Selasa, 21 Mei 2024

Malaysia to cut diesel subsidies, targets $852 million in annual savings, PM says - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR :Malaysia will begin cutting fuel subsidies to bolster its fiscal position starting with diesel, a move that will save about 4 billion ringgit ($852 million) annually, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday.

Anwar has repeatedly vowed to shift away from blanket subsidies to a targeted system that mainly aids low-income groups.

Malaysia subsidises fuel, cooking oil, and rice, among other items, but rising commodity prices have seen that expense climb in recent years, straining the government's coffers.

Anwar said savings from subsidy cuts could be re-directed to the needy, including cash assistance to eligible owners of diesel vehicles such as paddy farmers and small traders.

"I caution that any targeted subsidy should not burden the majority of the people," Anwar said in a televised address.

The diesel subsidy reform will only involve consumers in peninsular Malaysia, he said.

He did not give a date when the subsidy cuts would take effect, saying further details will be announced later.

Malaysia is projected to spend 52.8 billion ringgit on subsidies and social assistance this year, down from an estimated 64.2 billion ringgit in 2023, according to its budget for 2024.

The move to targeted subsidies comes as Malaysia looks to implement labour reforms and tackle stagnant wages amid rising prices.

Anwar this month announced a 13 per cent hike in salary for civil servants from December, and on Tuesday vowed to pursue a proposed progressive wage policy and other measures to raise incomes.

Anwar said a capital gains tax on the disposal of unlisted shares and other new levies introduced this year will see an estimated 4.5 billion ringgit increase in tax revenue, while electricity subsidy reforms are expected to generate about 4 billion ringgit in savings.

Inflation is expected to tick up following the removal of blanket subsidies.

Malaysia's central bank projects headline inflation to range between 2 per cent and 3.5 per cent this year, compared to 2.5 per cent in 2023, after taking into account the planned subsidy and price control adjustments.

Malaysia recorded growth of 3.7 per cent in 2023, a sharp drop from a 22-year high of 8.7 per cent in 2022. In the first quarter, the economy grew 4.2 per cent, beating analysts' estimates on the back of higher household spending and a recovery in exports.

($1 = 4.6900 ringgit)

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2024-05-21 13:58:40Z
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Sick of tourists, Japan town blocks view of Mount Fuji at popular spot - The Straits Times

Workers installing a barrier on May 21 to block the sight of Japan's Mount Fuji emerging from behind a convenience store in the town of Fujikawaguchiko. PHOTO: AFP

FUJIKAWAGUCHIKO - A Japanese town mounted a large mesh barrier at a popular viewing spot for Mount Fuji on May 21, in an attempt to deter photo-taking by an ever-growing number of tourists.

Japan’s most famous sight can be seen for miles around, but Fujikawaguchiko locals are fed up with streams of mostly foreign visitors littering, trespassing and breaking traffic rules in their hunt for a photo to share on social media.

Parking illegally and ignoring a smoking ban, they would cram a pavement to shoot the snow-capped mountain, which soars photogenically into the sky from behind a convenience store, residents said.

Workers began putting the black netting measuring 2.5m by 20m in place on May 21, and by late morning they were already done, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

“I hope that the net will prevent dangerous activities,” resident Michie Motomochi, 41, who runs a traditional Japanese sweet shop, told AFP.

“I think it’s disappointing that they are putting it up. It’s obviously an iconic shot,” said Ms Christina Roys, 36, a tourist from New Zealand. “But it’s completely understandable. We were here last night, managing to get the last shot before they were putting up the wall, and there were so many people.

“It’s quite dangerous because of the traffic coming through. There are other spots where you can get the shot of the mountain.”

Workers installing a sign warning pedestrians against running out on the road by the entrance of a convenience store carpark in the town of Fujikawaguchiko in May 21. PHOTO: AFP

Online bookings

Record numbers of overseas tourists are coming to Japan, where monthly visitors exceeded three million for the first time in March and then again in April.

But as in other tourist hot spots, such as Venice – which recently launched a trial of entry fees for day visitors – the influx has not been universally welcomed.

In Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto, locals have complained of tourists harassing the city’s famed geisha.

And hikers using the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji this summer will be charged 2,000 yen (S$17) each, with entries capped at 4,000 to ease congestion.

A new online booking system for the mountain’s Yoshida trail opened on Monday to guarantee hikers entry through a new gate, although 1,000 places a day will be kept for day-of entries.

Mount Fuji is covered in snow most of the year, but during the July-September hiking season, more than 220,000 visitors trudge up its steep, rocky slopes. Many climb through the night to see the sunrise, and some try to reach the 3,776m summit without breaks, becoming sick or injured as a result.

Regional officials have raised safety and environmental concerns linked to overcrowding on the active volcano, a symbol of Japan and a once-peaceful pilgrimage site.

Residents near other popular photo spots in the region, including the so-called Fuji Dream Bridge, have also reportedly complained about overtourism in recent weeks.

One tour operator that offers day trips from Tokyo to the Mount Fuji area told AFP it is taking visitors to another Lawson store nearby where a similar view can be seen, but there are fewer nearby residents. AFP

More On This Topic
Japan deploys drones to deter visitors from littering at scenic riverside
Mount Fuji hikers face $18 toll to scale mountain from July

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2024-05-21 06:35:00Z
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Senin, 20 Mei 2024

Jakarta aims to improve flow of Ciliwung river as part of flood mitigation efforts - CNA

The Jatigede hydropower plant, located in Sumedang in West Java province, has a capacity of 110 megawatts (MW).
 
The plant uses water from the Jatigede dam, the second biggest in Indonesia, and will support the electricity grid between Java and Bali.
 
“This hydroelectric power plant is only functional during peak hours from 5pm to 10pm, because we use water from the Jatigede dam,” said Jatigede Hydroelectric Power Plant assistant project manager Dinar Pradipto.
 
“We match the time when water is released for irrigation needs downstream, and we use it at the same time to drive the turbine and generator.”
 
The Jatigede dam has a water surface area of more than 4,100ha, which makes it suitable to be used to capture solar energy.
 
There are plans to install floating solar power panels to complement the hydroelectric power already generated by the dam.
 
“The plan for a solar power plant has also been carried out by PLN (State Electricity Company) and it is targeted that by 2024, a solar power plant with a capacity of 100MW will be operational,” said Jatigede Dam Management Unit head Yuyu Wahyudin.
 
“This means that approximately under 10 per cent of the inundation area will be used for the floating solar power panels.”

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2024-05-21 02:30:57Z
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World leaders send condolences over Iran President Raisi's death - The Straits Times

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow”. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

NEW DELHI - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on May 20 that he was “deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise” of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

“My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran,” Mr Modi said on social media platform X. “India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow.”

His Pakistani counterpart, Mr Shehbaz Sharif, also sent his condolences to Iran “on this terrible loss” and said: “The great Iranian nation will overcome this tragedy with customary courage.”

India and Iran have had historically close relations, with the Islamic republic for many years a key oil supplier to the South Asian giant – which is now the world’s fifth-biggest economy – until US sanctions curtailed the trade.

New Delhi has had to balance its ties with Tehran with its links to Washington – the United States and India are both members of the Quad security grouping – and its warming relationship with Israel.

China’s President Xi Jinping said the “tragic death” of Mr Raisi was “a great loss to the Iranian people”, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“The Chinese people have lost a good friend,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Mr Raisi as an “outstanding politician” and said his death was an “irreplaceable loss”.

Iran has become one of Russia’s key political allies since Moscow launched its Ukraine offensive in 2022, with Tehran supplying crucial drone technology.

“Raisi was an outstanding politician whose entire life was dedicated to serving his homeland,” Mr Putin said in a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, published on the Kremlin’s website.

“As a true friend of Russia, he made an invaluable personal contribution to the development of good neighbourly relations between our countries, and made great efforts to take them to the level of a strategic partnership.”

Iran’s allies and proxies also issued condolences.

Hamas, which is locked in a war in Gaza with Israel, conveyed the Palestinian militant group’s “deepest condolences and solidarity” to Iran’s Supreme Leader, government and people for “this immense loss”.

It praised the Iranian leaders who died in support of the Palestinian cause and in resistance against Israel, expressing confidence that Iran’s “deep-rooted institutions” will enable it to overcome “the repercussions of this great loss”.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on May 20 that he was “deeply saddened” by the deaths of Mr Raisi and other officials in the helicopter crash, noting their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

“We committed ourselves to bolstering Malaysia-Iran relations, working together for the betterment of our peoples and the Muslim world. Our pledge will be fulfilled,” he said on social media.

Mr Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, head of Yemen’s Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee, which is backed by Tehran, said on X: “Our deepest condolences to the Iranian people, the Iranian leadership, and the families of President Raisi and the accompanying delegation on their reported martyrdom.”

Lebanon’s Tehran-backed Hezbollah mourned the death of the Iranian President and other officials, praising Mr Raisi as a “protector” of anti-Israel groups in the region.

“Hezbollah in Lebanon extends its deepest condolences,” the group said in a statement, adding that it knew Mr Raisi “closely for a long time” and that he was “a strong supporter, and a staunch defender of our causes... and a protector of the resistance movements”.

Iraq, which fought Iran from 1980 to 1988, called the deaths of Mr Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian “tragic”, and the helicopter crash “unfortunate”.

Its Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said in a statement: “We extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, and to the nation of Iran, its government and people. We express our solidarity with the brotherly Iranian people and the officials of the Islamic Republic during this painful tragedy.”

Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, also sent his “sincere condolences”.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government expressed regret over the deaths of the Iranian President and Foreign Minister.

“The Islamic emirate of Afghanistan and all Afghans are deeply saddened and affected by this tragic event,” said Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund.

The Nato military alliance and European Union expressed “condolences” to Iran over the death of Mr Raisi.

“Our condolences to the people of Iran for the death of President Raisi... and others who perished,” said Nato spokeswoman Farah Dakhlallah on X.

European Council president Charles Michel said: “Our thoughts go to the families.” AFP, REUTERS

More On This Topic
What we know about the crashed helicopter carrying Iran’s President
Who will be Iran’s next president following President Raisi’s death?

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2024-05-20 16:32:45Z
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Water pollution in Jakarta: Some residents resort to buying clean water from neighbours - CNA

BUILDING CLEAN WATER PIPELINES

The capital city currently has about 65 per cent accessibility to clean water, and authorities have set an ambitious target of 100 per cent by 2030. 

The government is also speeding up clean water pipeline construction. 

Jakarta Water Resources Department acting secretary Hendri said: “Work is underway to build pipes in (the Special Region of Jakarta) so that later, all areas that have not been served by piped water will be served, so that people can get clean water through those pipes.”

The aim is for the pipeline system to deter people from pumping well water, which increases the risk of land subsidence, especially in certain areas like North Jakarta.

For Cilincing resident Yulia Mayau, who buys her clean water supply from neighbours, filling one hour’s worth of water costs her about US$1.85 and lasts her only three days. 

After that, she has to wait for her turn to fill up her supply once again.

“It is expensive. It is a huge expense,” she said. 

“If you want to install a pump, if you want to install a network, the water service provider says they need at least 10 houses that want to install it. In the area towards the sea, there are often jams and pump failures.”

Local residents selling their water told CNA that they are not legally allowed to do it, and that the pumps in their homes are only for private consumption.

One resident who was caught selling water after a spot check by authorities said she was fined US$300.

Those living within 80m of the sea can access a 2,000L water storage tank in its vicinity, but leaks in the tank means water runs out faster than expected.

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Taiwan's new president calls on China to end threats and intimidation - Financial Times

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2024-05-20 08:51:05Z
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Why fewer people want to learn Mandarin in New Zealand - CNA

SOME CONTINUE TO BE INTERESTED

Despite the waning interest in the language, there are New Zealanders who are still learning it.

“There’re a lot of Chinese people around me, and Chinese culture in Auckland and near where I live, (it's) something I see so it makes me more curious,” said third-year engineering student Rebecca Fitzpatrick, who took a summer class this year at the University of Auckland.

For others, the reasons are more pragmatic.

“I went on a school trip to China because I’m a business student and we learned about the strong connections between New Zealand and China," said final-year engineering and commerce student Matthew Edwards, who was also inspired by his Mandarin-speaking sister.

"I think it’s an increasingly important language especially if you’re living in the Pacific,” he said.

While Mandarin learning may be decreasing in the West, reports suggest the language is going strong in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia made Mandarin learning compulsory in secondary schools last year, joining the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Iran, which have added the language to the national curriculums. In Southeast Asia, Mandarin is taught in all Singapore schools, remains robust in Malaysia, and also shows signs of gaining popularity in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Head of Mandarin Language and Chinese Culture at University of Al Azhar Indonesia Feri Ansori told CNA’s East Asia Tonight that many Indonesian students are willing to learn the language because they believe it can benefit their businesses in future.

“China has been Indonesia’s top trading partner and a major source of investment. So, it is a very good opportunity for the Indonesian students to learn Chinese,” he said.

He added that while technology has been developing, it may not be able to translate Mandarin accurately. This is given that Mandarin is a language where the same word could have different meanings based on tone, he said.

“Learning Mandarin will be immensely helpful for anyone who wants to get ahead in their business ventures,” he said.

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2024-05-20 07:32:11Z
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