ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 7 — Household income in Johor has increased since the current state administration took office in 2022, placing the state among the highest in Malaysia in terms of household income levels.

State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han said data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) showed that Johor’s median household income in 2022 stood at about RM6,879 per month, while average household income was around RM8,517.

Based on the latest 2024/2025 data, the average household income in the state has since risen to about RM9,484 per month, while the median household income increased to around RM7,712 per month.

“This shows that economic growth and investment inflows into Johor are not merely on paper, but are translating into higher incomes for the people,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

Lee (BN-Paloh) was responding to questions from Ee Chin Li (DAP-Tangkak), Nor Rashidah Ramli (BN-Parit Raja), Hahasrin Hashim (BN-Panti), Liew Chin Tong (DAP-Perling) and Liow Cai Tung (DAP-Johor Jaya) on the impact of foreign investments on the rakyat and initiatives to support the capacity development of local companies.

Lee also said DOSM’s Labour Force Survey showed that Johor’s unemployment rate remained stable at 2.5 per cent as of end-2025, compared with the national average of 2.9 per cent.

He said Johor’s economy is not solely dependent on foreign investment. The state recorded RM49.5 billion in domestic direct investment (DDI) and RM60.5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) last year.

“This demonstrates that Johor’s economic growth today is driven jointly by the confidence of both domestic and international investors.

“This is important because a healthy economy requires both to grow in tandem and complement each other,” said Lee. — Bernama

MALAYSIA: Economist Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff suggested limiting the BUDI95 fuel subsidy to Malaysia’s B40 and M40 groups, potentially saving Putrajaya RM1.5 billion monthly. He noted that the T20 consumes over 30% of RON95 subsidies, arguing that restructuring would better target those in need. Fellow economist Afzanizam Abdul Rashid also urged rationalisation, proposing reduced quotas for high‑income users.

In Malaysia, the B40 category refers to households earning below RM3,000 (S$966) monthly. The M40 group includes households earning under RM7,000 (S$2,254). At the top, the T20 represents households with incomes exceeding RM15,000 (S$4,830) per month. These classifications are widely used in policymaking to determine subsidy eligibility, social assistance, and economic planning. 

On social media, users are debating whether Malaysia’s top taxpayers, the T20 group, should continue receiving subsidies. Supporters argue that since the T20 contributes an estimated 86% of the nation’s tax revenue, excluding them from benefits would be unfair. 

Malaysia’s higher taxpayers, particularly the T20 group, according to a netizen, should be entitled to petrol subsidies since they contribute significantly to national revenue. He added that if the government’s priority is to help the poor, reinstating the GST would be a more effective measure.

Some Malaysians argue it is unfair for the country’s highest taxpayers to be excluded from petrol subsidies. An X user noted that while everyone else enjoys equal subsidies, certain individuals contribute at least 25% of their income in taxes. Now, they face being cut off from benefits, raising questions about fairness.

The definition of Malaysia’s upper‑income category remains complex. A commenter said that high taxpayers in single‑income households with children face heavy burdens. After taxes, unsubsidised petrol adds further strain on their household. 

However, some feel that the high taxpayers should not receive the subsidy. One pointed high earners in Malaysia are constantly showing that they’re driving out of state just to have an expensive lunch. He adds that there won’t be a difference in their budget if they were to pay more for petrol. 

Many Malaysians believe petrol subsidies should apply to all citizens, regardless of wealth. They argue the nation’s resources belong collectively to the people, and excluding the T20 group undermines fairness, as they too are Malaysians. 

This article (Removing petrol subsidies for top tax payers in Malaysia unfair says netizens) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

Vietnam and India have issued a Joint Statement on Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries on the occasion of the state visit to India from May 5-7 by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam.

SHAH ALAM, May 7 — The Sultan of Selangor has commanded a “full stop” to further debate about the suitability of pig farming activities in the state, a royal decree issued to preserve public harmony and definitively end public debate on the matter, the Royal Office announced today.

In the statement, Datuk Munir Bani reaffirmed His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj’s position from February 2026, saying the matter must be brought to an end to avoid public unease and preserve the peace and harmony of the people of Selangor.

According to the statement, His Majesty’s firm position is based on several key concerns, primarily the environmental impact of pig farming.

These include the potential for soil and air pollution and the significant risk of contaminating river water sources through the discharge of pig waste and sewage.

“In this regard, the Sultan of Selangor insists that this issue of pig farming be stopped and brought to a complete and final conclusion — full stop — in order to avoid public unease and to ensure that the peace and harmony of the people of Selangor continue to be preserved,” the Sultan’s private secretary said.

As a solution, Munir Bani conveyed the Sultan’s proposal that pork be imported from other states, such as Sarawak, or from abroad to meet the needs of the non-Muslim community.

The statement cited Singapore as an example of a nation that successfully meets its pork demand entirely through imports.

The royal aide then relayed the Sultan’s view that pig farming is unsuitable for Selangor given its limited land resources and high property values, which the state Ruler believes should be utilised for more economically beneficial development that serves the community as a whole.

IPOH, May 7 — Pulau Pangkor Health Clinic has filed a police report after a viral video alleged delays in the ambulance response to a fatal accident involving a dental officer from Jelapang Health Clinic on Jalan Pasir Bogak yesterday.

State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs, and National Integration Committee chairman Datuk A. Sivanesan said claims that an ambulance took up to two hours to reach the scene are “baseless” and contradict the health ministry’s records.

“According to call logs from the Medical Emergency Call Centre (MECC), the centre received the call at 10.57 am, before passing the information to Pulau Pangkor Health Clinic at 11.01 am.

“The ambulance team then set off and reached the scene by 11.12 am, taking just two minutes from the clinic,” he said at a press conference at Perak Darul Ridzuan Building today.

Yesterday, a two-minute video surfaced on social media, showing a man alleging delays in the emergency response at the crash site.

The 30-year-old female victim died yesterday morning, around 10.55 am, when the rented motorcycle she was riding skidded near Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Hua Lia, Pulau Pangkor.

Meanwhile, Sivanesan said Perak’s state health department would continue monitoring developments and issue an official statement if required. — Bernama

Thailand will speed up feasibility studies for the “land bridge” project linking the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman sea through an integrated road, pipeline and rail network to shorten transit times and reduce logistics costs.

A member of the Communist Party of Uruguay (PCU) Central Committee described President Ho Chi Minh as one of the most influential revolutionary figures of the 20th century.

KLANG, May 7 — The family of the Indian national who perished in the 2024 Jalan Masjid India sinkhole tragedy officially received her death certificate yesterday, enabling their legal team to begin the process of claiming compensation from the authorities.

The family’s lawyer, M. Partiben, said the document was handed over by the National Registration Department in Putrajaya to Surya Madhaiha, 28, the daughter of G. Vijaya Lakshmi, 48.

“The focus has now shifted fully to claiming the family’s rights, and we hope the authorities will expedite the compensation process to reduce the family’s expenses while they remain in Malaysia,” he said at a press conference here today.

“The next step is to arrange meetings with the special officer to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh, as well as Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, in the near future to discuss the compensation amount,” he added.

Partiben said the compensation claim covers multiple elements, including damages for bereavement, funeral costs, special damages and exemplary damages following the incident, allegedly due to negligence in maintenance by the local authorities.

He also suggested that the government refer to a Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court decision on March 24, which ordered the Kuala Lumpur Mayor to pay RM824,180 in damages to the family of a victim killed by a falling tree due to maintenance negligence near the Selayang Market on March 22, 2023.

“A comparison should be made because in this sinkhole tragedy, the cause has also been linked to underground utility negligence and geological factors. We hope the ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will make a reasonable assessment,” he said.

Meanwhile, another lawyer, Muhamad Saifullah Muhamad Azmi, said the issuance of the death certificate has brought some relief to the family, who are now facing financial pressure as the deceased was the main breadwinner.

He said the document was urgently needed to settle the deceased’s outstanding debts with Indian banks and prevent any further action against the family.

On August 23, 2024, Vijaya Lakshmi, originally from Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, India, was reported missing after falling into an eight-metre-deep sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India.

Extensive search and rescue operations were conducted for nine days before being called off due to safety concerns for the rescue team. — Bernama