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Created: 07 August 2018

PENCEMARAN di Sungai Semenyih sebabkan Loji Rawatan Air (LRA) Sungai Semenyih terpaksa ditutup berulang kali. - Foto hiasan

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Created: 07 August 2018

Malaysia mempunyai lebih 1.32 juta tangki septic individu dan Pahang mempunyai sebanyak 137,569 tangki septic individu. Tangki septic individu (IST) merupakan jenis sistem pembetungan yang paling 'ringkas’ dan mempunyai ruang simpanan yang terhad. Sesebuah IST itu meliputi dua ruang yang bersambung secara bersiri. Di dalam ruang yang pertama, pepejal daripada kumbahan akan mendap dan membentuk "enapcemar" manakala gris dan minyak akan terapung di permukaan dan membentuk lapisan skum. Efluen di antara lapisan skum dan enap cemar akan mengalir keruang kedua di mana pemendapan seterusnya akan berlaku. Akhirnya, efluen akan meninggalkan ruang yang kedua dan akan dilepaskan kelongkang atau parit. Sekiranya, IST tidak dikosongkan secara berjadual maka enap cemar dalam ruang IST akan melimpah keluar dan mencemari longkang dan parit.

Persatuan Pengguna Air dan Tenaga Malaysia (WECAM) dengan kerjasama Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN) dan Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK) telah pun menjalankan aktiviti pengosongan tangki septic individu  di 50 buah premis di kawasan Taman Balok Makmur, Balok. Aktiviti pengosongan tangki septic individu ini adalah merupakan intipati bagi Program Kesedaran Pengosongan Tangki Septik Individu Peringkat Negeri Pahang yang bakal diadakan pada awal bulan Mei 2017. Program kesedaran ini dijalankan adalah untuk memupuk kesedaran orang ramai khususnya penduduk di sekitar Balok mengenai kepentingan pengosongan tangki septic individu (IST) kepada alam sekitar dan kesihatan awam. Hal ini selaras dengan isu pencemaran Sungai Nyior yang berlaku pada awal tahun 2016 yang dikatakan berpunca daripada limpahan air kumbahan dan enap cemar daripada IST milik premis penduduk sekitar ke longkang dan seterusnya dialirkan ke dalam sungai. Pengosongan IST di Taman Balok Makmur adalah berdasarkan kaji selidik yang dijalankan oleh IWK di mana didapati bahawa selama lebih 20 tahun penduduk di perumahan Taman Balok Makmur tidak melakukan pengosongan IST.

Air kumbahan yang disalurkan terus ke dalam sungai  tanpa melalui proses rawatan boleh mengganggu gugat ekosistem sungai, mencemarkan sumber air dan boleh mendatangkan mudarat kepada kesihatan awam. Oleh sebab itu, sekiranya didapati sesebuah premis gagal untuk memastikan sistem pembetungan persendirian mereka berada dalam keadaan bersih dan baik maka ia boleh dikenakan denda tidak lebih lima puluh ribu ringgit (RM 50,000) atau dipenjarakan tidak lebih daripada enam (6) bulan atau kedua-duanya di bawah Akta Industri Perkhidmatan Air 2006 Seksyen 66 (1), jika disabitkan kesalahan.

Kempen kesedaran ini bersesuaian dengan tema Hari Air Sedunia 2017 iaitu Air Sisa (Wastewater) di mana ia menekankan tentang kepentingan penggunaan semula air sisa untuk tujuan tertentu. Air sisa yang tidak dirawat boleh mengakibatkan pencemaran alam sekitar namun air sisa yang dirawat boleh menyelamatkan alam sekitar. Air sisa juga boleh dirawat dan boleh dijadikan sumber minuman. Oleh itu, amat penting untuk kita memastikan tangki septic individu perlu dikosongkan secara berkala dalam memastikan sumber air dipelihara.

Nur Imani Abdullah
Eksekutif Pendikan dan Polisi
Persatuan Pengguna Air dan Tenaga Malaysia

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Created: 07 August 2018

Recycling is not only applicable for aluminium cans, glass bottles, and newspapers but it is also applied to water. Water recycling is reusing treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing, and replenishing a ground water basin. According to the Former Chief Executive Officer Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), Datuk Abdul KadirMohd Din, the treated wastewater produced by IWK on 2014 is 6,000 plants amounts to 4,000 million litres a day, which is a quarter of the water used for drinking. If that huge amount of recycled water use for non-potable uses, Malaysia could save tap water for other necessary purposes such as for human consumption.

Water recycling could be the sustainable alternative water source and it is reliable source especially during drought as the wastewater is produced every single day at any time.Wastewater is available in significant volumes that increase with urban growth. Thus, it will increases a community’s available water supply and by then Malaysians will no more faced the water shortages problem in the future.

In fact, it is predicted that in the future, there might be happening water shortages for certain countries. Hence, Malaysia should really put reclaimed water into prominent consideration as well as other options such as groundwater and surface run-off water. Diversifying our water sources helps ensure water security. As the recent water crisis showed, it will be imprudent to just rely on rivers for our water needs.The United Nations (UN)warns that half the world population will face water scarcity by 2030, due to the accelerated climate change and population growth. Wide scale and long term water shortages could affect the food production, as well as could cause major health crisis by the increased exposure to unsanitary water. Recently, due to the insufficient clean water it already kills millions of people each year through waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea.

There are few advantages that benefitted the consumers and country. By using wastewater as a resource rather than a waste product you can:

• Reduce water bills

• Use fewer water resources

• Irrigate the garden during drought or water restrictions

• Cut down the amount of pollution going into waterways

• Help save money on new infrastructure for water supplies and wastewater treatment

• Decrease demand on infrastructure for sewage transport, treatment and disposal, allowing it to work better and last longer.

Reusing of wastewater from sinks, shower and dishwasher can be done at home. The wastewater comes from the sinks, shower and dishwasher is called greywater. The greywater can be used to wash the cars, to watering the plants and to flush the toilet. However, the recycled water is non-potable which means it is not suitable for human consumption. By reusing the grey water for other non-potable purposes can reduce the water bill as well as can save the water especially during the drought.

Recycled water can satisfy most water demands, as long as it is treated adequately. However, most of the public might be sceptical about using the recycled water. Having thought of using recycled water to be used in daily routine would disgust them. Hence, in order to change the public scepticism, more and more public education on this matter should be done. The water players also need to ensure that the reclaimed water quality will meet the raw water quality standards.

In conclusion, there will always have alternative ways to solve the water crisis. The government need to look for other options rather than to fully rely on the current water resources to meet the water demand which keep rising along with the urban growth.

Nur Imani Abdullah

Research & Policy Executive

Water and Energy Consumer Association (WECAM)

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Created: 07 August 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Kementerian Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air (KeTTHA) sentiasa memberi penekanan kepada strategi pengurusan permintaan air yang efisien bagi memastikan usaha sekarang mampu menjamin bekalan air pada masa depan sentiasa terpelihara.

Timbalan Menteri Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air, Datuk Seri S.K Devamany, berkata kementeriannya telah menyusun beberapa strategi yang diyakini berkesan bagi menguruskan sumber air negara secara lestari dan mampan.

"Antara strategi tersebut adalah penyelarasan tarif air secara berterusan ke arah pencapaian kos sebenar perbekalan air mencakupi aspek pemuliharaan kawasan tadahan, kos rawatan dan agihan serta kos rawatan air kumbahan sebelum dilepaskan semula ke alam sekitar.
"Aspek penguatkuasaan dan pengawalan ke atas kes-kes kecurian dan pencemaran sumber air juga perlu ditingkatkan," katanya semasa sesi soal jawab pada persidangan Dewan Negara di sini pada Selasa.

Beliau berkata demikian bagi menjawab soalan Senator Datuk Koh Chin Han mengenai tindakan kerajaan untuk memastikan bekalan air pada masa depan terpelihara berikutan bilangan penduduk negara kian meningkat dan sering berlaku kes gangguan bekalan air.

Devamany berkata kementerian turut memberi penekanan kepada penerokaan dan penggunaan sumber air alternatif seperti air hujan dan penggunaan air kumbahan terawat dari loji rawatan air kumbahan sebagai satu daripada sumber air utama bagi mengurangkan kebergantungan terhadap sumber air sedia ada.

Katanya, di bawah Pelan Induk Teknologi Hijau, kerajaan menyasarkan 50 peratus bahan enap cemar digunakan semula dan satu pertiga penggunaan semula efluen terawat menjelang tahun 2030.

Devamany juga menasihati orang ramai supaya sentiasa berjimat cermat dalam penggunaan air bagi keperluan harian selain mengambil langkah seperti menggunakan air hujan bagi tujuan membasuh kereta dan menyiram tanaman agar dapat menurunkan penggunaan air terawat.

-- BERNAMA

Sumber :- http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/strategi-pengurusan-permintaan-air-jamin-bekalan-air-negara-terpelihara-153145

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Created: 07 August 2018

PETALING JAYA 25 Okt — Orang ramai perlu diserapkan dengan kempen kesedaran bagi mengikis “mentaliti subsidi” daripada diri mereka.

Langkah itu akan menjadikan mereka tidak mudah goyah dalam mengharungi kelembapan ekonomi, kata Presiden Gabungan Persatuan-persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca) Datuk N. Marimuthu hari ini.Beliau berkata sungguhpun aspek itu tidak diberi penekanan dalam pembentangan bajet baru-baru ini, gabungan itu bagaimanapun berharap peruntukan akan diwujudkan bagi mengadakan program seperti itu di seluruh negara.

Katanya subsidi sepatutnya hanya tertumpu kepada golongan miskin serta terpinggir dan memastikan sebuah jaringan keselamatan sosial yang berkesan, sambil menambah bantuan kepada golongan miskin tegar perlu merangkumi kemasukan ke hospital, faedah pengangguran, pencen bulanan, elaun pengangkutan dan pinjaman khas perumahan.

Mengulas mengenai Bajet 2010, Marimuthu berkata belanjawan itu tidak menekankan kepada jaminan keselamatan makanan jangka panjang meskipun negara mudah terdedah kepada krisis makanan, seperti dalam kes beras tahun lepas.

Mengenai kad kredit, Marimuthu berkata gaji minimum RM1,500 bagi melayakkan diri untuk memiliki kad itu perlu dikuatkuasakan dengan tegas.

Beliau berpendapat mengenakan caj ke atas pengguna sebanyak RM50 setahun bagi setiap kad adalah tidak adil kerana kempen pemasaran agresif pihak bank tidak terbatas, terutamanya membabitkan golongan belia.

Menyentuh tentang pengangkutan awam, beliau berkata pengangkutan awam yang bersepadu perlu diberi keutamaan di peringkat kebangsaan, bukan hanya tertumpu kepada Kuala Lumpur sahaja.

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Created: 03 August 2018

KUALA LUMPUR - Hasrat kerajaan supaya projek perumahan baharu disediakan kemudahan Internet merupakan usaha awal ke arah menjadikan Malaysia sebuah negara maju dan mempunyai kemudahan fasiliti komunikasi yang lengkap kepada masyarakat.

Timbalan Presiden Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca) Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman berkata, penyediaan kemudahan internet seharusnya menjadi kewajipan pemaju di setiap kawasan perumahan kerana ia kini merupakan keperluan kepada semua.

Kerana itu apabila Kementerian Komunikasi dan Multimedia (KKMM) merancang menggubal satu rang undang-undang (RUU) bagi mewajibkan setiap perumahan dan bangunan baharu menyedia akses kepada internet, ia disambut baik banyak pihak.

Beliau turut mengemukakan cadangan kepada KKMM untuk memberi kemudahan itu secara pukal di sesebuah kawasan perumahan agar kos pemasangan Internet dapat dikurangkan.

"Memang kos itu kita tanggung tetapi lebih baik ia dimasukkan ke dalam kos utiliti rumah dan kita tidak perlu ada sebarang kos tambahan lagi. Kerajaan juga perlu memberi kebebasan kepada pengguna untuk memilih syarikat telekomunikasi sendiri," katanya.

Semalam, Menteri Komunikasi dan Multimedia Gobind Singh Deo ketika menggulung perbahasan usul menjunjung kasih titah Yang di-Pertuan Agong bagi kementeriannya di Dewan Rakyat menyatakan cadangan itu kemudahan internet itu, yang boleh dikategorikan sebagai utiliti seperti bekalan elektrik dan air untuk setiap unit rumah.

Presiden Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Maconas) Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill berkata cadangan itu boleh direalisasikan, malah pihaknya mengalu-alukan cadangan itu kerana ia memudahkan orang ramai mendapat akses internet.

"Kos pemasangan internet boleh dikurangkan apabila ia dipasang semasa proses awal pembinaan rumah berbanding setelah rumah siap dibina, pada masa yang sama ia menggunakan infrastruktur sambungan telefon yang dah sedia ada di setiap rumah cuma masuk 'line' saja," katanya.

Amarjit menyarankan agar KKMM turut memberi perhatian dalam menyediakan pembangunan infrastruktur internet di kawasan luar bandar.

Sementara itu, Presiden Persatuan Pengguna Subang dan Shah Alam (Cassa) Datuk Dr Jacob George berpendirian perbincangan secara menyeluruh dan komprehensif perlu diadakan terlebih dahulu dengan semua pihak sebelum mengemukakan sebarang cadangan bagi mengelakkan pengguna menanggung beban pada akhirnya.

Beliau turut menyatakan satu laporan penuh hasil kajian yang melibatkan semua pihak berkepentingan perlu dilakukan di samping melaksanakan satu projek perintis (pilot projek) untuk melihat keberkesanannya. - Bernama

Sumber :: http://www.sinarharian.com.my/nasional/kerajaan-komited-lengkapkan-kemudahan-komunikasi-rakyat-1.863632

2 Ogos 2018, Sinar Harian Online

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Created: 01 August 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: The public should be maximising the zero rated Goods and Services Tax (GST) period by spending more.

Such increased spending can benefit the local economy and boost the country’s economic growth.

With a GST break on 417 items, the public can enjoy better purchasing power– at least until the Sales and Services Tax (SST) kicks in on Sept 1.

The Finance Ministry has stipulated that the zero rated GST be applied for goods and services made in Malaysia as well as those from overseas.

The trade-off is that this will cause the government to lose potentially RM42 billion in revenue. LOWER PRICES A survey by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry found that in June, there was a price drop in only 70 per cent of the 417 items qualified for zero-GST.

The public had therefore yet to fully benefit from the incentive, said its minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The survey which ran from June 1 to 30 found that the prices of essential items declined between 0.04 and 13 per cent.

Prior to June 1, 2018, some 38 percent of items saw a price increase despite it being exempted from GST.

The percentage covers 98 goods, most of which were fresh produce, seafood and other products with short shelf life as well as products which price are subject to supply and demand as well as weather conditions. There was also nearly two per cent increase in standard-rated supplies affecting three out of 156 products.

The vice-president of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said that consumers might not feel the impact of the lower prices as the majority of essential items have already been exempted of GST since the tax was introduced on April 1, 2015.

Consumers needed to correct the perception that a zero-rated GST meant lower prices for all goods.

“That is not the case as the prices of goods are still the same, it is only that there is no longer a 6 per cent GST surcharge on it. For example, if the price of an item is RM10, a 6 percent surcharge would make it RM10.60. But when the GST is zero-rated, they would still need to pay RM10.

“The confusion that arose might be because the prices displayed were not inclusive of GST.

“In addition to that, the premises or shop that claim to not impose GST on its goods might have been absorbing the cost themselves all the while. This might be why there were no changes in prices despite the GST break,” he explained.

A senior lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)’s School of Economics, Finance and Banking Muhammad Ridhuan Bos Abdullah said that as zero rated GST only applied to goods starting June 1, goods that were manufactured prior to the date would still be bound by the GST surcharge.

However, such exceptions should not affect GST-exempt goods like essential food items.

“A bigger change (in price drop) would depend on the actions taken by manufacturers during this zero-GST period.

“Manufacturers would typically respond by saying that they had to factor in input costs (including those affecting imported items) and regulatory requirements that need to be adhered to. This is when the government should step in and monitor the situation from the beginning of the supply chain until the end,” he told Bernama.

Ridhuan said that reducing the prices of goods within a short time frame by giving a GST break was not as effective as supply-side policies such as government subsidies, reducing regulatory burden as well as corporate taxes.

“Most of the supply chains will start off with an existing balance (with GST) and even with the introduction of the SST, there will still not be a significant drop in prices of good in the short term.”

On the move of some restaurants that increase the prices on their menu after the implementation of zero GST, FOMCA’s Mohd Yusof said that consumers had the power to choose and take action.

“The price of food (in restaurants) are not controlled by the government but is up to the restaurants themselves.

“Consumers need to decide for themselves. If they find the prices exorbitant, then they can choose to no longer patronise it.

“If they still frequent a restaurant despite realising how expensive it costs to dine there, they are saying that they are actually okay with the price,” he said, adding that consumers need to exercise their rights to demand for fair prices.

Boycotting a restaurant or lodging a complaint to the relevant authorities were also other ways they could use to pressure a business to change unfair business policies and reduce exorbitant prices. — Bernama

Source :: http://www.theborneopost.com/2018/08/01/maximise-gst-break-by-spending-more/

1 August 2018, The Borneo Post

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Created: 26 July 2018

“If food waste were a country, it would be the world’s third largest greenhouse gases emitter, behind the United States and China”. According to Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) assessment on 2011, one-third of all food produced in the world for human consumption never reached the consumer’s table.

It is equivalent to 1.3 billion tons of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, seafood, and grains rotten on the farm, lost during distribution, or are thrown away in grocery stores, restaurants, and home kitchens. This is also about four times the amount of food needed to feed nearly 800 million people on the planet who went to bed hungry each night.

Food wastage does not only pose a huge economic burden and crucial social problem but it gives a huge impact on the climate change. Food waste which ends up in landfills will produce methane gas. Methane gas is one of the greenhouse gases that warming up the Earth.

Read more: Food wastage leads to climate change

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Created: 24 July 2018

Picture for representational purpose only.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sales and Services Tax (SST), set to take effect on Sept 1, is poised to be beneficial for the people as it will enable them to cope with the cost of living better.

This single-stage tax is only imposed on manufacturers whereas the six per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST), which was introduced in April 2015 and zero-rated on June 1 this year, was a multi-stage tax payable by all parties in the supply chain.

Also, SST is only taxable on 38% of the consumer price index basket of goods and services, compared with GST which covered 60%.

Among the food items to be exempted from SST are sardines, milk, coffee, tea and chilli sauce.

The Finance Ministry has given its assurance that the implementation of an improved version of SST would lead to RM23 billion in taxes collected being 'returned' to the people, thus helping them to ease their financial burden.

Enhance purchasing power

Kuala Lumpur International Chamber of Commerce advisor Datuk Dr Sharifuddin Musa, who is also FM Plastic Industries Sdn Bhd chairman, said the implementation of SST would increase the purchasing power of consumers which, in turn, would boost the nation's economy.

Acknowledging that the tax would have an impact on manufacturers, he said it was, however, not an issue as consumers, particularly those in the medium- and low-income brackets, were set to reap the benefits.

"When GST was enforced everybody, regardless of whether they were poor or rich, had to pay the six per cent tax if they purchased goods on which GST was imposed. Due to this, people were reluctant to spend their money. But after this (reintroduction of SST), their purchasing power will increase because they no longer have to pay more (for goods)," he told Bernama.

He also noted that the government was maintaining the SST at six per cent for the services tax and 10% for the sales tax.

"The only thing that is uncertain is how it will be calculated as it may be different," said Sharifuddin, who hoped that the SST would not be imposed on all industries.

"I hope the government will consider exempting small and medium-sized enterprises, and perhaps bumiputera companies, from SST."

He is confident that the implementation of SST would help to stimulate the services industry, such as hotels and express bus and taxi services, due to the potential savings to be made by the operators concerned.

Improve enforcement

Meanwhile, former Universiti Utara Malaysia international business management lecturer Prof Dr Mohamad Hanapi Mohamad said under the GST regime, the tax as well as profit margin were imposed at every level of the supply chain, starting from the manufacturer to the wholesaler and retailer and finally the end-user (consumer).

He said if the supply chain had many more levels the consumer would end up being burdened as they would be forced to pay higher prices for goods on which GST is imposed.

Whilst expressing support for the reintroduction of SST, he said the government should, however, monitor the business community and step up its enforcement activities to make sure that traders did not take advantage of the situation by hiking up prices indiscriminately.

"It will be worrying if prices are raised not due to SST but because of the action of some sellers who will try to shift the tax burden to the end-users (buyers).

"In the implementation of this tax system, there is the element of input, processes and output. It's important to monitor how the inputs and processes take effect to avoid any leakage. If the authorities can oversee this matter effectively, the SST will certainly bring more benefits than GST," he explained.

Mohamad Hanapi, who is also a member of the board of directors of Picoms International University College, said the Pakatan Harapan government's thrust on transparency and integrity would also be a plus point for the effective implementation of SST,

Stop the blame game

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) advisor Datuk Prof Mohd Hamdan Adnan expects the prices of goods to decrease after SST is implemented but said there were many other factors which the authorities have to pay attention to.

Apart from carrying out effective enforcement, the government should try to prevent the business community from playing the blame game.

"Usually, the retailers will blame the middle-man who, in turn, will blame the manufacturer (for any price increase)... this is often the reason (they give) for price hikes.

"We want all the parties involved to charge reasonable prices. We don't want the retailers to incur losses, neither do we want consumers to suffer. Hence, the government should find the best formula (to check the rising prices of goods) as many factors are involved... the authorities concerned should also carry out regular checks," he added. — Bernama

Source :: http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2018/07/23/higher-purchasing-power-consumers-under-sst-analysts

23 July 2018, The Sundaily Online

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Created: 23 July 2018

PETALING JAYA: The number of complaints on price hikes reported to the Government tripled after the zero-rating of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said there were 1,400 complaints in May and with zero-rated GST from June 1, 4,500 complaints had been lodged by the end of June.

“Half the complaints were on price hikes on food and drinks at restaurants,” he said after attending the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) Council Installation Night 2018 event at a hotel here.

Saifuddin urged the people to be the “eyes and ears of the Government” to monitor the prices of goods.

“The people, as consumers, will know best about the movement of prices.

“They spend at hypermarkets and retail shops, so they will know.

“The best way will be to alert the ministry so that we can formulate strategic plans,” he said.

One for the album: Chua (seventh from right) and Saifuddin (seventh from left) posing for a photo with past presidents, advisers, corporate patrons, council members and guests at the MRCA Council Installation Night 2018 event at One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya.

Saifuddin said the ministry has 1,044 officers to assist and keep track of prices.

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association president Ayoob Khan Muhamad Yakub, when contacted yesterday for comment, maintained that the members had not increased prices for food and drinks.

He said the association’s 4,000 Muslim restaurant owners were operating their businesses within the requirements set by the Government.

“However, if there is any price hike, consumers have the right to complain to the ministry,” he added.

Fomca deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said consumers have been expressing their dissatisfaction on social media over the prices of goods.

At the event, MRCA president Datuk Seri Garry Chua was re-elected for a second term based on his achievements and contributions to the retail and franchise industry.

Saifuddin witnessed the swearing-in of Chua and his council members for the new 2018-2020 term.

Source :: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/07/23/more-complaints-after-zerorated-gst-saifuddin-half-of-it-were-on-price-hikes-on-food-and-drinks-at-r/#DkUzHxqkoeci3i5i.99

23 Julai 2018, The Star Online.