Immigration Dept to take over MM2H applications from October
The Immigration Department will start handling new applications for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme from October, taking over from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac). The move follows the Home Ministry’s announcement on MM2H on Aug 11. All new applications will be processed and handled by the Immigration Department from October 2021. “During this transition period, Motac, through the MM2H Centre, will handle matters related to existing participants until Sept 15. After that, all matters related to existing application processing and logistics services will be taken over completely by the Immigration Department,” the ministry said in a statement. It advised those seeking more information to log on to the Immigration Department’s website at https://www.imi.gov.my/ or call 03-8880 1555/1556. (The Star)
Mid-level expats’ pay package in Malaysia eases, Singapore fifth highest
The average pay package for a mid-level expatriate worker in Malaysia has seen a slight fall to US$157,054 annually, according to ECA International MyExpatriate Market Pay research. ECA International regional director Lee Quane said the average mid-level expatriate in Malaysia saw a salary of US$71,025 in 2020, slightly less than the previous year. “The cost of benefits fell by… US$1,952 on average, as rents dropped amid a lack of demand for expatriate accommodation,” he said. In Asia, cash salaries of expatriates in Singapore remain fifth highest worldwide, making it the 17th most expensive location globally for companies to send expatriates to. Thailand saw the biggest plunge in rankings, dropping out of the global top 20 most expensive locations to hire expatriate employees. Besides that, expatriate packages see overall decreases in Hong Kong, in light of falling accommodation costs, while Taiwan bucks the trend, moving into the top 10 most expensive locations globally, as rising housing prices inflate benefit packages. (NST Online)
Socso: International Public Employment Forum 2021 to help revive country’s labour sector
The Social Security Organisation (Socso) will organise the International Public Employment Forum 2021 (IPEF 2021) to help revive the country’s labour sector through the sharing of information and best practices to rebuild life after the Covid-19 pandemic. Socso said the virtual international forum consisted of three different programmes which would be held simultaneously from September 6 to 9. The programmes are Socso’s Regional Return to Work (RTW) Digimos Symposium 2021 (September 6 to 7), International Public Employment Services Symposium (September 7 to 8) and Career Fair (September 7 to 9). All three programmes are open to all levels of the society and participation is free of charge. “Socso urged the public including professionals, academicians, employers, job seekers, graduates and school leavers to participate in IPEF 2021. Registration is now open through www.perkeso.gov.my/ipef,” the statement read. (Malay Mail)
Guan Eng moots bipartisan turnaround plan to save Malaysia’s economy
An immediate injection of RM45 billion in federal funds to Malaysian businesses can help save the country’s severely crippled economy, DAP’s Lim Guan Eng said. The Bagan MP said he communicated this message to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during a meeting yesterday with other Pakatan Harapan leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Muhammad Sabu. “A bipartisan National Economic Turnaround Plan is urgently needed to help distressed Malaysians and businesses losing their jobs, businesses and incomes from the economic recession that has caused more than RM500 billion in losses since the MCO in March 2020,” said Lim. The DAP secretary-general also suggested the new government set aside RM30 billion in grants, monetary incentives, wage, rent and utility subsidies instead of offering loans and guarantees to Malaysians. Lim also said politicians should set aside their partisan differences and work together in the face of the current Covid-19 crisis that has taken a heavy toll on the country. (Malay Mail)
Perlis MB says 30 companies keen to invest in Chuping Valley Industrial Area
A total of 30 companies have expressed interest to invest in the Chuping Valley Industrial Area (CVIA) as at July this year, said Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man. He said out of the 30 companies, five were committed and had received policy approval through the State Executive Council to implement investment projects in the CVIA. “The companies that have been approved are the Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd with an estimated investment of RM54 million, Biotech Birdnest Processing Sdn Bhd with an estimated investment of RM13 million, Next Generation Oil Sdn Bhd with about RM2 billion, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Asian Sustainable Transportation Institute with RM197 million, and Perlis Inland Port with about RM1.8 billion,” he said. The mentri besar also said the remaining investors were companies interested in solar hubs or solar farms on state government land. (Malay Mail)
