LETTER | Some lessons we can learn amidst much suffering
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5 Jan 2021 | Tuesday
LETTER | The year 2020 was supposed to be the year we became a “developed” nation. Instead, it was a year of great suffering for many workers and consumers. It was a year of a health crisis as well as an economic crisis.
As a health crisis, many lost their loved ones or were infected by the dreaded disease. Apart from a strictly physical health crisis, it affected others more deeply.
Mental health issues have increased. Suicides have increased. Beyond that, there were reports of increasing domestic violence.
As an economic crisis, many lost their jobs or had their incomes reduced. Many were stuck with debts or commitments they could not fulfil. Basic needs were affected. Children’s education was affected.
None of this is new. But how do we move forward from here into 2021? There was indeed much suffering, but there are also some lessons to be learnt.
One simple message going viral that “2020 was not a year to expect and plan for what we do not have but appreciate what we do have” can be a start. Let me add some other thoughts.
We need to invest in our health. We do not know when this pandemic will end or the next begin. The next pandemic is not an 'if' but a 'when'. We need to take care of our health and strengthen our immune systems. The suggestions are nothing new: healthier food, exercise, and adequate sleep.
Furthermore, we need to invest in supplements and regular check-ups. Will these protect us? If not completely, certainly they can contribute, to some extent, to reducing the risks and mitigating the negative impacts.
Read more: LETTER | Some lessons we can learn amidst much suffering
Govt offering RM200 e-rebate to buy energy-efficient refrigerators, air conditioners in 2021
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Monday, 04 Jan 2021 3:40 PM MYT
Malaysian households will now be able to apply for an RM200 e-rebate to buy locally-made energy-efficient refrigerators or air conditioners.
Users could apply for the Sustainability Achieved via Energy Efficiency (Save 2.0) programme via the Shopee app, and get an approval within 14 days.
Once approved, users would get RM200 credited to their app wallet.
The programme was available on a first-come-first-serve basis for Malaysians registered with a domestic electric utility company (Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Sarawak Energy Bhd or Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd).
The Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Seda) is executing the programme, in collaboration with the Energy Commission and Shopee.
It aimed to educate the public about energy-efficient appliances and increase the adoption of appliances with four or five star energy ratings.
Last November, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah announced the programme would benefit 140,000 households using an RM30mil allocation under Budget 2021.
Young Msians buying gold as investment make killing when price dips
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December 1, 2020 @ 11:29pm
SHAH ALAM: Young Malaysians appear to be more investment savvy, as many took advantage of a dip in gold prices last week by investing in the precious metal.
According to Khalifah Jewels Shah Alam branch manager Mohd Faiz Mohd Taib, in recent years, his clientele has become younger, and keen on investing in gold.
When the price of the precious metal dropped last week, customers made a beeline for the outlet's branches in Shah Alam and Bangi to trade in old gold or buy new gold.
"Among the factors that affected the price of gold was the United States presidential election and the announcement of the development of the Covid-19 vaccine. This saw the price of gold dip and people are keen to take up the opportunity to buy the precious metal for investment when it is cheaper.
"Also, we have been offering special promotions at our jewellery outlets, since it is the store's sixth anniversary, so people were taking advantage of the promotion to purchase gold jewellery either for the first time or as part of our regular customers.
"We also offer trade-ins to our customers at the current price of gold. Some of our customers purchase their new jewellery, which is much more modern and sleek, by trading their old ones with us," he said.
Read more: Young Msians buying gold as investment make killing when price dips
KWSP: Hati-Hati Dengan Scammer, Ramai Yang Sedang Memerhati- Perunding Kewangan
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24 Dec 2020
Hati-hati melabur, jangan sampai melebur
Nampaknya ramai yang sudah buat permohonan untuk pengeluaran wang KWSP melalui program i-Sinar. Jadi, adakah anda sudah merancang perbelanjaan dengan wang tersebut?
Bagaimanapun, dalam keghairahan menerima wang jangan sesekali alpa dengan janji-janji palsu daripada pihak tidak bertanggungjawab seperti scammer.
Baru-baru ini, Astro Awani ada menemubual seorang perunding kewangan iaitu Abuayubul Ansari. Beliau menasihatkan risiko melabur pada waktu ini sangat tinggi kerana para scammer sedang memerhati mangsa untuk ditipu.
"Kalau dapat duit ini jangan masuk pelaburan sebab banyak scam sudah memerhatikan anda dan ia sangat memberi risiko.
"Ketika pandemik ini eloklah kita simpan sebab tidak tahu bila kemelesetan eknonomi ini akan berakhir dan sekurangnya kita bersedia ada simpanan," jelas Abuayubul atau lebih dikenali sebagai Abang Abu.
Tapi Abang Abu turut mencadang anda untuk menggunakan sedikit wang tersebut dengan menghadiri kursus-kursus terutama berkaitan digital. Tak pun, anda boleh menggunakan inisiatif kerajaan yang ada dengan kursus percuma.
Jadi, apabila sudah menerima wang kelak simpan dan gunakan dengan sebaiknya.
Sumber: Astro Awani
Pengguna boleh kemuka tuntutan terhadap pembekal khidmat telekomunikasi
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Disember 23, 2020 17:48 MYT
KUALA LUMPUR: Pengguna boleh mengemukakan tuntutan terhadap pembekal perkhidmatan telekomunikasi sekiranya terdapat kemungkiran atau ketidakpuasan terhadap perkhidmatan yang dijanjikan.
Pengerusi Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna Malaysia (TTPM) Wan Rufaidah Wan Omar berkata jika tuntutan itu turut melibatkan isu terma-terma kontrak yang tidak adil, pihaknya boleh menimbangkan untuk mengetepi atau mengubah terma-terma yang tidak adil itu yang termaktub di bawah Akta Perlindungan Pengguna 1999.
"Memandangkan kontrak pembekal perkhidmatan lazimnya telah disediakan secara standard dan tidak dirundingi oleh kedua-dua pihak, pengguna disarankan untuk membaca syarat dan terma kontrak sebelum menandatangani atau bersetuju untuk menerima perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan," katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam ceramah bertajuk 'Kesilapan Umum Pengguna Sebelum dan Selepas Melanggan Perkhidmatan' anjuran Forum Pengguna Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (CFM) yang berlangsung di laman sosial Facebook CFM, baru-baru ini.
Beliau yang merupakan salah seorang penceramah di program itu berkata demikian ketika disoal oleh seorang penonton sama ada terdapat sebarang akta yang boleh melindungi pengguna sekiranya timbul percanggahan dalam kontrak.
Mengulas lanjut, Wan Rufaidah berkata pihaknya akan meneliti semula kandungan kontrak perkhidmatan terbabit sekiranya kes 'berat sebelah' itu dilaporkan kepada TTPM.
Read more: Pengguna boleh kemuka tuntutan terhadap pembekal khidmat telekomunikasi
Domestic Trade Ministry: Don't make hasty decision by stopping the sale of imported meat
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December 23, 2020 @ 5:33pm
PUTRAJAYA: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has called on traders not to make any hasty decision over the sale of frozen meat in the country amid concerns over its halal status following the recent discovery of fake halal certification.
Its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said, by collectively stop the sale of frozen meat in an abrupt manner, meat traders could pose a problem for many consumers.
"This could inevitably lead to the sale of genuine halal-certified meat in the market being halted as well, causing a problem to those who want to consume the meat," he said.
Alexander was responding to the New Straits Times (NST) report on calls by Kuala Lumpur Bumiputera Traders and Hawkers Association to its members to temporarily halt the sale of beef-based products, following reports that a meat cartel had been importing non-certified halal meat and slapping it with fake halal certificates.
Yesterday, its president Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman had said the move was necessary to address the growing doubt over the halal status of frozen beef in the market.
Alexander said Muslim consumers were advised to refrain from buying imported frozen meat if they feel uncertain of its halal status.
"Only buy from reliable sources while waiting for the investigations to be concluded," he said at the launch of Back to School Programme and Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) Prihatin Business Registration Scheme (SPPP) held at the ministry's today.
Read more: Domestic Trade Ministry: Don't make hasty decision by stopping the sale of imported meat
Fomca: Stop increasing medical insurance premiums
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16 December 2020
PETALING JAYA: Insurance companies have been urged to stop increasing the premiums of medical insurance.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumer Association (Fomca) said this will impact the affordability of premiums for policyholders.
“Notices are being sent to policy holders at the time when consumers are still struggling to make ends meet which is very unjust and unfair,” its president Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason (pix) said in a statement today.
“Fomca advocates for the deferment of repricing rollout by insurance companies which was initially intended to take effect in 2020. However, due to the severe economic disruption caused by the pandemic, the one-year postponement does not provide enough breathing space for policyholders who remain burdened by economic and employment uncertainties.”
Marimuthu said hospital occupancy has decreased tremendously due to the Covid-19, thus insurance companies will have a lesser pay out compared to previous years.
“It was also reported by the Association of Private Hospitals that private hospitals and clinics have seen a drop of almost 70%, thus resulting in a healthier loss/claims ratio as well as improved overall profitability for insurers,” he said.
“Besides that, with many losing jobs and taking pay cuts, it is both an emotional and financial stress for policy holders keep up with the current premiums, what more if the insurance industry goes ahead with the repricing exercise we fear that many policies would be surrendered or lapse due to premium increase.”
Read more: Fomca: Stop increasing medical insurance premiums
PDRM: Scammers may be stealing your personal info from discarded delivery packages
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Monday, 14 Dec 2020 | 6:15 PM MYT
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is warning members of the public to be careful when throwing out empty delivery packaging, as scammers can easily steal their personal information from them and use their details for nefarious purposes.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Zainuddin Yaacob said this in a statement after a viral video depicted an unidentified fraudster retrieving the name, phone number and home address of a victim from a delivery package that had been discarded at a rubbish bin in a public area.
The scammer then began repeatedly contacting the victim in multiple attempts to extort money from them. The statement also revealed that the suspect later posed as an employee of a delivery company and showed up at the victim’s home, demanding that the victim’s family pay for a package that had allegedly been ordered but not yet paid for.
In order to convince the family member of the victim to make the payment, they were reportedly even told to scan a barcode before they could accept the ordered item.
Datuk Zainuddin said although the authorities have yet to receive any reports of such incidents, he said that investigations will be conducted under Section 420 of the Penal Code which stipulates that a ten-year prison sentence and caning will be carried out for such offences.Members of the public are urged to lodge a police report to help with investigations if they have fallen victim to such scams.
Read more: PDRM: Scammers may be stealing your personal info from discarded delivery packages
Six states still have low treated water reserves
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Thursday, 10 Dec 2020
KUALA LUMPUR: Six states recorded a reserve margin of below 15% in treated water during the second quarter of the year, says Deputy Environment and Water Minister (KASA) Datuk Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad.
They are Johor (11.3%), Sabah (8.3%), Perlis (7.1%), Selangor (1.5%), Kelantan (-0.25) and Kedah (-2.3%).
“Through the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) which acts as the regulatory body of the national water services industry, KASA has set the key performance indicators of treated water margin reserves that need to be complied with and achieved by all state water operators at 10 to 15%, ” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Ahmad Masrizal was responding to a question from Datuk Ahmad Nazlan Idris (BN-Jerantut) on the ministry’s initiative to address the low treated water reserve margin in the country and plans to increase water sources.
For Selangor, he said the completion of the Langat 2 Plant in 2023 would increase the treated water margin reserve to 10%.
For Kelantan, he said completion of the water treatment plant in Kg Teluk, scheduled next year, would increase the water margin reserve to 4%.
“For Kedah, five plants, for which tenders have been approved, are expected to be completed in 2023 and they will increase the water reserve margin to 21%, ” he said.
On the treated water margin reserve for the whole country, Ahmad Masrizal said: “It is at 11.5% or 1.943 million litres per day as of the second quarter of this year.”
Water cut or not: Confusion among consumers after Sg S'gor water treatment plants shut briefly due to pollution
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Tuesday, 08 Dec 2020 l 10:03 AM MYT
PETALING JAYA: There is confusion among consumers whether the latest raw water pollution incident at Sungai Selangor would affect their water supply or not.
In its latest update on its social media accounts, Air Selangor said four water treatment plants along Sungai Selangor are back in operation Tuesday (Dec 8) morning after being shutdown earlier due to pollution.
However, it did not give an indication as to how this would affect water supply of households in the Klang Valley.
“The treatment plants are operating. We are doing our best to stabilise the distribution system.
“Please refer to the information which would be updated from time to time on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, the AirSelangor app and our website, ” it said in reply to an enquiry by a Twitter user as to whether the water supply was disrupted.
Earlier, Air Selangor said the Rantau Panjang water treatment plant stopped operations at 11.30pm Monday (Dec 7) while Phases 1,2 and 3 of the Sungai Selangor water treatment plants had to stop at 1am Tuesday.
In its earlier notice, Air Selangor also said the halt in the operations caused unscheduled water cuts in 1,274 areas in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Kuala Langat.
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