Latest news with #PETALINGJAYA
The Star
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Leaders slam US strikes on Iran
Call for restraint: (From left) Anwar, Mahfuz and Abdul Hadi denounced US attacks on Iran, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to global peace. PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysian political leaders stood together in their condemnation of the military strikes by the United States on Iran, describing the attacks as a violation of international law and a threat to global stability. The leaders are calling for immediate international action, including intervention by the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). During a function in Kuching yesterday, Anwar urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to stop its provocative and aggressive actions. He said lasting peace could only be achieved if Israel ceases its violent conduct towards other countries. 'For genuine peace to be realised, Israel must be pressured to stop being provocative and violent towards other nations,' he said. Anwar said Malaysia has taken a fair and balanced stance on the issue. 'When you launch attacks and kill people, of course, there will be retaliation from Iran,' he said. He also said the continued killing of civilians in Gaza, including women and children, and the latest strikes on Iran, have worsened the situation, especially with foreign involvement from countries like the United States. 'Now they are attacking Iran, and Iran has chosen to fight back. The intervention by external powers such as the United States will only escalate the conflict further,' he added. He also warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will have serious implications for the global economy. Anwar said Malaysia must continue to speak out in defence of human rights and justice. 'For me, the most important thing is the sanctity of human life and justice. Stop the violence. 'People say Iran should not respond, but why is Israel allowed to act with such impunity? 'Malaysia is compelled to voice our position. We must not allow a sovereign and independent nation to be silenced when it comes to speaking out about human rights and justice,' he added. Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar urged Putrajaya to convene an emergency parliamentary sitting to discuss the attacks. He said the sitting should discuss Malaysia's official stand and diplomatic response to the conflict; the potential geopolitical and economic impacts on the country, including supply chains, oil prices and regional security; and possible humanitarian assistance that Malaysia could extend to Iranian civilians affected by the violence. 'Parliament should be the platform through which the voice of the Malaysian people is conveyed in a lawful and dignified manner. 'Malaysia has a responsibility to continue playing an active role in promoting global peace through our involvement in the UN, the OIC, the Non-Aligned Movement and Asean. 'I call on the Prime Minister to urgently consider the need for a special parliamentary sitting in defence of the values of justice and universal humanity,' he said. PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang urged the UN Security Council and the OIC to take firm action to stop what he called an uncivilised act of aggression. He warned that failure to act could further destabilise the region and endanger the prospects of global peace. 'The attack not only violates Iran's sovereignty but also constitutes a war crime that clearly breaches international law and the UN Charter. 'PAS is calling for strong and immediate action from the UN Security Council and the OIC to halt this aggression and to condemn the arrogance of the United States, which remains a staunch ally of the illegitimate Israeli regime,' he said.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
‘Parents should be held accountable'
Risky behaviour: A teenager seen riding a motorcycle. Despite 16 being the minimum age to obtain a license, many teenagers can be seen riding around the country. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star PETALING JAYA: Despite alarming numbers of children riding motorcycles and thousands of underage deaths recorded over the years, warnings alone have proven ineffective – largely due to poor parental oversight and lax enforcement, says the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). Suhakam Children's Commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said enforcement efforts are often futile without stronger laws to hold parents accountable and address socio-economic factors driving the trend in rural areas. The findings was based on the government-run Diversion pilot project between 2019-2022 in Port Dickson, Seremban and Sepang, she said. 'I did the implementation study and later the evaluation study. The police from the traffic division and Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK) both attest to parents' attitude towards child safety were lax,' she said. The issue resurfaced following a tragic accident in Johor on Friday, where a 14-year-old motorcyclist caused a friend's death after being flung under a lorry. Farah Nini said the situation around the issue is difficult, especially in many situations when riding a motorcycle to school is a necessity in areas where public transport is not available and transportation is expensive. In Shah Alam alone, it costs a child RM20 for a short trip, she said adding that passing laws is easy but enforcing them is another story. In Malaysia, the minimum age to obtain a motorcycle licence is 16 years old. This applies to classes A, B2, B, and C licenses. For class A1, D, and DA car licences, the minimum age is 17. Previously Farah Nini said that in a span of 13 years, about 2,900 underage persons have died while riding motorcycles. With such high numbers, there have been calls to amend the laws to require more accountability from both the children and parents for flouting the law. Suhakam Commissioner Ragunath Kesavan pointed out there is insufficient enforcement of Section 26 (1) RTA 1987, especially among unlicensed drivers or motorcyclists, as well as basikal lajak and Mat Rempits. On whether existing laws should be amended to make parents more accountable for allowing minors to ride vehicles, he said the punishment can be made more severe to allow accountability. 'There was a lack of education about the issue, which is the cause behind the rampant disobedience of the law. 'There should be strict enforcement of the existing laws, but at the same time it is very difficult to enforce,' said the former Bar Council chairman. Asked whether parents should be held for negligence under the Child Act 2001 for allowing their children to ride on motorcycles, Ragunath said there were sufficient laws in place to address the matter. Meanwhile, Malaysian Council For Child Welfare chairman Datuk Dr Raj Abdul Karim said it was high time that parents be held accountable for negligence under the Child Act 2001 if they fail to safeguard their children who ride motorcycles illegally. She said the onus is on parents as they hold the main responsibility in caring and informing their underaged children about the dangers of riding. 'Parents should take precautionary measures and be vigilant by ensuring the keys are not accessible to their children or allowing them to ride the bikes to nearby destinations. 'There is a reason children are not allowed to ride motorcycles because their reflexes have not fully developed, as such they cannot react in time,' she told The Star. Dr Raj also called on schools to take more responsibility by checking students who come in on motorcycles and teach them about road safety. She said that schools can adopt a buddy system, pairing up troubled students with a big brother to guide them to the right path. She also recommended that children who break the law be sentenced to community service as a means of punishment and to learn from their mistakes. In late 2023, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that his ministry will conduct a review on fines against underage drivers, as stipulated under the Road Transport Act 1987.
The Star
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Amanah urges for emergency parliamentary sitting to be called over Middle East conflict
PETALING JAYA: In response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East following large-scale military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, Amanah has called on the government to convene an emergency parliamentary sitting. Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that the strikes have resulted in the loss of lives and the destruction of public infrastructure in Iran, while also posing a risk of a wider regional conflict that could threaten global stability, including in Southeast Asia. "This is a serious development that warrants immediate attention. Parliament must not remain silent on matters involving universal justice, national sovereignty, and humanitarian concerns," he said in a statement on Sunday (June 22). Mahfuz urged the Dewan Rakyat to convene a special sitting to deliberate on three key issues: Malaysia's official stance and diplomatic response to the conflict; the potential geopolitical and economic impacts on the country, including supply chains, oil prices, and regional security; and possible humanitarian assistance that Malaysia could extend to Iranian civilians affected by the violence. "As the country's highest democratic institution, Parliament must be the platform through which the voice of the Malaysian people is conveyed in a lawful and dignified manner," he said. Mahfuz stressed that Malaysia must reaffirm its position as a principled, neutral nation that consistently rejects all forms of occupation, aggression, and violations of international law. "Malaysia has a responsibility to continue playing an active role in promoting global peace through our involvement in the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and Asean," he said. He added that Malaysians overwhelmingly oppose violence and support peaceful solutions, and as such, the government has both a moral and political obligation to speak clearly and with dignity on the international stage. "I call on the Prime Minister to urgently consider the need for a special parliamentary sitting in defence of the values of justice and universal humanity," he said.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
PAS condemns US attack on Iran
PETALING JAYA: The attack on Iran by the United States is a violation of sovereignty and a war crime under international law, says PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang. He said that the attack amounts to an invasion that contravenes the United Nations Charter. 'This act not only violates Iran's sovereignty but also constitutes a war crime that clearly breaches international law and the UN Charter,' he said on Sunday (June 22). He said that the assault reveals the 'true nature' of the US and its ally, Israel, accusing them of acting like terrorists with no regard for international norms. 'This attack exposes the true face of the United States and its ally, Israel, as terrorists who blatantly disregard international law and universal humanitarian values,' he added. He urged the UN Security Council and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to take firm action against this aggression. 'PAS calls for strong and immediate action from the UN Security Council and the OIC to halt this aggression and to condemn the arrogance of the United States, which remains a staunch ally of the illegitimate Israeli regime,' he said. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
‘Make use of SST grace period'
PETALING JAYA: Companies are required to make retrospective Sales and Service Tax (SST) payments during the grace period, even if the tax was not collected from customers. This obligation arises once firms meet the SST threshold requirements, as stipulated by the Sales Tax Act 2018 and the Service Tax Act 2018. A Finance Ministry spokesman explained that the law deems firms taxable even before registration. 'The grace period until Dec 31 means no prosecution or penalties if registration is completed voluntarily within this time,' the spokesman said. However, companies must still account for and pay the tax owed for past periods during which they were liable but unregistered. The spokesman noted that the Customs Department may assess retrospective tax liability from the date a company meets registration requirements. 'This includes SST on sales or services provided, regardless of whether the tax was collected from customers,' added the spokesman. ALSO READ: Gradual implementation less challenging on businesses, say traders The government announced on June 9 that Sales Tax rates would be revised and the scope of Service Tax would expand, effective July 1. Essential goods' Sales Tax remains unchanged, while a 5% or 10% rate applies to discretionary and non-essential goods. New services like leasing or rental, construction, financial services, private healthcare, education and beauty services are now included under Service Tax. The SST registration threshold varies according to sector – ranging from RM500,000 to RM1.5mil in turnover within 12 months. The expanded SST takes effect on July 1, with a grace period until the end of the year, allowing time for compliance without penalties. Despite the grace period, tax experts say the SST obligations remain. Christine Koh, a partner at Owen KLCA PLT, said businesses should conduct an early review of goods and services to identify taxable items or services. 'Monthly turnover should be tracked, and register yourselves once the threshold is breached.' She also advised updating invoicing and accounting systems, and training finance and sales teams on SST procedures. Koh noted that businesses that have not registered can do so in August and start charging from Sept 1, with separate registration numbers for Sales and Service Tax. 'For instance, a manufacturer registered for Sales Tax must register separately for Service Tax if they earn RM800,000 from rentals,' she said. KPMG Malaysia's Indirect Tax head, Ng Sue Lynn, said businesses with multiple income streams should begin identifying all taxable services and classifying them under the appropriate groups. 'Different taxable services need to be reported in their respective categories accordingly, and may be subject to different Service Tax rates. They may also be eligible for different exemptions.'Proper segregation of income streams supports accurate tax compliance and helps manage risks,' Ng said. 'Businesses are encouraged to assess their operations early, engage with customers and suppliers to reduce disputes, and document compliance efforts to demonstrate due diligence,' she said.
