Thursday, 24 July 2025

Author: Noor Syahhira Hady

Empowering Bumiputera entrepreneurs to drive economy

KUCHING: The Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) kicked off its first 2024-2027 session with a strategic meeting aimed at empowering Bumiputera entrepreneurs to drive Sarawak’s economic transformation toward becoming a ‘Prosperous and Advanced State’ by 2030. Chairing the session, its president Datuk Abang Helmi Ikhwan said that the meeting outlined

Foreigners’ EPF contributions boost the economy

KUCHING: The decision to make foreign workers contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) could have a big impact on how much they help Malaysia’s economy. Right now, these workers don’t pay income tax, but they’re crucial to Malaysia. Dr Dzul Hadzwan Husaini, an economist at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS),

We are planning to push made-in-Sarawak chips to Asean: Premier

KUCHING: Sarawak is eyeing to market its chips within the Asean region. Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that Sarawak is well-positioned to tap into a vast market in the region as it is within reach to everywhere, including East Asia, Korea, and Japan. “Almost

Abang Jo predicts bright future for Sarawak’s younger generation

KUCHING: The Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) marked its 10th anniversary with the launch of the ‘CENTEXS Books of Excellence’, a commemorative publication documenting its decade-long journey in driving technological advancement and innovation in Sarawak. The book, launched by Premier Datuk Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, captures the

Kuching a sought-after destination among Malaysians

KUCHING: Kuching city is one of the sought-after destinations for Malaysian travellers. In a statement Traveloka said other top domestic choices are Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Bharu and Penang. It said during its 10.10 Travel Fest, travellers had looked up destinations that offer a variety of scenic landscapes, cultural

BNM reserves hit USD119.6b

KUCHING: Malaysia’s international reserves held by the Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM) stood at USD119.6 billion (USD1=RM4.30) as of Oct 15, 2024 compared to US$119.7 billion on Sept 30, 2024.In a statement, the bank said that this figure was calculated based on its assets and liabilities, which totaled USD596.87 billion

Boost for workers, challenge for bosses

KUCHING: The government’s decision to increase the minimum wage to RM1,700 by February 2025 has been met with both optimism and concern. Economist Abu Sofian Yaacob welcomed the move, saying it would boost employee morale and productivity. While acknowledging that some businesses might face short-term cost increases, he argued that

SST move welcome but look into rural price differentials

KUCHING: The abolition of Sales and Service Tax (SST) on consumer goods with the exception of a few items is expected to bring down the cost of living for the majority of consumers. However, Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) advisory panel member Datuk Leonard Martin Uning said the

Uncertainty clouds SST expansion plans

KUCHING: The business community has urged for greater clarity on the government’s proposed expansion of the Sales and Services Tax (SST). “We need to know the exact scope of fee-based financial services that would be affected by the proposed SST expansion and whether the rate will be revised,” said Datuk

DUBS cautions against expanded SST on financial services

KUCHING: The Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) has voiced concerns over the government’s proposal to expand the Sales and Services Tax (SST) to include fee-based financial services, cautioning that the move could place a strain on businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Its president Datuk Abang Helmi Ikhwan noted