Food

Here’s why feeding a family in Penang or KL can be cheaper than in other states, according to the chief statistician

By Yiswaree Palansamy

Thursday, 14 Nov 2024 3:58 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — Chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin today shed light on why food expenditures tend to be lower in urban areas like Penang and Kuala Lumpur, compared to Terengganu and Melaka.

He explained that several economic factors — particularly supply, demand and population density — play a significant role in driving these differences in spending.

According to Uzir, high population density in larger cities allows businesses to cater to a larger volume of buyers. This enables sellers to keep prices competitive, even when profit margins are low.

“That is influenced by many factors. First is the output cost itself to produce products. Another one, it also depends on the players and volume (of people) in the areas concerned.

“We can see that in some areas, the average prices can be low when sellers are able to cater to a huge volume of buyers. So they get gains not on margin, but based on the volume of quantities. We can prove this,” he stated, emphasising that the economics of scale in densely populated areas work to keep costs down for consumers

In contrast, businesses in rural areas face challenges due to lower customer volume, which in turn, drive up costs. With fewer customers to serve, businesses in these areas cannot rely on volume to offset other expenses.

“For example, some items in the rural areas are expensive because there is a scarcity of supply,” Uzir explained, during a question and answer session at the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s (DOSM) townhall programme today.

This scarcity forces businesses to raise prices to offset the lack of customer volume, he explained, adding that these price hikes can sometimes appear counterintuitive given that operating costs, like rent, are lower in rural regions.

During the session, Uzir was asked to explain the disparity in food prices, which appeared lower in major cities and higher in rural areas.

He explained that this scarcity often mean that items are priced higher to cover operating costs, even if rentals and other fixed costs are lower in rural areas.

Using a barbershop as an example, Uzir illustrated that in high density areas, customer volume helps keep prices competitive as overhead costs are distributed across a large client base. However, in rural areas, lower customer volume often means that prices are higher to maintain viability.

“There is a combination of many factors actually,” he concluded.

He was expounding on DOSM’s Basic Expenditure for Decent Living Indicator (PAKW) unveiled early this month.

The PAKW is a new indicator that calculates the cost of living a decent life and allows the public to measure monthly expenditures for essential goods and services according to geography, household size and age group.

After factoring in all the variables, the calculator shows that feeding a family in Kuala Lumpur is more affordable than in several other states.

In the session today, Uzir was asked to elaborate on this finding.

According to the PAKW, feeding a family in Kuala Lumpur is, on average, cheaper than in several other states. For a household of 3.2 members, the monthly cost to meet the required nutrient intake (RNI) set by the Ministry of Health is around RM1,487, which is significantly cheaper than in states like Melaka (RM1,810), Johor (RM1,751), Sarawak (RM1,795), Sabah (RM1,747), and Pahang (RM1,642).

The state with the lowest food expenditure requirement per household is Perak, at RM1,432.

Perlis had a PKAW average just RM1 cheaper than Kuala Lumpur’s while Negeri Sembilan and Kedah were not far off at RM1,554 and RM1,524 respectively.

Penang, despite being one of the country’s largest cities, also has one of the lowest monthly food expenditure requirements per household at RM1,510.

The state with the highest monthly food expenditure per household is Selangor at RM1,881, while Terengganu came in at a surprising second with RM1,842.

Do note that the average food expenditure also calculates the cost of dining out. - MalayMail. 

Is It?

Lawyer wonders if ex-AG’s tenure is short-lived because he wants to re-charge DPM Zahid Hamidi

THAT 56-year-old former attorney-general (AG) Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh is seen “prematurely removed” before his retirement age of 60 via his appointment as a Federal Court judge must have sent tongues wagging in the legal fraternity.

This comes about as human rights activist and lawyer Charles Hector reminisced of “a previous AG/public prosecutor (PP) (Tan Sri Gani Patail) who was prematurely removed for allegedly going to charge Najib (now incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak) on 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd)-related cases”.

“Was AG/PP Terrirudin removed because he was going to re-charge (Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad) Zahid Hamidi over the 47 charges (levelled against him)?” asked Hector who is also co-founder of NGO Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET) in his latest blog.

“Was he going to charge the PM (Prime Minister) or some ministers? A question which is relevant is that why was he removed so soon?”

Recall that on Sept 4 last year, the prosecution withdrew all 47 charges of criminal breach of trust (CBT), graft and money laundering faced by Zahid who is also the UMNO president in the Yayasan Akalbudi trial after applying to discharge all the charges.

The then Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah (who has since been elevated to be an appellate court judge) upheld the prosecution’s application for a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) for Zahid as opposed to the defence’s request for a full acquittal.

Yesterday (Nov 11), Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to the appointment of the AGC’s trial and appellate division head Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar as Terrirudin’s successor in accordance with Article 145(1) of the Federal Constitution.

“The government expresses its sincere gratitude to Terrirudin for his service to the nation during his tenure as AG” he said in a statement.

In Hector’s contention, Terrirudin who was appointed as the AG on Sept 6 last year to succeed Tan Sri Idrus Harun whose contractual appointment ended a day earlier should not be removed before his retirement age of 60.

“The question is WHY was Terrirudin removed by the PM?” he asserted. “The AG is appointed on the advice of the PM as Article 145(1) states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall on the advice of the PM appoint a person who is qualified to be a judge of the Federal Court to be the AG for the Federation.”

In his earlier blog in July when news first broke out that the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) had recommended Alor Setar-born Terrirudin to be appointed a Federal Court judge, Hector has raised the question if “the PM is ignoring the recommendation of JAC and forwarding his own name to the Conference of Rulers?” – Focus M Nov 12, 2024

E-Hailing

Policeman who assaulted deaf driver escapes jail with RM1,000 fine in long-delayed 'justice'

A 32-year-old police officer has been fined RM1,000 after pleading guilty to assaulting a deaf e-hailing driver, more than five months after the incident that sparked protests and a debate on the rule of law in the country.

Taufik Ismail, who arrived in court in the presence of several police officers who appeared to shield him from the press, pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code.

He was accused of assaulting deaf Grab driver Ong Ing Keong at the lobby of the St Regis Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on May 28, in an incident which was recorded on Ong's dashcam.

The video showed Ong waiting for passengers when a man shouted at him to move his car to make way for an entourage of Johor regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, better known as TMJ.

Ong then rolled down his car window to speak to the man before he suddenly attacked him with a hard punch on the face.

He was later treated at Kuala Lumpur Hospital for a soft tissue injury.

Public outrage increased when it was revealed that a "palace representative" had asked Ong to withdraw his complaint lodged with the Brickfields police station.

Ong rejected a claim by city police chief, Rusdi Mohd Isa, that he had withdrawn his police report as it was a "misunderstanding".

Instead, Ong disclosed that an officer had given him the choice of either accepting a sum of money from the palace representative or having his phone confiscated if the case went to court.

The delay in taking action was also criticized by the government's Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), which questioned Attorney-General Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh over his silence. - MalaysiaNow, 4 Nov 2024

GISB

Wrong to consider GISBH an ‘organised criminal group’ in the likes of triads, crime gangs

THE Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET) has expressed utmost concern of cult-linked Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) being touted as an “organised criminal group” by Malaysia.

To prevent the setting of a precedent, the NGO further contended that “it is best and reasonable” that such term be limited to “triads and criminal gangs that engage in serious crimes of violence, extortion, murder, etc”.

“It’s not right and dangerous to define it broadly as crimes committed by more than one of any Penal Code offences,” opined MADPET co-founder Charles Hector in a media statement.

This came about after GISBH CEO Datuk Nasiruddin Mohd Ali and his wife were among the 13 men and nine women who were charged in the Selayang Sessions Court on Wednesday (Oct 23) under Section 130V (1) of the Penal Code for being members of organised crime group.

If found guilty, offenders can be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than 20 years.

Delving further, Hector who is also a human rights activist and lawyer argued that Section 130U of the Penal Code has defined “organised criminal group” to mean “a group of two or more persons acting in concert with the aim of committing one or more serious offences in order to obtain – directly or indirectly – a material benefit, power or influence”.

“Serious offences were previously defined in that law as ‘…any offence punishable with imprisonment for a term of 10 years or more…’ but that definition was deleted by Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2014, where the amending provision read, ‘The Code is amended in Section 130U by deleting the definition of ‘serious offence’,” explained Hector.

“This means that if anyone commits any crime today, however small, risks being charged as a member of an ‘organised crime gang’ under Section 130V of the Penal Code.

“Moreover, since that Chapter VIB (Organised Crime) in the Penal Code is listed as ‘Security Offence’ in the First Schedule in Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA), then SOSMA applies.”

Following this, MADPET is unhappy with the 2014 re-definition of the term “organised criminal groups” which is just too broad, hence can easily be abused by the government of the day.

“This term should be restricted to triad groups, Mafia-like groups and criminal gangs that commit serious criminal offences involving violence or extortion,” asserted Hector.

“As it is, two or more persons engaging in a consensual act of sodomy, theft, murder, illegal assembly or any crimes whatsoever are at risk of being charged for organised criminal group-type of crimes whereby SOSMA will apply. The other crimes listed under this Chapter VIB include assisting, harbouring and consorting, among others.”

Stating that there is no merit for GISBH to fall under the “organised criminal group” category, MADPET is of the view that such definition “should not be made by the police alone but possibly some independent body that would include parliamentarians”.

“When any group is listed as ‘organised crime gang’, their crimes will not only be SOSMA offences but they also risk becoming victims of the Detention Without Trial laws like Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (POCA),” Hector warned.

He added: “As GISBH is also allegedly a case of Islamic deviants, one wonders whether Muslim police or law enforcement officers are able to act independently when it comes to investigation of the other crimes not religious crimes or it’s better that the investigations are led by non-Muslim officers to ensure a more professional investigation.

“After all, religion and other prejudices are known to impact investigation and prosecution.” – FocusM Oct 25, 2024

IJN

Keep fees reasonable to prevent heart patients from flooding govt hospitals, IJN told

MCA has called for the National Heart Institute (IJN) to keep its proposed hike fee to a maximum of 5% to not to burden patients especially those from B40 households struggling with rising living costs, in particular, private healthcare and insurance premiums.

This is following IJN’s announcement on Oct 11 that it is targeting to raise fees by between 10% and 40% for public patients covered by the government and that the cardiac centre’s charges have been unchanged for more than two decades since 2003.

IJN is owned by the Minister of Finance (MOF) Incorporated (MOF Inc.).

According to party deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, any spike in fees should be capped at a maximum of 5% and must be accompanied by a commitment and exercise to improve medical care and resources for patients and better remuneration for staff.

“Our concern aligns with the Health Ministry’s view that rising fees may cause more heart patients to seek treatment at government hospitals, further straining an already overworked system,” he remarked.

“The current waiting lists as reported on July 17 are alarming: Sultan Idris Shah Serdang Hospital has approximately 1,000 patients waiting for urgent, life-saving heart surgeries, while Penang General Hospital has about 850 patients in the same situation.”

Mah said the situation is exacerbated by the limited number of cardiothoracic surgeons available to serve the public – currently, there are only 14 surgeons across the seven public hospitals performing heart surgeries in Malaysia.

“Notably, three of these hospitals – located in Kota Bharu, Kuantan, and Kota Kinabalu – have only one surgeon each, which significantly limits our capacity to meet the needs of heart patients,” he stated.

“In light of these challenges, we urge IJN to consider the broader impact of its proposed fee increase and prioritise a sustainable solution that supports both patient care and the well-being of our healthcare professionals.” – FocusM Oct 16, 2024

Perak

Police hunt for suspects in molotov cocktail attack in Pantai Remis

PERAK police are actively searching for three suspects involved in a Molotov cocktail attack at a house in Taman Bintang, Pantai Remis, early yesterday morning.

Manjung District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Hasbullah Abd Rahman, said the attack, which occurred at around 3:08 a.m, saw nine Molotov cocktails thrown at the victim’s house.

The attack caused significant fire damage to a Honda HR-V and a Yamaha LC motorcycle parked on the premises.

“Three suspects were seen in a white Toyota Altis wearing face masks during the attack,” he said in a statement today.

He added that the victim’s father noticed the fire and rushed out, shouting at the suspects, who immediately fled the scene. The father managed to extinguish the fire before further damage could occur.

Further investigation revealed five pieces of paper with Chinese writing outside the house, demanding repayment of a debt.

However, the victim denied having any involvement with unlicensed money lending (loan sharks) or holding any grudges.

The case is being investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage.

Hasbullah urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the Investigating Officer, Inspector Amir Hafiz Mohd Rosli, at 011-24057360, or the District Police Operations Room at 05-688 6222 to assist with the investigation. – FocusM Oct 6, 2024

GISB

Tun M questions the government over its actions against GISBH

FORMER premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has voiced concerns over the government’s ‘heavy-handed’ actions against GlSB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH), stating that the treatment appears aimed at eliminating the organisation rather than addressing specific wrongdoings.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Dr Mahathir compared the current situation to his administration’s handling of the Al-Arqam group in 1994.

“We were aware Al-Arqam were deviants. Our actions were to correct their understanding, not to jail them outright. We explained Islam to them, and they accepted our explanations.”

Dr Mahathir suggested that while there may be legitimate issues, such as possible criminal activities, the government should focus on addressing those specific offences.

“Take action against what they do wrong, but do not take action against what they are not doing wrong,” the nonagenarian added.

He noted that GISBH is a successful business operating in 20 countries and warned against punishing those not involved in any crimes.

On the issue of tax arrears, he said, “In the case of income tax arrears, the people are not jailed, but an investigation is launched, and then a decision is made.” – FocusM Oct 5, 2024