Latest news with #RM25
The Sun
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
EU bars China firms from major medical equipment deals
BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) yesterday banned Chinese firms from government medical device purchases worth more than €5 million (RM25 million) in retaliation for limits Beijing places on access to its own market. The latest salvo in trade tensions between the 27-nation bloc and China covers a wide range of healthcare supplies, from surgical masks to X-ray machines, that represent a market worth €150 billion in the EU. 'Our aim with these measures is to level the playing field for EU businesses,' the bloc's trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said. 'We remain committed to dialogue with China to resolve these issues.' In response, China accused the EU of 'double standards'. 'The EU has always boasted that it is the most open market in the world, but in reality, it has gradually moved towards protectionism', foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular press briefing. 'Under the guise of fair competition (the EU) actually carries out unfair competition, which is a typical case of double standards.' The European Commission said in a statement the move was in 'response to China's longstanding exclusion of EU-made medical devices from Chinese government contracts.' Brussels said just under 90% of public procurement contracts for medical devices in China 'were subject to exclusionary and discriminatory measures' against EU firms. In addition to barring Chinese firms from major state purchases, 'inputs from China for successful bids' would also be limited to 50%, it said. Over the last three years, Brussels and Beijing have come into conflict in a number of economic sectors, including electric cars, the rail industry, solar panels and wind turbines. The decision on medical devices comes at a time of heightened trade tensions with President Donald Trump, which has imposed customs surcharges on imports from all over the world, including Europe. The EU has decided to take a tougher stance on trade in recent years, adopting a vast arsenal of legislation to better defend its businesses against unfair competition. In April 2024, the commission opened an investigation into Chinese public contracts for medical devices, the first under a new mechanism introduced by the EU in 2022 to obtain better access to overseas state purchases. China, on the other hand, accuses Europe of protectionism. After a year of negotiations, the commission, which manages trade policy on behalf of the 27 member states, said it had failed to make any progress with China. 'The measure seeks to incentivise China to cease its discrimination against EU firms and EU-made medical devices and treat EU companies with the same openness as the EU does with Chinese firms and products,' Brussels said. – AFP
New Straits Times
14 hours ago
- New Straits Times
High Court upholds senior cop's one-year jail sentence for graft
KUANTAN: The High Court here today upheld the jail sentence and fine imposed on a senior police officer convicted of accepting a RM5,000 bribe in connection with a drug case seven years ago. Judge Datuk Mohd Radzi Harun dismissed the appeal by Assistant Superintendent Hasbullah Ali Alias, 48, against the one-year jail term and RM25,000 fine meted out by the Sessions Court here on Dec 15, 2023. Hasbullah, who is attached to the Pahang Narcotics Crime Investigation Department, was charged with receiving a bribe from a man at a restaurant in Jalan Beserah here at 12.37pm on May 7, 2018. The prosecution was handled by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Muhamad Asraf Mohamed Tahir, while the accused was represented by lawyer Ahmad Nur Faid Afiq Aziz. Ahmad Nur Faid applied for a stay of execution, pending Hasbullah's appeal at the Court of Appeal. Asraf told the court to impose a higher bail amount to ensure that Hasbullah attends court. Radzi granted the stay, offering bail at RM15,000 and ordered the accused to report to the nearest MACC office on the first Monday of every month. Hasbullah was told to surrender his passport until the case concludes. Hasbullah, who has been suspended from duty, has 14 days to file an appeal to a higher court.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Tenaganita commends RM1.55 million payout order to Bangladeshi workers
KUALA LUMPUR: Human rights organisation Tenaganita has commended a recent decision by the Kuala Lumpur Labour Department, which ordered Meranti Binamas Sdn Bhd to pay nearly RM1.55 million in unpaid wages and related violations to 74 Bangladeshi migrant workers. The payment, totaling RM1,548,000, follows claims filed by the workers through Tenaganita for unpaid wages and related labour violations. Tenaganita executive director Glorene A Das said the latest development represents a significant step forward in the fight for justice and dignity for migrant workers in Malaysia. "The decision affirms that employers must be held accountable for their obligations and that the rights of workers, particularly migrant workers who are often silenced and made invisibilise, must be asserted without compromise," she said in a statement. The case saw the workers, including lead claimant Md Kabir Hossain, pay exorbitant recruitment fees of up to RM25,000 to secure jobs promised under official permits. However, upon arrival in Malaysia, they were left without employment, wages, or adequate living conditions, exposed to legal risks and mental distress. The workers lived for months in overcrowded and unsanitary hostels in Pudu, without income or support, some even contemplating suicide due to the desperation they endured. The case was led by Tenaganita's consultant and lead case officer Abdul Aziz bin Ismail. Aziz, in response to the decision said; "It has been a long and winding road, but we finally have a decision and an order from the Labour Department. This is a significant achievement for the workers and for Tenaganita. It sets yet another precedent that even large, seemingly untouchable companies can be held accountable when workers stand united and demand justice." By ordering Meranti Binamas Sdn Bhd to pay the amounts due, the department has sent a clear message that employers cannot exploit workers with impunity." Such a case was not isolated. "Tenaganita has documented hundreds of similar cases involving fraud, deception, and labour rights violations under the pretense of legal recruitment. We raised these issues in our International Migrants Day 2024 statement, highlighting the systemic failures that have plagued Malaysia's labour migration governance. "Tenaganita continues to urge the government to ensure that the payment is made promptly and in full, and that systemic reform is undertaken to prevent similar abuses in the future. We also call on the authorities to take proactive steps to identify other affected workers and ensure they too have access to redress.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
EPF members may soon use Account 2 for health insurance, says Dzulkefly
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is considering allowing Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members to use their Account 2 savings to pay for monthly health insurance premiums. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said if implemented, 16 million EPF contributors could gain access to private hospital treatments using their contributions. The proposed approach, practised in several other countries, aims to ensure broader health insurance coverage for the public. Currently, 32 per cent of healthcare costs in Malaysia are paid out-of-pocket. However, Dzulkefly stressed that participation in the scheme would be optional. "A small percentage can be used for insurance payment. They won't even feel it, as it doesn't come out of their pocket. It's from the EPF. This is the best way. Eventually, our people will have coverage like in Singapore. But we can't force it," he said. He said the members should have options as some may want broader insurance coverage available in the market. The scheme differs from the ongoing i-Lindung initiative, which only covers disability, critical illness and life protection. The government also plans to launch the 'Rakan KKM' initiative by the third quarter of this year. "For example, hospitals in Putrajaya and Cyberjaya have ward branches and operating theatres that are often underused due to staff shortages. These are considered excess capacity," he explained. Four hospitals have joined the programme so far: Cyberjaya Hospital, Putrajaya Hospital, Serdang Hospital and the National Cancer Institute (IKN). "At the same time, we're creating more room. When people go to Rakan KKM partners, it opens space for the B40 group. They'll enjoy more appointments and access to doctors. This helps the lower-income group and civil servants use public healthcare more efficiently. That's the system we want to build," he added. Fourty public hospitals with a total of 800 beds have been identified to join the Rakan KKM initiative in phases. The project involves a total investment of RM85 million, including a RM25 million allocation under the 2025 budget.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Man arrested over homeopathy scam that duped single mother
BESUT: Police have arrested a man to assist with investigations into a scam in which a single mother lost RM52,000 after being lured into investing in a homeopathy-based business. Besut police chief Superintendent Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu said the 40-year-old suspect was detained at his home in Machang, Kelantan, at 3.20pm yesterday. The arrest followed a report lodged by a 43-year-old woman who claimed she was duped by the man over a homeopathy business deal yesterday. "According to her statement, the unemployed victim met the suspect on the MiChat application in early March last year. "During their acquaintance, the suspect invited the victim to invest in a homeopathy-based business, to which she agreed. "She made three separate payments — RM25,000, RM20,000 and RM7,000 — on different dates and at different locations," he said. Azamuddin added that the payments were made as a business deposit, full investment, product purchase, and promotional materials. However, the suspect later claimed there were issues with the business arrangement as promised to the victim on Aug 26 last year. "The woman grew suspicious and asked for purchase receipts, but the suspect failed to provide any," he said.
