Latest news with #Voon
Borneo Post
14 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Putrajaya asked to exempt imported fruits, food from expanded SST
The expanded SST will cover imported fruits and food including fish, apples, cereals, and dairy products. — Photo by Viktoria Slowikowska/Pexels KUCHING (June 20): Putrajaya has been asked to exclude daily essential imported fruits and food from the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) effective next month. In making the appeal, social activist Voon Shiak Ni said the SST rate had already increased to 8 per cent, from 6 per cent, on March 1 last year. She said the people are concerned about the implementation of the expanded SST as most essential goods will see a price hike. 'The expanded SST will cover imported fruits and food including fish as well as imported fruits like apples, cereals, and dairy products. 'Most of the goods affected are essential fruits and food for children and also the elderly, as they are essential food for their health,' she said in a statement today. Voon opined apples and cereals should not be considered luxury food items because they are essential for families, young and old alike. According to her, an apple costs more than RM3 now and the expanded SST, once implemented, will further increase the price, making apples unaffordable to most families. 'This is not something positive for the people,' she said. While Malaysians understand that the government needs to generate more revenue to reduce the budget deficit through the expanded SST, she said they hoped their well-being and welfare would be considered. This is especially so when the country's economy this year is projected to be affected by the global economic slowdown, she said. Voon appealed to the federal government to be more sensitive to the people's needs and not burden them with more taxes and further increasing the cost of living. 'Despite the argument that the implementation of expanded SST will not significantly affect the low- and middle-income groups, the reality is that the levying of any form of taxes, even targeted taxes, will affect everyone due to the domino effect in pricing,' she claimed. Set to take effect on July 1, the expanded SST will impose a 5 to 10 per cent sales tax on selected non-essential goods and broaden the service tax to include services such as rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education, and beauty. expanded SST lead Voon Shiak Ni
Borneo Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
PBK chief to accompany bird's nest entrepreneurs to MACC over seized products
Voon (second left) and party members point to a photo on a mobile phone held by Wong (third from right) during the press conference, showing the condition of his premises after a raid by authorities. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (June 4): Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan has announced plans to accompany several bird's nest entrepreneurs to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to seek clarity and possibly lodge a report regarding a case involving the seizure of their products by authorities. According to him, the entrepreneurs claimed they had been wronged by enforcement agencies following raids conducted about two years ago in Sibu and surrounding areas. 'One of the affected entrepreneurs, who wished to be identified only as Wong, is present at the press conference today. 'Wong operated a licensed bird's nest business that included farming and export but suffered losses of approximately RM1 million after his products were seized during the raid,' he said during a press conference held at a local hotel today. Voon claimed the raids, allegedly carried out by officers who identified themselves as Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) personnel, left many entrepreneurs shocked and confused. The police and marine police were also present but were reportedly stationed outside the premises for security purposes, he added. Voon described the authorities' actions as 'high-handed' and alleged an abuse of power. 'The entrepreneurs told us they were not given any explanation as to why the raids were carried out. There was no room for negotiation or proper consultation. They were simply raided, and their properties taken. 'We understand that across the central region, including Sibu, the total estimated value of bird's nest products seized from multiple businesses is around RM4 million,' he said. Voon added that the affected parties had previously raised the issue with elected representatives, including federal and state ministers, but had not received any resolution. He said Wong, like others in the industry, remains in the dark about the case's outcome and the status of the seized goods. 'This is not a small industry. The bird's nest trade is a multi-million-ringgit business in Sarawak and provides livelihoods to many. Based on our estimates, this issue has affected the income of at least 200,000 people in the state.' Voon stressed that his role is solely to accompany the entrepreneurs, who are seeking advice from the MACC on how best to address the matter. 'This matter does not affect just one man, it impacts an entire industry and the people who depend on it,' Voon said. bird's nest entrepreneurs lead MACC Voon Lee Shan
Borneo Post
28-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Social activist calls on S'wak govt to intensify drug awareness, education
Voon Shiak Ni KUCHING (May 28): Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has urged the Sarawak government to take the lead in launching a dedicated annual two month-long drug awareness and education campaign to tackle the root of the growing drug problem in the state. She commended enforcement agencies and the Sarawak police for their firm stance and success in raid operations, citing recent large-scale raids in Miri that uncovered enough illicit substances to supply over 150,000 drug users, or nearly 5.8 per cent of Sarawak's population. However, she said despite high profile seizures and arrests, drug abuse were still rampant, citing a 30 per cent increase in drug addiction cases reported by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) in 2024. 'These numbers are not just statistics — they represent broken families, lost futures and growing despair. As an activist on the ground, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of drug abuse on marriages, children and the fabric of society,' she said in a statement. Voon welcomed the recent passing of the amendments to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 2024, saying it marked an important policy shift from punishment to rehabilitation — a timely reform recognizing addiction as a health issue deserving of support and structured treatment. However, she emphasised policy reform must go beyond legislation. 'Our community and Sarawak must not abdicate their role. If Sarawak truly wants to break the drug cycle, we need to act decisively on the demand side of the equation, as drug dealing — as any other forms of business — thrives on a demand-driven supply chain,' she said. She said the campaign would target school children and youths across Sarawak, and can be implemented in collaboration with schools, the AADK, local councils, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community leaders. 'Education must be continuous, not a one-off event and should focus on real-life risks, the emotional toll on families, and the tactics used by traffickers to lure the young and vulnerable,' she said. Touching on public concerns regarding the amended law, Voon noted that while it allowed for non-custodial rehabilitation arrangements, it should not be seen as a 'free ride' for drug users. 'Compassion must be matched with responsibility. I call on the state government and stakeholders to ensure that rehabilitation is not a free pass, but a structured pathway where drug dependents contribute through community service, skill-building, and counselling. 'Only then can we repair not just individuals, but the families and communities broken by addiction,' she said. She pointed out that drug abuse destroys families, often leading to violence, neglect, divorce, and trauma in children, and also poses a wider threat to public safety. 'Rehabilitation must help individuals heal, but it must also rebuild their sense of accountability to society and to the families they've affected,' she added. She stressed that the amended Act also raised legitimate concerns about whether it could weaken efforts to deter initial drug use. 'Prevention is always better than a cure. I humbly urge the Sarawak government to take the lead to battle against the drugs by taking effective measures to deter and reduce the numbers of drug users to cripple the demand-driven supply chain,' she said. crime drug problems education lead Voon Shiak Ni
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Voon tight-lipped on PBK's election plans, says strategy in place
Voon speaking at the event. – Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (May 25): Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan was coy on the number of seats the party will contest in the coming state election. He was quick to emphasise, however, that the party has strategies in place to contest the election. 'I cannot disclose at this moment how many seats we are going to contest. The committee has not decided (yet). But we have strategies on how to fight this next (state) election. 'Our strategy is very simple. Our strategy is that we are consistent in our struggle for Sarawak independence in a peaceful and legal manner. 'So, in order to achieve this, we must form the government. Only when you are in the government can you bring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to declare it null and void, or to Parliament or whatever legal avenue,' he told reporters. Voon made these remarks when met after the Sarawak People's Justice Dinner organised by PBK at a local restaurant here last night. The event was chaired by the party's youth chief, Moh Hiong King. For the record, in the 2021 Sarawak election, PBK contested 73 out of the 82 seats but failed to win any. Voon also expressed concern over the issue of oil and gas rights, underscoring the limitations posed by the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA74). 'Until and unless the PDA74 is revoked or repealed, oil and gas remain under the control of Petronas. That is the law. And the Constitution is very clear,' he said. Meanwhile, PBK supreme council member Awang Badele urged the state government to provide electricity subsidies to ease the burden of those in the B40 and M40 income groups. He also called for the acceleration of perimeter surveys on Native Customary Rights (NCR) land and proposed an environmental allowance for residents in Bintulu, citing its role as a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) production hub. 'We are giving constructive suggestions to the government so that they can be implemented to benefit the people,' said Awang. Also present at the dinner were PBK deputy president Peli Aron, vice president Dr Richard Ibuh, organising chairman Moh Hiong King, and PBK life president Yu Chin Liik. Parti Bumi Kenyalang state election Voon Lee Shan
Daily Express
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Rare Rh17 blood flown from Sarawak to KL saves woman's life
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. KUCHING: A rare unit of Rh17 blood donated by a Sarawakian man was urgently flown to Kuala Lumpur to save the life of a woman with an ectopic pregnancy, Sarawak Tribune reported. Sarawak General Hospital's Blood Bank confirmed on Facebook recently that donor Vencent Voon Sin Thung came forward after the patient was found to share the extremely rare Rh17 blood type. Advertisement The bank explained that Rh17 is seldom found in Malaysia, except among a small number of the Bidayuh ethnic group in Sarawak. It noted that people with rare blood types can only safely receive transfusions from donors with the same blood group, or risk a dangerous acute transfusion reaction. The blood bank thanked Voon for his lifesaving act and urged prayers for the patient's recovery. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
