PM launches Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme guidebook, website
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in the country this Sunday while the ‘roll out’ for implementation of the National COVID-19 Immunisation begins in phases from Feb 26. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he would receive the vaccine on the first day of the programme implementation, together with the frontliners. The first phase of the programme, which is until April, will involve the frontliners, followed by the second phase, which is in April until August, for the high-risk groups, he said when launching the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Handbook today. The third phase, which is from May this year until February next year, is for those aged 18 and above. Muhyiddin said implementation of the comprehensive immunisation programme is to ensure herd immunity can be formed in the community in order to break the chain of the COVID-19 infection and finally end the COVID-19 pandemic. Muhyddin said the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Handbook that was launched today was to provide explanation on the immunisation programme policy. The handbook can be downloaded from the website www.VaksinCovid.gov.my. (Bernama)
Property market likely to see recovery only in 2022, says Rahim & Co
The local property market is expected to be soft this year and likely to see a further delay in recovery to 2022, according to Rahim & Co in its Property Market Review 2020/2021. While there is optimism that the turning point will be in the latter part of 2021 with the vaccine about to be mobilised, a further delay in recovery to 2022 would not be a surprise with the recent resurgence of Covid-19 cases and reimplementation of lockdowns, it said. “We expect the residential market to remain focused on the affordable segment as overhang is still a concern. Secondary sales are expected to dominate the market with price consolidation, and the Home Ownership Campaign 2021 will give the market a boost,” said research director Sulaiman Saheh. In the office market, concerns about incoming supply remain. Rents and occupancy rates will continue to be under pressure. The industrial sector will continue to be driven by the logistics sector and there will be demand for large warehousing facilities with built-to-suit arrangements. (The Edge)
EPF puts assets up for sale
The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has identified at least seven assets located in Perlis, Kedah, Selangor, the Federal Territories and Negeri Sembilan to be put up for sale, with a total estimated value of RM350 million to RM450 million, according to sources. At least three of the assets are office buildings the provident fund is currently occupying. They comprise two office buildings in Kuala Lumpur — Bangunan KWSP in Jalan Raja Laut and Bangunan KWSP in Changkat Raja Chulan — and Bangunan KWSP Damansara Fairways in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Also for sale is a hospitality asset in Avillion Admiral Cove in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, while the fifth asset is a retail property in Section 18 in Shah Alam previously tenanted by Giant hypermarket. It is learnt that two other assets in Kangar, Perlis, and Alor Setar, Kedah, have also been identified for sale. The EPF says, as a long-term strategic investor for the benefit of its 14.8 million members, it is always in the process of acquiring as well as disposing of assets, which include real estate. (The Edge)
Muhyiddin launches policy to consolidate unity
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has launched the National Unity Policy to ensure that Malaysia remains a strong nation with unity at its core. Muhyiddin said the policy based on the concept “Unity in Diversity” outlines continuous efforts to nurture, strengthen and preserve the unity of the people. The three main objectives of the policy are to strengthen unity and national integration based on the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara (National Philosophy); form a national identity with character, patriotism, the attitude of caring, tolerance, mutual respect and responsibility as well as producing Malaysians who appreciate and foster unity. He explained that the National Unity Blueprint 2030 was produced to support the strategies outlined in the National Unity Policy as well as set the unity aspirations desired to be achieved in the next 10 years. He stressed that the National Unity Policy is a common policy and all parties are agents of unity that will bring this aspiration forward. (Bernama)
PM to launch MyDigital – Digital Economy Blueprint on Friday
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is set to launch MyDigital – the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint this Friday, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. MyDigital is a new and comprehensive approach to existing information and digital technology initiatives, including the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC); designed to become the foundation for the country’s transformation into a regional digital pulse by 2030. the government has formed The Digital Economy Council to establish the policies, as well as the implementation and the monitoring of the strategies and initiatives for Malaysia’s digital economy, adding that the council is chaired by the prime minister. Mustapa said the council will be the sole entity which will take over all existing digital and technology-related committees to facilitate coordination and avoid duplication of tasks. The council is driven by six clusters, namely Economy, Society, Emerging Technology, Digital Talent, Digital Infrastructure and Data and Government. (Bernama)
