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<h2>The government is set to launch Malaysia MADANI white rice, which is expected to be available in the market starting from 1 March</h2>
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<p>Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, the chairman of the task force (food cluster) under the  National Action Council for Cost of Living, announced that the Malaysia MADANI white rice will be the only category of white rice available in Malaysia, reported<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2270319#:~:text=PUCHONG%2C%20Feb%2014%20(Bernama),market%20starting%20from%20March%201." title="Link: https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2270319#:~:text=PUCHONG%2C%20Feb%2014%20(Bernama),market%20starting%20from%20March%201."> BERNAMA.</a></p>
<p>Consequently, it is claimed that the previous categories of local white rice (SST) and imported white rice (SSI) will no longer exist in the country.</p>
<p>This means that local white rice and imported white rice will still be sold, but not as separate categories.</p>
<p>Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz also mentioned that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has approved the introduction of the Malaysia MADANI white rice.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/688150" rel="noopener">Parlimen Malaysia/Malaysiakini</a></small>
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<h2>He said industry players must update the labelling and packaging of rice sacks to comply with the new regulations by 1 March</h2>
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<p>He said stakeholders can continue to sell white rice in the previous packaging until their existing stocks are all sold out. However, he emphasised that the packages must be affixed with the Malaysia MADANI white rice price sticker.</p>
<p>&#8220;What we are doing here is to offer a more comfortable price for the people. This adjustment is made by the industry to provide appropriate pricing and availability in the market for all,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>Following that, Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz also mentioned that the retail price for local white rice is RM2.60 per kg as stipulated under the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522).</p>
<p>However, the price for a 1kg sack of Malaysia MADANI white rice is set at RM3.50, which represents an increase of 90 sen from the price stipulated under the act. </p>
<p>He pointed out that rice prices have remained unchanged for 18 years, and that farmers would find the new ceiling price more favourable.</p>
<p>He also stated that the MADANI rice is set at RM15.50 for a 5kg sack and expressed hope that the industry will maintain the RM30 price for a 10kg sack.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/sack-rice-with-rice-wooden-spoon-rice-plant_11406579.htm#query=rice&#038;position=18&#038;from_view=keyword&#038;track=sph&#038;uuid=b79a8a10-89f9-4938-abc3-6ad01a85d27d" rel="noopener">Jcomp/Freepik</a></small>
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<h2>He further mentioned that setting the ceiling price for the Malaysia MADANI white rice aims to deter manufacturers from mixing local and imported white rice to sell them as expensive brands</h2>
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<p><p>&#8220;It stems from the absence of price controls for imported white rice supplies, causing the prices to remain high, coupled with the rise in the global rice prices,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>&#8220;This has resulted in local white rice labels being changed to imported white rice, making it difficult to find in the market,&#8221; he added.﻿</p>
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<h2>Following the announcement, Mydin hypermarket managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin has urged the government to explain the decision to abolish the SST and SSI categories</h2>
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<p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s impossible for the government to eliminate SSI because it&#8217;s imported rice. What will happen to SSI?&#8221; <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/02/15/new-malaysia-madani-white-rice-raises-questions-says-mydin-boss/">FMT </a>quoted him as saying. </p>
<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s impossible to lower the price of SSI from RM40 per 10kg to RM30. This will lead to a shortage in the market. The industry needs an explanation,&#8221; he added.</p>
<p>Ameer also inquired whether the sale of SST and SSI categories would be entirely discontinued. Nonetheless, he expressed gratitude to the government for announcing the competitive price of RM30 per 10kg for Malaysia MADANI white rice.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa) president Jacob George questioned whether stakeholders were consulted before the government decided to abolish the SST and SSI categories. </p>
<p>He also hoped to hear from the government before drawing any conclusions and urged for clarity on whether the announcement was made solely in Syed Hussin&#8217;s interests or as a response to address the issue at its root.</p>
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<p class="img-caption">Ameer Ali Mydin (left) and Jacob George (right).</p>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="null" rel="noopener">Malaysiakini &#038; Berita Harian</a></small>
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Government To Introduce Malaysia MADANI Rice Starting 1 March

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<h2>Malaysians and tourists can expect to pay more for hotel stays once the new Sales and Service Tax (SST) rate comes into effect in March</h2>
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<p class="img-caption">Malaysian Association of Hotels president Datin Christina Toh.</p>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://hotels.org.my/article/39096-motacs-workshop-on-hotel-apartments-criterion" rel="noopener">Malaysian Association of Hotels</a></small>
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<p><p>According to <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/02/13/hotels-say-prices-expected-to-increase-by-up-to-30pc-following-sst-hike-to-8pc-this-year/117740">Malay Mail</a>, Malaysian Association of Hotels president Datin Christina Toh said <b>hotel prices are expected to increase by 10% to 30%, following the SST rate rise <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/news/anwar-govt-to-increase-service-tax-from-6-to-8">from 6% to 8%</a> on 1 March.</b></p>
<p>Nevertheless, Toh remains optimistic about tourism, citing ongoing promotions and government support, such as visa exemptions for tourists from specific countries.</p>
<p>She added that, despite the price hike, Malaysia still has one of the lowest hotel room rates among the ASEAN countries.</p>
<p>&#8220;The increase has no effect. That is one of the reasons why we want to attract more foreign tourists to our country because our prices are still reasonable,&#8221; she said.</p>
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<h2>Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel expects hotel prices to soar up to 50%</h2>
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<p><p>He stressed <b>the domino effect of the new SST rate on the entire hotel supply chain</b>, impacting costs of cleaning services, utilities, and transportation.</p>
<p>To ensure business sustainability, hotel owners may be forced to raise prices, he said.</p>
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<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/modern-studio-apartment-design-with-bedroom-living-space_2448708.htm" rel="noopener">katemangostar/Freepik</a></small>
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<h2>Meanwhile, a local hotel owner said they definitely plan to raise room prices due to increased charges imposed by suppliers</h2>
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<p><p>Ridel Boutique Hotel owner Aiman Wasa told <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.sinardaily.my/article/215475/hotel-prices-to-increase-following-sales-tax-hike-industry-reactions-differ" title="Link: https://www.sinardaily.my/article/215475/hotel-prices-to-increase-following-sales-tax-hike-industry-reactions-differ">Sinar Daily</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<b>suppliers have started to send notices of raised prices by up to 20% starting 1 March.</b></p>
<p>&#8220;Room prices must go up. If suppliers raise prices, we also must do the same; this does not include an increase in water tariff rates.</p>
<p>&#8220;Competition in this business is very high, but we cannot raise prices too high.</p>
<p>&#8220;That is one of the reasons why many hotel businesses are closed.</p>
<p>&#8220;When prices go up, there are no customers, and when prices are not raised, costs go up,&#8221; he said.</p>
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<h2>Malaysians can also expect to pay more for online services starting March:</h2>
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<p>The tax rate on digital services will be raised from 6% to 8% on 1 March.</p>
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<h2>Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the SST increase during the tabling of Budget 2024 last year:</h2>
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Hotel Prices Expected To Increase Up To 30% Due To SST Hike This Year

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<h2>Malaysians can expect to pay more for Google Workspace once the new consumption tax rate comes into effect in March</h2>
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<p>According to <a href="https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/02/05/malaysian-internet-users-to-pay-more-as-google-raises-sst-rate-to-8pc-from-march-streaming-services-next/116456#:~:text=KUALA%20LUMPUR%2C%20Feb%204%20%E2%80%94%20Google,consumption%20tax%20rate%20moving%20forward.">Malay Mail</a>, Google Workspace users have received an email notification stating that fees will include an 8% SST charge, instead of 6%, starting from March 2024.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The price hike reflects the change in SST rates. Billing will be automatic and customers will not have to perform additional actions.</p>
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<h2>Other online services are expected to announce price hikes soon</h2>
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<p><b>This includes:</b><br />&#8211; Netflix<br />&#8211; Disney+ Hotstar<br />&#8211; Viu<br />&#8211; Steam<br />&#8211; Playstation Network<br />&#8211; PC Game Pass</p>
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<h2>The customs department previously announced the tax rate on digital services will be raised from 6% to 8% on 1 March</h2>
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<p><p>The 2% SST increase was first announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of the national budget in October last year.</p>
<p>The digital tax affects imported online services, such as software, music, video, and digital advertising, as reported by <a href="https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/01/18/streaming-services-digital-ads-likely-to-cost-more-from-march/" title="Link: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/01/18/streaming-services-digital-ads-likely-to-cost-more-from-march/">FMT</a>.</p>
<p>In the same report, it was revealed that 126 foreign digital services had registered with the customs department to collect and remit the tax. These include Spotify and AirBnb, as well as the aforementioned Google and Netflix.</p>
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<h2>Follow SAYS Tech on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/saystech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/says.tech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, &#038; <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saystech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> for the latest in tech in Malaysia and the world!</h2>
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<h2>Here&#8217;s what else will see a price hike:</h2>
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Netflix, Steam, And 5 Other Digital Services You Use May Soon See An SST Price Hike