Budget 2025: Wage hike and EPF a burden, say manufacturers

PETALING JAYA: The recent minimum wage increase, combined with the planned implementation of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributions for foreign workers, poses a significant financial burden for businesses, says the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai expressed concerns that these measures could severely affect operating costs, particularly for companies heavily reliant...

ICPT surcharge reduction ‘minimal’, ‘disappointing’, says FMM

PETALING JAYA: The reduction of 1 sen/kWh from July to December 2024 in ICPT (imbalance cost pass-through) surcharge has been called "minimal" and "disappointing" by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM). FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said that despite a decline in coal prices over the past year, the surcharge for commercial and industrial...

Penang water cut: Factories staring at billions in losses

GEORGE TOWN: The manufacturing sector is staring at losses that could run into billions of ringgit due to the impending 96-hour water supply cut next month, while small businesses are worried about having to close shop. They are appealing to the state government to find ways to shorten the disruption period to lessen the impact on...