Laman Utama

Retiree threatens legal action over ‘excessive’ insurance premium hikes

Details: Category: Polisi Awam; Hits: 11

KUALA LUMPUR: A retiree has warned that he will take legal action against an insurance company and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) if they fail to respond to his demands over what he claims are excessive medical insurance premium hikes.

Lawyer Ng Kian Nam said his client, Wong Kee Chong, is demanding that the insurer stop imposing premium hikes beyond the ranges stated in the policy illustration; that BNM issue a permanent circular to enforce this; and that both parties explain why insured patients are charged more than cash-paying patients.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/04/02/retiree-threatens-legal-action-over-excessive-insurance-premium-hikes

Temporary Adjustment Of Fuel Subsidiy Balances People's Welfare And National Fiscal Discipline - Analysts

Details: Category: Alam Sekitar - Tenaga; Hits: 4

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- The government's strategic move to temporarily adjust the fuel subsidy mechanism is seen as an effort to find a balance between the welfare of the people and the country's fiscal discipline in facing the impacts of geopolitical uncertainty in West Asia.

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies senior lecturer Mujibu Abd Muis said that the temporary adjustment of the Budi MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) programme, effective April 1, is considered an important step towards targeted subsidies to prevent leakage and ensure optimal use of fiscal resources.

https://bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2538343

Maintaining 800-Litre BUDI95 Limit For e-Hailing Helps Stabilise Costs - GEM

Details: Category: Alam Sekitar - Tenaga; Hits: 5

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- The government’s decision to maintain the monthly ceiling of up to 800 litres under the Budi MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) programme for e-hailing drivers and gig workers is seen as a timely measure to help stabilise operating costs amid adjustments to the subsidy scheme.

Malaysian E-hailing Coalition (GEM) chief activist Masrizal Mahidin said the move could also stimulate demand for e-hailing services following the temporary adjustment to the BUDI95 quota eligibility beginning next month.

https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php/?id=2538016

Call for crackdown on fuel subsidy abuse by foreigners

Details: Category: Alam Sekitar - Tenaga; Hits: 5

PETALING JAYA: As fuel subsidy abuse continues to spark public outrage, holding foreign vehicle owners accountable for purchasing subsidised Budi95 petrol is a crucial step towards fairer enforcement, say consumer groups.

Previously, responsibility rested entirely on petrol station operators, who often struggled to prevent abuse.

Pertubuhan Mesra Pengguna Malaysia deputy president Azlin Othman said petrol station operators often faced constraints in controlling the actions of those taking advantage of the system.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/03/28/call-for-crackdown-on-fuel-subsidy-abuse-by-foreigners

BNM should mandate a living wage for all banks, says ex-MP

Details: Category: Isu Kewangan; Hits: 7

PETALING JAYA: Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has called on Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to mandate a living wage across the banking sector, saying that a minimum wage policy alone is insufficient to drive meaningful income growth.

Santiago referred to a report in which the central bank said the minimum wage, introduced in 2013, has not proportionally raised wages for middle-income workers.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/04/01/bnm-should-mandate-a-living-wage-for-all-banks-says-ex-mp

Bank Rakyat fined RM1mil over cybersecurity, customer data protection breaches

Details: Category: Isu Kewangan; Hits: 8

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia imposed an administrative monetary penalty of RM1 million on Bank Rakyat for cybersecurity and customer information protection breaches on Jan 20.

BNM said Bank Rakyat was found to have breached several requirements following a cybersecurity incident in which an external threat actor gained unauthorised access to its information technology infrastructure.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/04/01/bank-rakyat-fined-rm1mil-over-cybersecurity-customer-data-protection-breaches

Borrowers deciding the best deals before purchase

Details: Category: Isu Kewangan; Hits: 4

PETALING JAYA: The Hire Purchase (Amendment) Act 2026 could have been helpful if it applies to existing borrowers, especially with the rising cost of living.

For creative writer Nuratikah Muhammad, she said her loan will not be covered under the new guidelines since it was taken a few years ago.

“It would have been great if we were covered as well.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/03/28/existing-borrowers-left-out

Hidden charges, confusion among top BNPL complaints, says consumer group

Details: Category: Aduan Pengguna; Hits: 6

PETALING JAYA: Hidden charges, unclear terms and conditions, and difficulties resolving disputes with service providers are among the main complaints received by the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) involving 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) services.

BNPL is often promoted as interest- and hassle-free when payments are made the following month, creating the perception that it is not a form of debt.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/03/1405058/hidden-charges-confusion-among-top-bnpl-complaints-says-consumer-group

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