Text us! > Warning on scams
If you want to have your say immediately, use your cellphone. SMS your comments to The Star on topics and issues related to general news, business and sports (include name/ pseudonym): Type STAR NW (or BZ or SP) followed by the message and send to 39993. This is a free service. However, normal mobile operators’ network charges apply.
Senior citizens, please be on the alert. Scammers are very active now due to these desperate times. Last week, my friend received a call from a mobile number supposedly from her bank, informing her that her account has been frozen. She quickly ended the call.
> Use unclaimed money
Instead of encouraging EPF contributors to dip into their Account 1 retirement savings to help them tide over the economic hardship due to Covid-19, could the government use the RM9bil unclaimed money under the care of the Registrar of Unclaimed Money, Accountant-General’s Department to assist them? – Lee Hui Seng
> Give notice in advance
I refer to the advertisement on a scheduled power outage by Tenaga Nasional (Metro Star, Nov 24). Thank you, TNB. Such advance notices assist consumers to prepare themselves for the event. Other utilities and service providers, like JKR (Public Works Department) that digs up our roads, should do the same. Please let us know in advance of any of your upgrading works. – M Kaur, Petaling Jaya
> Penalty not heavy enough
Why is the trade in bushmeat still rampant in Sarawak? It is because it is a lucrative business and punishment for those involved is not punitive enough.
> Impose windfall tax
If palm oil companies can be subjected to windfall tax, I don’t see why glove companies cannot. The tax collected can be used to help struggling SMEs, especially those in the retail and hospitality sectors.
> Project offer opportunities
Hope the government will proceed with the High Speed Rail Kuala Lumpur-Singapore project as planned. This mega project will create a lot of job opportunities for local contractors and workers. – SAM
> Not on the list
Re: “Malaysian varsities soar in rankings” ( The Star, Nov 27; online at bit.ly/star_soar), it’s surprising to note that Universiti Malaysia Sarawak didn’t make the mark. I hope the state’s Chief Minister will look into this. Education is the way to develop the state.
> Best budget
Simply put, Budget 2021 is a good one. MPs must make no mistake that this budget is for all Malaysians and should have accepted it as soon as it was presented by the Finance Minister. Failing to adopt it now is not only unthinkable but would also make the opposing MPs the enemy of the rakyat whom they are supposed to represent. – William Ong