62 new Covid-19 cases in Malaysia, highest since June
Malaysia recorded a massive jump in new Covid-19 cases yesterday, the Health Ministry has announced, bringing the tally of infections in Malaysia to 9,459. Of the 62 new cases registered today, 56 were local transmissions with the remaining six imported. According to the ministry, 50 of these cases originated from the Benteng Lahad Datu cluster in Sabah which first emerged on September 1. The Benteng Lahad Datu cluster has recorded 66 positive Covid-19 cases to date, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said. The number of new cases reported today is the highest daily figure recorded since June 4, when 277 cases were reported. This is also the highest daily figure recorded since the RMCO began on June 10, with 43 cases as registered on June 13. (Malay Mail)
Iskandar Waterfront, China’s Metallurgical Corp to co-develop land in Johor
Iskandar Waterfront Holdings (IWH) has teamed up with Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd to jointly undertake a property project that is estimated to yield RM8 billion in gross development value. IWH’s subsidiary Danga Heights Development (DHD) and Metallurgical Corp’s units MCC Singapore had formed a joint venture to co-develop 148 acres (60ha) of prime commercial land in Skudai, Johor. The large-scale development is scheduled to be developed over the next 10 years and is estimated to yield a gross development value of RM8 billion. “The project is one of the largest of its kind to be announced since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic earlier this year,” the company said. The joint venture marks MCC Singapore’s first major foray into the real estate industry of Malaysia. It is also one of the biggest foreign direct investments (FDI) in Iskandar Malaysia following the Covid-19 outbreak and is certain to inject renewed confidence as well as encourage further investments in the Johor property industry. (NST Online)
Malaysia tourism city project pending EPU approval — Nancy
The proposed Malaysia Tourism City (MTC) project which would feature the world’s first Hasbro water theme park in Kuala Linggi, Melaka is waiting for approval from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU). Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the project worth RM120 million should be scrutinised properly, before it is finalised. The MTC project to be developed by Meridian Bhd comprises four main branches, namely mass tourism, health tourism, education tourism and ecotourism on a 251-hectare land. Among the components of the project is the Hasbro Theme Park, in which the international toy brand will have about 1,000 intellectual properties on-site. The project is expected to generate RM5 billion additional income to the country’s tourism sector. (The Edge)
Employer’s EPF contribution date extended
Employers may remit their mandatory contribution for September to December this year from the 15th of the month to the 30th of each month, respectively. The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) previously extended the remittance date for April to August, which was aimed at alleviating the employers’ burden during the pandemic. “The decision to pursue this flexibility is in line with the government’s recent announcement to extend the recovery movement control order until Dec 31,” it said yesterday. (The Star Online)
Citizens from 23 countries barred from entering Malaysia
Citizens from 23 countries who are long-term pass holders are barred by the Immigration Department from entering Malaysia. The ban, which took effect yesterday, was imposed as these countries have recorded a high number of Covid-19 cases. They are the United States, Brazil, India, Russia, Peru, Colombia, South Africa, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Chile, Iran, Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. Also on the list are Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Iraq, the Philippines and Indonesia. The list was published in the Immigration Department’s official Facebook last Friday. The latest ban will affect long-term pass holders, including those holding permanent resident status, participants of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, expatriates and professional visit pass holders. Also barred from entry are spouses of Malaysian citizens as well as students. (The Star Online)
