KUCHING: The federal government’s proposed ‘pay-per-use’ housing fee model may sound fair, but in Sarawak, it runs into a legal brick wall. Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (SHEDA) adviser Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok said while the idea sounds attractive, it has no legal standing under the Sarawak Strata
KUCHING: The shift to targeted RON95 subsidies could mark a turning point in Malaysia’s decades-old fuel policy, plugging leakages and freeing up billions in public funds. Institut Masa Depan Malaysia (MASA) Senior Fellow, Datuk Dr Madeline Berma, said the government’s broader move to roll out targeted subsidies and restructure cash
KUCHING: Sarawak now has its first three-storey industrial units with built-in goods lifts, as Hock Seng Lee (HSL) rolls out the latest phase of Vista Industrial Park (VIP) here. The new units offer up to 5,000 square feet of space and smoother vertical logistics, aimed at helping growing businesses scale
KUCHING: Fuel subsidy reforms risk falling short unless enforcement and MyKad-linked systems are tighten, opined Damith Senanayake. Senanayake, a local well-known Ceylonese Restaurant owner, said the success of Malaysia’s shift to targeted RON95 subsidies depends on how well implementation is managed, particularly in verifying eligibility and enforcing pricing. “Implementation, especially
KUCHING: The Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) is urging its members to stay united and build stronger networks as it positions itself as a more inclusive and competitive platform for Bumiputera entrepreneurs in Sarawak. Its president, Datuk Abang Helmi Ikhwan, said the DUBS Kuching Branch Appreciation Dinner was not only
KUCHING; AirAsia is bringing back direct flights between Kuching and Pontianak, following Indonesia’s reinstatement of Supadio Airport’s international status in West Kalimantan. Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, said the move reconnects Sarawak and West Kalimantan after several years of suspension. “The return of this important air route marks
KUCHING: Charging non-citizens market price for RON95 petrol—even if they drive Malaysian-registered vehicles—could help curb subsidy leakage, though enforcement challenges remain, said Dr Nivakan Sritharan of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak. He noted that the proposed two-tier pricing model—RM1.99 per litre for citizens, and floating rates for foreigners—is a step
KUCHING: Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) schemes are becoming a double-edged sword — offering short-term relief for many households, but potentially driving families into hidden and unmanageable debt if left unregulated. Raising the issue in Parliament, Batang Sadong MP Rodiyah Sapiee warned that BNPL has outgrown its role as a
KUCHING: Sarawak’s projected 6.5 per cent GDP growth this year and surging investor confidence are clear signs of how self-governance can deliver real economic results, says the Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS). Its president, Datuk Abang Helmi Ikhwan, said the state’s economic resilience stems from its strong foundation in oil
KUCHING: Sarawak is undergoing a strategic shift away from its traditional reliance on oil, gas and timber, with increasing investment in renewable energy, digital industries and high-value manufacturing, says Dr Nivakan Sritharan of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak. He said the state’s transformation reflects years of policy reform, infrastructure development,
