1 October 2021: Windfall tax ruled out for now; Civil servants must be vaccinated by Nov 1

Malaysia rules out levying windfall tax on businesses, for now

Malaysia for the time being does not intend to impose a windfall profit levy on glove makers or other businesses whose profits grew manifold during the global health crisis, said Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. Such a tax would require levying profits that exceed a certain threshold, he said in a written parliamentary reply on Wednesday, in response to opposition lawmaker Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, who had asked that the government commit to studying such a tax to help fund the nation’s recovery, citing glove makers. It would be difficult for the government to determine a uniform market price for consumer goods or locally manufactured products given the varied types, standards, specifications and grades. “Although not subject to the windfall profit levy, the rubber gloves manufacturing industry contributed to spillover effects to the national economy in terms of direct and indirect taxes, in particular increased corporate income tax, while providing job opportunities throughout the Covid crisis,” said Tengku Zafrul. (The Star)

Get vaccinated by Nov 1 or face action, civil servants told

All civil servants are required to complete their vaccinations before Nov 1 and those who are still unvaccinated on that date without being exempted will be subject to disciplinary action. The Public Services Department (PSD) said those who could not be vaccinated due to health complications must submit their medical reports, verified by a government medical officer, to their department heads. PSD said those yet to be vaccinated would have to do so at walk-in vaccination centres. Those who still remain unvaccinated from Nov 1 onwards without being exempted for health issues will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993, it said in a statement. The instruction is in line with the government’s efforts to increase the public’s confidence in returning to normalcy, as well as restore public services to maximum capacity based on the National Recovery Plan phases. To date, 98% of the civil servants have been vaccinated with about 16,900 still not registered for the purpose. (The Star)

Anti-hopping law to enhance political stability, public confidence

There is an immediate need for law reform, including the anti-hopping law to ensure confidence and good governance in Malaysia. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law), Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said an anti-hopping law was required to enhance political stability, public confidence in the democratic process as well as to ensure respect for the decision made by the electorate. Some countries like India, Singapore and the United Kingdom have the anti-hopping or anti-defector law or amendments to the related laws including the constitution that provides for expulsion or vacation of seats of the hoppers. “Limiting the prime minister’s term to not more than 10 years is another important reform as it provides reassurance to the people that no one person can stay in office for too long, as well as reducing the possibility of corruption and other malpractices like nepotism and cronyism,” he said. According to Wan Junaidi, such a reform would allow for a change in leadership policy-making and provided an opportunity for fresh ideas and healthy competition while strengthening democracy. (Malay Mail)

KPKT to focus on strong ‘Liveable Malaysia’ agenda for successful 12MP

The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) will make the Liveable Malaysia agenda the main focus in the successful planning of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) for the well-being of the “Malaysian Family” concept. The priority areas in the 12MP that touch on the ministry’s functions and roles are to ensure the provision of adequate, quality and affordable housing; improving the living standards of poor households; monitoring and evaluating efforts and implementation towards achieving urban sustainability. Other areas of priority are mainstreaming digitisation in the delivery of local authority’s services; prioritising green and resilient urban development; as well as transforming solid waste management towards the development of a recycling economy. KPKT said the ceiling price of affordable housing would be introduced in the secondary market as a mechanism to control house prices, especially in urban areas. The rent-to-own (RTO) scheme will be expanded to include houses priced up to RM500,000. KPKT said it was in the process of setting up a National Housing Corporation (NHC) which would serve as a leader in integrated housing development. (Malay Mail)

Malaysian students going abroad for studies among those exempted from MyTravelPass

Students who have just received offers in foreign universities and the two persons accompanying them are among those exempted from applying for permission to leave the country via the MyTravelPass (MTP) from October 1, said Immigration Department director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud. The exemption also applies to students leaving to resume their studies and the two persons accompanying them as well as for students sitting for examinations overseas and their two escorts. He said also exempted were emergency situations such as death and critical illness; meeting husbands or wives in another country and whose marriage is registered overseas; attending sports events, seminars and meetings as well as joining humanitarian missions. “Malaysian and foreign diplomats also need not have to apply for the MTP,” he said. (Malay Mail)

Singapore to host centralised Suzuki Cup

Singapore will be the venue for Southeast Asia’s Suzuki Cup, organisers said on Tuesday. The tournament, which features the 11 countries in the Asean region, was held on a home-and-away basis in 2018 but will be played in a centralised format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition has already been delayed by a year after being postponed because of coronavirus restrictions. Defending champions Vietnam have been drawn to play Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and Laos in Group B. Hosts Singapore are in Group A and will meet Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines and the winner of a playoff featuring Brunei and Timor Leste. The opening game will be on Dec. 5 with the final scheduled for Jan. 1. (Reuters)