Malaysia hits lowest new daily Covid-19 cases since MCO
Malaysia recorded 16 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, the lowest number since the movement control ordered (MCO) was issued on March 18. The previous record was on May 5, when there were 30 new Covid-19 cases. Prior to this, Malaysia had undergone a steady climb in new cases since May 5. In his daily press briefing, Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also revealed that there were 110 new recovery cases, with a cumulative case of 5,223 or 77.5% of total Covid-19 cases. There was also zero deaths from Covid-19 yesterday. However, the emergence of new clusters in countries such as China and South Korea that have recovered from Covid-19 is a cause for concern for Malaysia, says the Health Ministry. (Malay Mail)
Third mosque and a Quran Village planned for Putrajaya
Putrajaya is set to get a third mosque as the population in the area is expected to increase from the current 120,000 to 300,000 in five years’ time, said Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa. He said Precinct 14 had been identified as the site for the third mosque and it might be built based on the concept of ‘Al-Quran’. Putrajaya currently houses two mosques: the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque and Putra Mosque. “We are also considering building a Quran Village at the same site in a bid to empower the Islamic culture and Quranic knowledge, especially among foreign tourists,” he said. The ministry was also trying to encourage more people, not just civil servants, to buy property in Putrajaya, which is the federal administrative capital. (Free Malaysia Today)
Tax accountants: Malaysia should bring back GST and reduce cigarettes’ tax
To help kickstart the economy, the Malaysian government should consider certain unorthodox measures such as bringing back the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as well as reduce the excise duty on cigarettes. Datuk Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar, president of the Malaysian Association of Tax Accountants (MATA) said this is to ensure sufficient funds for the country as revenue from income tax is sure to drop because of the sluggish economy. Pointing out that income tax forms the largest component of the country’s revenue at more than 50% of the nation’s coffers annually, Abdul Aziz noted however that many companies have been unable to operate or are running at a lower output during the Covid-19 pandemic. He pointed out that the GST is a more broad-based tax system compared to the current Sales and Services Tax (SST). The rate of excise duties for cigarettes has long been a topic of debate, with high tax rates seen as a way for the government to pursue its goal of curbing the smoking habit, while tobacco companies have argued that high tax rates would encourage illegal trade and cigarette smuggling that would result in revenue loss to the government. (Malay Mail)
Dine-ins now allowed in Selangor, says MB
Eateries in Selangor can be fully operational and open for dine-ins from Wednesday (May 13). “Restaurants, food courts, roofed stalls and food kiosks can now fully operate, including serving food and drinks in their premises, from 7am to 10pm,” said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. He added that it was subject to social distancing. However, placing tables on five-foot ways and parking lots was still prohibited. Food trucks, roadside food vendors as well as vendors who fall under the non-premises category can also start operating from 8am to 10pm but can only serve drive-throughs, take-aways and deliveries. All parks are also open to the public for recreation from 7am to 7pm. “Hiking and camping are still not allowed but fishing activities are permitted,” said Amirudin. (The Star Online)
TNB to open Kedai Tenaga, self-service kiosks in 5 green zone states
Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) will resume operations of its Kedai Tenaga in stages this week. TNB chief retail officer Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan said the move was in line with the government’s decision to ease restrictions on the services sector during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). He said the reopening will involve 47 Kedai Tenaga and 31 self-service payment kiosks in five states declared as green zones by the Health Ministry. The states involved are Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak (except the Kedai Tenaga in Sri Manjung) and Kelantan. Meanwhile, the reopening of outlets in other states will be notified in due course. He added that customers can also perform a variety of other transactions including bill enquiry, applying for electricity supply for a new property, and disconnecting supply once they have vacated it. He added that TNB’s meter reading operation will resume on a staggered basis from May 15 onwards, starting with green zone states. (NST Online)
