statistics could be quite different from the reality. For example during the 1970s, a simple lunch would cost only around 80 sen to RM1 at a JB coffee shop. Today, the same thing could go for RM5 or RM6!
The actual hike like this is not what the experts could compute. What these experts do is to analyze the numbers they have collected through market survey executives to come out with their so-called inflation rate, all done in air-conditioned comfort. They won't know how much more a simple three-dish lunch will cost today, nor how badly many suffer.
Only those who are struggling to make ends meet, those who make their routine rounds at the local markets every morning, and those "aunties" shopping for daily necessities at neighborhood stores, will feel the pinch.
Start tightening the belt
There is no way many of us can evade the scourge of price hike. If the price is too high, just stop buying, or buy less, or buy only when there is sale.
Talking about saving money, perhaps we can start from the electricity. For the bosses, set the office air-con temperature at 26C instead of 20-22C which is too cold for some.
As for the rest of us, cut down power consumption as much as possible. Turn off the lights and computers when they are not needed. Use less of air-conditioners, washing machines, water heaters and other home appliances unless absolutely necessary. Perhaps this might cause some minor inconvenience, by saving energy we also help cut down carbon emission and do something positive for our planet.
No matter how hard you try to save, you still have to prepare yourself for the impact from escalating goods prices. You may probably want to look for a part-time job to supplement your income, or cut down unnecessary expenses. - mysinchew
No one is born hating another person because of the colour of the skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.----Nelson Mandela
Floods in Pahang and Terengganu - Najib's Katrina Moment?
By IR Khairil Nizam Khiruddin
"Brownie…you've done a heck of a job"
That comment best illustrate how President Bush mishandled the Katrina disaster. Despite New Orleans inundated by floods with more than 1800 people dead and an estimated USD 81 billion in property loss, Bush made just one flyover, viewing the situation from the comfort of his Air Force One. And then came that out-of-touch comment that forever defines the Bush Administration for its incompetence. The Katrina case shows that natural disaster politics can be unforgiving to insensitive political office bearers. Unfortunately, PM Najib Administration today is risking doing the same thing.
The last few days saw heavy rainfall on the Peninsular's East Coast, battering Kemaman - Kuantan area the most. More than 20 thousands people are displaced as homes submerged by rising water, many at the roof level. Electricity and water supplies are cut-off, cellular communication is almost non-existent, heavy rains are damaging roads, creating dangerous potholes and reducing visibility. For most of Monday and Tuesday, all routes into and out of Kemaman were cut off. Words are simply not enough to describe the severity of the problem.
Despite the extraordinary situation, government's response has been mostly business-as-usual and tepid. The apparent disinterest from mainstream news media is mind-boggling thus one wonder if there a directive from the high office somewhere to give more coverage on the on-goings at the UMNO General Assembly then the unraveling flood crisis in the east coast? So this is Rakyat didahulukan?
For sure, news media slow and scant coverage of the floods has resulted in people depending more on unverified information from blogs, IMs and SMSes. This can be dangerous as in time of crisis, unverified information can lead to panic and making it difficult to make life-saving plans. Not helping is government information delivery system such as PublicInfoBanjir and PortalMKN, oftenly crash under burden of heavy usage. The government must immediately increase server and bandwidth capacity to ensure uninterrupted 24/7 access.
The reluctance to announce both Kuantan and Kemaman as localized emergency zone is also beyond comprehension. Declaring emergency will allow the army to go in, relieving some burden off from the public response team that has been working non-stop since Sunday night.
Even the parliament took light of the problem with that one MP from Kinabatangan in particular making monkey-mocking statement when the Kuantan MP propose an emergency motion on the matter. Isn't it ironic that the UMNO General Assembly launched a disaster fund for The Phillipines' Haiyaan typhoon victims while help at our own backyard is still found wanting?
PAS Youth has fully mobilized its Unit Amal assets to assist flood victims. Its also heartening to see volunteerism goes full swing as concerned public, university students and flood victims themselves prepare food and provide drinking water to stranded families. But there is a strong sense of feeling on the ground that the government should do more, and can do more to help.
For now, the Prime Minister and his consultants are surely living in the Sri Perdana bubble. For God's sake dear PM, your home state is in crisis! Do something please.
IR Khairil Nizam Khirudin is the new PAS Youth Vice Chief. PAS's Unit Amal has activated hotline numbers for Terengganu - 0139274177, Pahang - 0139191721, Kelantan - 0129289859 and Johor - -0197117181. Donation can be made to Tabung Kemanusiaan Pemuda -Maybank 564025400100.
TERBARU..!!! Ini adalah benar dan kenyataan ... DYTM Tengku Puan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah dirakam sedang menumis dan mengacau masakan di dua Pusat Pemindahan Banjir untuk para mangsa banjir di pusat-pusat berkenaan. Tapi yang herannya mana pegi Ketua Wanita UMNO..? mana pegi Ketua puteri UMNO...?
Nurul Izzah Anwar Remembering the vulnerable during natural disasters ; newborn babies, the disabled, the elderly #Kuantan http://instagram.com/p/hlX0bGquAA/
Nurul Izzah Anwar My highest respect to the #SMART team; sejurus pulang dari Filipina, berbakti untuk warga Kuantan yang dilanda banjir. http://instagram.com/p/hlXhHrquPo/
At this rate the UMNO Govt is taking all malaysians - malays, chinese n indians - to the cleaners except for the corrupt UMNO cronies. Umno is asking rakyat to pay dearly for the wastage and mismanagement as the nation is going bankrupt
cocky jenabchen123, you are really a a$$#ole, now read this...25 lori kontena from Amal Selangor {Pakatan Rakyat] helping out....mana UMNO?
Banjir: 25 lori, kontena Amal S'gor berlepas pagi ini
DEC 07, 2013 HRAKAHDAILY
KUALA LUMPUR: Kumpulan pertama dari Jabatan Amal Selangor yang membawa misi bantuan barangan kepada mangsa banjir berlepas ke Pahang tengah hari tadi.
Pelepasan kumpulan hampir 200 orang yang terdiri daripada Jabatan Amal Selangor, Briged Muslimat dan sukarelawan itu disempurnakan Pesuruhjaya PAS Selngor Iskandar Abdul Samad dalam satu majlis di Gombak pagi tadi.
Misi yang diketuai Pengarah Jabatan Amal Selangor Khairil Anuar Ismail ini membawa barangan keperluan dengan 15 buah lori 5 tan, 10 buah lori 3 tan, sebuah lori kontena, 25 buah kenderaan pacuan empat roda dan 20 buah kereta.
Antara barangan yang dibawa termasuk makanan, selimut, telekung, pakaian baru dan terpakai, pampers dan pelbagai barangan keperluan lain.
Ini merupakan trip pertama dari Amal Selangor, dan trip berikutnya dijadual sepanjang minggu depan.
Dalam pada itu, Jabatan Amal Selangor masih memerlukan sukarelawan dan juga sumbangan berterusan bagi membantu misi ini. Sumbangan kewangan boleh disalurkan melalui akaun Bank islam Amal Selangor 12010010035434.
cocky jenabchen123, you are really a a$$#ole, now read this....still want to carry UMNO balls???
You will never see this in the main stream paper.PAS Selangor have sent 20 truck loads of foodstuff and goods to the east coast to help the flood victims.
cocky jenabchen123, you are really a a$$#ole, now see this picture. Still UMNO helping or is it PAS Amal Squad? cocky jenabchen123,you are cocky blind. Leadership by example.Ustaz Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi,PAS deputy youth chief.
ADA SEORANG MENTERI UMNO BILA MASA PILIHANRAYA BUKAN MAIN SEMBAH RAKYAT SIAP BERLAKON MEMOTONG GETAH LAGI....TAPI BILA MASA RAKYAT DITIMPA MUSIBAH BANJIR, MEREKA BUAT TAK PEDULI SIAP BOLEH MENONTON WAYANG TANDA PUTERA LAGI.....KAHKAHKAH......
Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin Banjir yang melanda beberapa kawasan seperti di Pahang; Kuantan, Pekan, Indera Makhkota, Terengganu; Kemaman dan lain- lain semakin buruk.
Bagi meringankan beban mereka, hulurkan sedikit bantuan bagi meringankan beban rakan-rakan kita.
Boleh menghulurkan bantuan melalui akaun Timbalan Bendahari AMK, Puan Zara Zahari:
1621 7967 8902 (Maybank)
Semoga usaha kecil ini boleh meringankan beban yang besar.
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This book is the result of the author's many years of experience and observation throughout his 26 years in the stockbroking industry. It was written for general public to learn to invest based on facts and not on fantasies or hearsay....
Posted by whizzkid125 > 2013-12-05 14:15 | Report Abuse
Multiple cost increases will force malls to raise prices, says shopping mall group Shopping malls in Malaysia, especially in urban areas, would have to transfer the burden of increased operating costs to consumers, said a shopping mall group. Calling the recent government measures a “triple blow” for commercial outlets, the group cited the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, the proposed increase in assessment rates and the electricity tariff hike as reasons for rising inflation. “Electricity is the single largest expenditure for shopping malls. This will definitely impact the competitiveness of our shopping malls and our status as a global shopping destination,” said Malaysian Shopping Mall Association and Highrise Complex Management president H.C. Chan. In a report by The Star, Chan said that the 16.85% tariff hike applicable for those under the industrial category is “too steep” for operators. Three days ago, the government announced that it would increase its electricity tariff by 14.98% for households, following other reforms to keep its books in the black. However, the announcement was met with criticism, including by groups such as the Islamic Consumer Association of Malaysia. Its chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan Johar told The Star that the tariff increase is an additional burden on top of other price hikes. Malaysia recently reduced its fuel subsidies by 20 sen per litre in September, followed by the elimination of its sugar subsidy of 34 cents per kg in October. “The quality of the service must also be improved to ensure consumers’ satisfaction and that they don’t experience power cuts,” said Nadzim, commenting on Tenaga Nasional Berhad's performance. The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said that in light of a tariff increase, the public has to be educated on methods for conserving energy. “The people need to be informed about the kinds of energy-saving equipment they can use and about better usage of electricity at home,” said Datuk Paul Selvaraj, secretary-general of Fomca. - December 5, 2013.