March 31 (Reuters) - Tiger Woods told authorities he was looking down at his phone and did not realize the truck in front of him had slowed down before his rollover crash in Florida last week, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained on Tuesday.
Counting the cost: Low and Malaysia Workers’ Bus Operators Association president Jackie Chew discussing the impact of rising diesel costs on factory bus operators. — KK SHAM/The Star SHAH ALAM: Allowing loan moratorium s for companies affected by rising diesel prices would help ease mounting financial strain on businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises , said Selangor MCA chairman Datuk Lawrence Low.
In urging Putrajaya to adopt measures similar to those implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic movement control order, he warned that escalating fuel costs are severely disrupting companies’ cash flow. He said MCA is appealing for immediate intervention, including temporary loan deferments and financial assistance, to help such businesses stay afloat. “There is a mechanism the government can implement for affected companies, and this is crucial because cash flow is now being severely impacted, especially for SMEs,” he said during a press conference at the Selangor MCA headquarters here yesterday. Low also called for the establishment of a special committee comprising key ministries, including the Transport Ministry, Finance Ministry, Works Ministry, Housing and Local Government Ministry, and Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, to engage directly with industry players. “We urge the government to form a special committee and immediately hold dialogues with NGOs, SMEs and associations so it can better understand the impact of diesel price increases,” he said. Highlighting the scale of the increase, Low said diesel prices had surged by RM2.53 over the past six weeks – from RM2.99 per litre between Jan 29 and Feb 25 to RM5.52 per litre as of yesterday. He noted that prices rose incrementally at first, from RM3.04 per litre and RM3.12 , before jumping sharply by 80 sen for three consecutive weeks to RM3.92, RM4.72 and RM5.52. “These substantial hikes have disrupted operators’ cost structures almost overnight. Fuel costs make up a significant portion of their expenses,” he said. Low said many operators, particularly SMEs, are now struggling to sustain daily operations, with some at risk of reducing services or shutting down altogether. “This will not only affect operators but also workers and manufacturers who rely heavily on their services,” he said, citing factory bus operators as an example. He added that MCA has received numerous complaints from affected businesses, warning that disruptions could lead to job losses and severe consequences for SMEs. Low also questioned the pricing mechanism, pointing out that global crude oil prices had recently fallen below US$100 per barrel, yet diesel retail prices in Malaysia continued to rise. “Many are asking what formula is being used. We hope the government can explain this clearly,” he said, while cautioning that if industry players are forced to pass on higher costs, consumers will ultimately bear the burden. “We are concerned that this could lead to another wave of inflation. If all industries increase prices, the negative impact will be felt across the economy,” he said, adding that some diesel-reliant sectors, particularly construction, have temporarily halted operations due to such uncertainty. Low added that MCA will continue to provide a platform for dialogue with SME players to address their concerns.
Diesel Prices SME Financial Strain Putrajaya Measures Cash Flow Disruption Special Committee Diesel Price Surge Smes And Associations Job Losses Inflation Concern
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