No more home quarantine for PCA travellers
The government will no longer allow travellers coming into Malaysia under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) to be put under home quarantine, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba. He said this came about after a Malaysian travelling back to the country via the PCA tested positive for Covid-19. The patient has since been isolated and given treatment. The PCA is a scheme agreed to between Singapore and Malaysia to allow work and business-related travel between the two countries through the land border crossings at the Johor-Singapore Causeway and Malaysia-Singapore Second Link. Those placed at quarantine centres in hotels would bear the cost. “About 815 individuals entered Malaysia under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) while another 2,647 under the PCA. “So far, there have been no Covid-19 cases reported for those travelling back under the RGL, ” he said. (The Star Online)
E-scooter and e-bike users may soon require registration and licence in Malaysia
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has revealed that his ministry will soon regulate the use of micromobility vehicles in Malaysia once the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020 takes into effect. There is currently no insurance protection for micromobility vehicles. The parties involved in an accident would have to fork out their own money for medical costs and repair costs. Once the amended Road Transport Bill is passed and becomes law, the Ministry of Transport Malaysia will regulate micromobility vehicles which include mandatory registration and driving licence if appropriate. The Ministry will also impose a ban of such vehicles from public roads. Wee added that the Ministry of Transport will explain the type of vehicles that fall under the micromobility category as well as licence and registration required. The ministry will also highlight what vehicles are prohibited from roads to ensure safety and priority for other road users. (Malay Mail)
Kampung Baru land valuation seen lower with new redevelopment deal
The revised Kampung Baru redevelopment project is expected to offer landowners less than the RM1,000 psf that was offered by the previous government to modernise the Malay enclave in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Property experts and valuers familiar with the proposed project said the valuation can go even below RM850 per sq ft if the government decides to go ahead with amalgamation of plots and grids it has proposed in the latest revision of the redevelopment project. A valuer opined that due to the “retail arrangements” that are expected to be the modus operandi of the new deal, each plot would be sold on a willing-seller-willing-buyer basis between landlords and developers, which could push the price even lower. After multiple changes in its blueprint within the last couple of years, Kg Baru’s redevelopment again hit the limelight when current FT Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said Perikatan Nasional administration had to cancel the entire land purchase deal. As a result, Annuar said PN will introduce a new plan for Kg Baru’s redevelopment, which would involve about 846 plots on 89ha owned by some 5,374 landlords, facilitated by Kg Baru Development Corp (KBDC). (The Malaysian Reserve)
Factory behind river pollution to be served notice to cease ops
The factory involved in the water pollution incident in Sungai Gong, Rawang, will be issued a notice to cease operations on Monday, says Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. The Gombak District and Land Office (PDT) will be issuing a Notice to Remedy a Breach of Condition (7A) to the factory involved to restore the land, demolish its buildings and cease operating. The water pollution incident on Thursday has caused unscheduled water disruption for 1.2 million consumers in seven districts around the Klang Valley. Commenting further, he said local authorities had already issued a notice to the factory in March, however, the owner remained stubborn and began operating again in June. Earlier, Environment Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man was reported as saying those behind the river pollution issue would be prosecuted by next week. He said amendments to the existing law would also be expedited so that heavier punishments could be imposed against the offenders. (The Edge)
Demak Laut to see rapid development with infrastructure projects
The Demak Laut state constituency in Kuching, Sarawak will enjoy rapid development with the implementation of various projects including housing estates, bridges and coastal roads, said its state assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni. He said the development projects to be implemented included new housing settlements in the Sejingkat and Muara Tabuan areas, as well as three other affordable housing projects. Allocations have also been approved for the construction of a RM200 million bridge with direct access to the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). In addition to this, an 8.5 km long coastal road that is ‘the missing link’ will now be built to connect Bako and Buntal. (Malay Mail)
