Senior citizens severely hit by increase in insurance premiums, says Fomca
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June 6, 2021 1:54 PM
PETALING JAYA: A consumer group said senior citizens have been severely affected by the sharp increase in their medical premiums, based on a recent survey it carried out.
And now the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) wants Bank Negara Malaysia to step in to protect the community.
Its secretary-general, Paul Selvaraj, said senior citizens relied on their savings to meet their daily expenses.
And very often, he said, their primary savings are from their Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
Yet, data shows that over 50% of EPF contributors aged above 54 have savings of below RM50,000, while 67% of contributors do not have a minimum of RM240,000.
To compound matters, Selvaraj said the cost of living, especially the cost of food and other essential items, had been increasing substantially.
“The sharp and unjustified increases by the insurance companies put pressure on senior citizens to lapse in paying their premiums and thus they lose their coverage,” he said in a statement.
According to the survey, 42% of the respondents saw a 20% to 230% increase on the premiums they had been paying.
And with no regulator to protect the consumers’ well-being, Selvaraj claimed that these insurance companies were free to “increase their premiums whenever they liked and by how much they liked”.
These could inveitably lead the elderly to forgo their coverage, he added.
“This is a cruel approach towards senior citizens. But without protection by the regulators, it appears that consumers, especially the senior citizens, are at the mercy of the insurance companies if they want to maintain their coverage.”
Selveraj requested that the central bank regulate the industry to ensure greater justice and fairness for the people, especially the vulnerable groups.
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Lack of enforcement causing more environmental damage, says group
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June 5, 2021 10:00 AM
PETALING JAYA: A green group says there has been an increase in land degradation, land grab and illegal logging and mining during the movement control order (MCO) period.
Speaking to FMT in conjunction with World Environment Day today, the Global Environment Centre (GEC) noted that state revenue had taken a hit from economic restrictions, with their budgets also dented due to stimulus packages, increased health expenditure and other measures to battle the pandemic.
“Where can they find additional money and fill their budget deficits? From leasing land,” said GEC director Faizal Parish.
“We understand their budgets are currently focused on health and economic stimulus measures, but some agencies have seen their allocations cut by 50% or 60%, and some don’t have the budget to carry out enforcement.
“Certainly, the MCO limited essential services, and the environment department and local councils were not out there doing their usual checks.
“We started the year with a bit of optimism, but the reality is that more bad things have been happening due to a lack of patrolling.”
Faizal said that since logging and plantations were labelled as essential industries, companies in those sectors “went at it” without supervision.
“Everyone is using the cover of Covid-19 lockdowns to destroy the environment,” he said.
However, a spokesman for the forestry department said that while budgets may have had to be trimmed due to the pandemic, enforcement activities had been going on as usual since the start of the first MCO in March 2020.
“They haven’t stopped,” the spokesman added.
“They are still out there checking on illegal logging, patrolling forests and making sure factories in the timber industry don’t take advantage of any situations that may have arisen due to the pandemic.”
Read more: Lack of enforcement causing more environmental damage, says group
Kerani, guru rugi lebih RM22,000 ditipu Macau Scam
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Jun 2, 2021 @ 2:02pm
Kepala Batas: Kerani dan guru menjadi mangsa terbaharu penipuan licik sindiket Macau Scam yang menyamar sebagai kakitangan sebuah syarikat telekomunikasi serta polis.
Ketua Polis Daerah Seberang Perai Utara, Asisten Komisioner Noorzainy Mohd Noor berkata, mangsa berusia 50 dan 55 tahun tampil membuat laporan polis, semalam berhubung kejadian.
Menurutnya, kerani wanita berusia 55 tahun itu memaklumkan dia dihubungi seorang individu kononnya dari syarikat telekomunasi, baru-baru ini.
"Individu itu mendakwa nama mangsa digunakan untuk pendaftaran internet secara tidak sah, tetapi mangsa menafikannya sebelum panggilan didakwa disambungkan ke Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen (IPK) Seremban untuk membuat aduan dan semakan.
"Sindiket mendakwa mangsa terbabit dalam kes pengubahan wang haram dan akaun mangsa digunakan sebagai menyimpan wang haram terbabit.
"Mangsa yang panik hanya menuruti segala arahan dengan memindahkan wang simpanan berjumlah RM17,800," katanya dalam kenyataan, di sini, hari ini.
Menurutnya, suspek memaklumkan wang itu akan dikembalikan selepas siasatan selesai, namun mangsa diminta membuat bayaran tambahan.
Katanya, mangsa kemudian menceritakan kejadian kepada ahli keluarganya dan menyedari dia diperdaya dengan sindiket penipuan.
Sementara itu, Noorzainy berkata, dalam kes kedua, guru wanita kerugian RM5,000 dipercayai ditipu sindiket sama.
Read more: Kerani, guru rugi lebih RM22,000 ditipu Macau Scam
Bank Negara: Loan borrowers who’ve seen income drop eligible for lower monthly installments
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Wednesday, 02 Jun 2021 12:53 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) today reiterated that all loan borrowers who have suffered a drop in income, including salary, allowances, commissions and household incomes, are eligible for a reduction of monthly installments according to the reduced income.
In a series of tweets detailing the eligibility for reduction of monthly installments, the central bank clarified that under the latest loan repayment assistance, the B40 recipients of Bantuan Sara Hidup/Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat can choose either a three-month moratorium or reduction of monthly installments by 50 per cent for six months.
“Individual borrowers who have lost their jobs can also choose either a three-month moratorium or reduction of monthly installments by 50 per cent for six months,” added BNM.
The central bank also pointed out that for facilities with approved amounts up to RM150,000, microenterprises as well as small and medium enterprises which were not allowed to operate during the lockdown can also choose either a three-month moratorium or reduction of monthly installments by 50 per cent for six months.
For further information on the loan repayment assistance, visit: — Bernama
Source:
Moratorium 3 bulan untuk B40, rakyat hilang pekerjaan
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31 May 2021, 9:23 pm
Perdana Menteri, Muhyiddin Yassin hari ini mengumumkan pemberian moratorium automatik selama tiga bulan kepada golongan berpendapatan rendah (B40) dan mereka yang kehilangan pekerjaan susulan pelaksanaan perintah kawalan pergerakan (PKP).
Katanya, inisiatif itu juga ditawarkan kepada perusahaan mikro dan Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhanan (PKS) yang tidak dibenarkan beroperasi sepanjang tempoh PKP.
"Saya juga mendengar permintaan rakyat supaya kerajaan menimbang semula pemberian moratorium.
"Sehubungan itu, hasil perbincangan bersama Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), industri perbankan memberi jaminan dan komitmen penuh untuk terus memberikan bantuan pembayaran balik pinjaman dan moratorium.
"Oleh itu, bagi semua golongan B40 dan rakyat yang terjejas ekoran kehilangan pekerjaan serta perusahaan mikro dan PKS yang tidak dibenarkan beroperasi dalam tempoh PKP, anda diberi pilihan untuk mendapatkan kelulusan moratorium secara automatik selama 3 bulan atau boleh memilih untuk mendapatkan pengurangan bayaran balik secara ansuran sebanyak 50 peratus selama tempoh 6 bulan," katanya dalam perutusan khas malam ini.
Muhyiddin berkata, inisiatif ini akan dilaksanakan segera pada Jun yang dijangka memanfaatkan lebih lima juta peminjam dengan nilai sehingga RM30 bilion.
"Insha-Allah, industri perbankan akan memberikan maklumat lebih terperinci berhubung perkara ini mulai esok. Saya berharap, pengumuman moratorium automatik ini dapat memberi sedikit kelegaan kepada peminjam institusi perbankan.
"Para peminjam hanya perlu menghubungi bank masing-masing untuk mendapat manfaat bantuan ini," katanya.
Muhyiddin sebelum ini mengumumkan penutupan penuh sektor sosial dan ekonomi atau 'total lockdown' di seluruh negara selama 14 hari bermula 1 Jun.
Susulan itu, pelbagai pihak menggesa kerajaan mengumumkan pakej bantuan khas termasuk moratorium pinjaman bank kepada rakyat yang terkesan.
Sumber:
Muhyiddin: Loan repayment aid, moratorium worth RM30b to benefit five million borrowers
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Monday, 31 May 2021 10:32 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Loan repayment assistance and a moratorium worth up to RM30 billion starting June 2021 is expected to benefit more than five million borrowers, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Muhyiddin said that as a result of discussions with Bank Negara Malaysia, the banking industry gave full assurance and commitment to continue to provide loan repayment assistance and moratorium.
“Therefore, for all B40 groups and people affected by job loss as well as micro-enterprises and SMEs that are not allowed to operate during the movement control order (MCO), you are given the option to obtain a moratorium approval automatically for three months,” he said when announcing the Pemerkasa Plus assistance package worth RM40 billion here tonight.
“Insha-Allah, the banking industry will provide more detailed information on this matter starting tomorrow. I hope, the announcement of this automatic moratorium can give some relief to borrowers of banking institutions,” he said.
Muhyiddin said the government would also launch the Bus and Taxi Hire Purchase Rehabilitation Scheme this week with an allocation of RM1 billion.
He said that through the scheme, eligible bus and taxi operators can get a loan moratorium of up to 12 months and extend the loan period up to 36 months.
“I recommend that government agencies and companies offer deferred loan repayments as well as discounts on business premises rental,” he said.
Mara will also continue the Mara Prihatin Peace of Mind programme which is open until July 31, 2021 where borrowers can apply online to reschedule education loan repayments or moratorium, he said.
For Mara entrepreneurs affected by the economic downturn, a 30 per cent discount on the rental of business premises will be given for the months of May to July 2021. — Bernama
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Fomca demands moratorium, salary cut for MPs ahead of lockdown
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May 29, 2021 @ 5:56pm
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) has demanded the government to reinstate a blanket loan moratorium for six months as the country goes into total lockdown next week.
Apart from that, Fomca president Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason called the government to halt salary payment for members of parliament and state assemblymen during the lockdown period.
"Since the Parliament and state assemblies are not functioning, why should MPs and state assemblymen be paid for idling on their couch at home?
"Instead, the government should provide at least RM3,000 financial aid for every B40 (bottom 40 per cent) household for six months. Similar assistance should be given to M40 (middle 40 per cent) households as well.
"Utility bills should also not be raised for these households.
"Taxpayers must be exempted from paying income tax as their jobs are hanging in the balance due to the government's short-sighted decisions.
"Likewise, individuals who sell their properties during this period must be exempted from taxes," he told the New Straits Times today.
Marimuthu also urged for bankruptcy proceedings to be deferred at the moment.
Instead, he called for the government to expedite the Covid-19 vaccination drive and provide students with iPad for them to follow home-based teaching and learning (PdPR).
Source:
Semakan tarif air PBAPP ikut kelulusan Kerajaan Persekutuan
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Mei 28, 2021 @ 12:49pm
Georgetown: Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang dan Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) tidak menetapkan masa semakan semula tarif air di Pulau Pinang kerana ia tertakluk kepada kelulusan Kerajaan Persekutuan.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Datuk Ir Jaseni Maidinsa berkata, permohonan bagi semakan tarif sudah dilakukan pihaknya pada 2019 bagi memenuhi syarat memperbaharui Lesen Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN) untuk beroperasi pada tahun 2020 hingga 2022.
"SPAN memutuskan bagi mengadakan rundingan awam mengenai permohonan semakan tarif PBAPP pada tahun 2021.
"Permohonan PBAPP pada 2019 juga sudah mematuhi arahan SPAN yang mewajibkan semua operator air di Malaysia menetapkan tarif berpatutan, sesuai dengan formula Mekanisme Penetapan Tarif (TSM) SPAN," katanya menerusi kenyataan di sini, hari ini.
Terdahulu Naib Presiden MCA, Datuk Tan Teik Cheng mendakwa Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang perlu menghentikan rancangan bagi menaikkan tarif air yang dikatakan tidak sesuai berikutan pandemik Covid-19.
Menurut Jaseni, SPAN juga melaksanakan rundingan awam berhubung cadangan semakan tarif di Kedah, Perak, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan serta Johor bagi tahun 2021 selain Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor dan WP Labuan pada 2019 dan 2020.
Read more: Semakan tarif air PBAPP ikut kelulusan Kerajaan Persekutuan
Takziah kepada keluarga arwah Tuan Haji Ahmad, Pengerusi Persatuan Pelindung Pengguna Kelantan (PELINDUNG)
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Ucapan takziah kepada keluarga arwah Tuan Haji Ahmad, Pengerusi Persatuan Pelindung Pengguna Kelantan (PELINDUNG)
HAS YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY INCREASED THE PRICE OF YOUR MEDICAL PREMIUMS?
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PRESS RELEASE / SIARAN MEDIA
10th MAY 2021
HAS YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY INCREASED THE PRICE OF YOUR MEDICAL PREMIUMS?
FOMCA has been recently receiving many complaints from policy holders of medical insurance of indiscriminate increase in the price of their premiums. We are concerned of how extensive this issue this and how many consumers have been similarly affected by the price increase of their premiums.
We call on all consumers with medical insurance policies to inform us of the price increase of your premiums and for those who have not received any notices of price increase in your medical insurance to contact your agent and ask him/her if there is indeed any increase in the price of your medical premiums.
At the current time, with unending lockdowns and conditional lockdowns, many consumers have been severely affected either through loss of jobs or reduction in incomes. This is certainly not the time to increase insurance premiums.
It is certainly wrong and unacceptable that insurance companies, at this time raise premium prices to make excessive profits. Consumers are already suffering.
If based on your feedback, we find that many consumers have been forced to pay increasing medical premiums, FOMCA will be launching a National Campaign to urge Bank Negara Malaysia to Stop the Increase in Medical Premiums.
Consumers are facing tremendous economic pressure due to job loss, income loss and economic insecurity. Now is certainly not the time to increase medical insurance premiums.
As a responsible regulator, Bank Negara Malaysia, to protect consumers, should have already pre-emptively directed insurance companies not to increase premiums at his point of time.
Please provide the feedback to FOMCA to enable us to know if you have been affected by the price increase of your medical insurance premium?
Let us as consumers act together to protect our interests.
These are the information we need
- Insurance Company
- Current Annual Insurance Premium (RM)
- New Annual Insurance Premium (RM)
You may email us the details at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via this online form .
Kindly visit our webpage for more information.
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