Industry players urge govt to intervene over rising building material prices
The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (REHDA) and six other industry players have urged the government for continuous monitoring and enforcement to weed out profiteering and anti-competition activities in the building materials supply chain. In a joint statement, they said prices of building materials have been on a steep rising trend in recent months, and this has directly impacted the cost of doing business, resulting in a hike on construction cost of between 13% and 20%. Steel has risen by about 40% and sand, up by 20% since October 2020. This has put pressure on companies’ already-dwindling profit margins. They also proposed to the government to speed up the entry of foreign workers to ease the current shortage. They also proposed that the government extend the Variation of Price (VOP) clause, which involves government projects, by at least another 12 months as they expect prices to remain volatile beyond Dec 31 2021. (The Star)
Police extend summons 80% discount offer till Dec 31
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has extended its summons discount offer until Dec 31. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said this was due to the very encouraging response from the public to settle their outstanding summonses. He said traffic counters at all district and state police headquarters were also opened to the public for the purpose. Previously, the PDRM traffic counter in KLCC (Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre) had to be shut down due to the overwhelming number of people who had come to settle their summonses. He revealed that almost 2.3 million traffic summonses had been settled nationwide as of noon yesterday, with a total collection of RM109 million. The offer of up to 80% discount by the police and Road Transport Department (RTD) under the 100-day Malaysian Family Aspiration programme was initially scheduled between Dec 9 and 12. (NST Online)
Dewan Rakyat passes Budget 2022
The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Supply Bill (Budget) 2022 at the committee stage with a majority voice vote. The bill, which is the first budget under the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was passed after being debated at the committee stage for 13 days starting November 22. The budget was tabled by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz on October 29 with the highest allocation ever of RM332.1 billion to implement various strategies and initiatives to prosper the people and stimulate a progressive and sustainable economy post-Covid-19. It was passed at the policy stage on November 18. (Malay Mail)
Ministry to introduce Sekolahku Sejahtera concept to curb bullying
The Education Ministry will introduce a Sekolahku Sejahtera (Prosper My School) concept as a way of dealing with bullying in schools. “We are at the final stages of engagement to introduce the Sekolahku Sejahtera concept,” said Education Minister Datuk Radzi Jidin. “It is not a new subject but a concept to inculcate noble values among students,” he said. This comes in the wake of the most recent bullying incident at a boarding school in Perak. Radzi acknowledged that bullying in schools was not new and continued to occur despite stern action taken previously. On the Sekolahku Sejahtera concept, Radzi said rational behaviour was one of the values to be imparted. “These elements will be inculcated indirectly during classes,” he said. However, Radzi did not elaborate what the 14 elements were under the concept, only saying that he would do so at a later time. (The Star)
Special Johor Housing Programme expected to resolve outstanding issues since 1997
The Special Johor Housing Programme is expected to assist in resolving outstanding issues such as construction and home ownership in the state over the past 24 years, besides providing an opportunity to the people of Johor to own quality and high value homes. Johor State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Ayub Jamil said as announced by the Johor mentri the development programme would involve joint ventures with the private sector. “The main feature of the ‘Rumah Johor’ is a home of quality and high value, and consists of Rumah Makmur Johor (landed), Rumah Bandar Johor (low rise strata not more than three storeys), Pangsapuri Ihsan Johor (low rise strata not more than three storeys), Pangsapuri Johor (high rise strata and will only be built in the Central Business District) and Rumah Transit Johor (four -storey strata),” he said. It is expected that through this Special Johor Housing Programme, 115,000 affordable housing units that have been pending for 24 years will be built. (Malay Mail)
Intel to invest RM30 billion on chip manufacturing plant in Penang
U.S. chipmaker Intel (INTC) is reportedly planning to invest $7.1 billion or RM30 billion to build a state-of-the-art facility in Malaysia. According to Reuters, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority stated that Intel has selected Malaysia to expand manufacturing capabilities for its advanced semiconductor packaging technologies. The facility will be located in the northern state of Penang. The official announcement will be made during a event that is set to take place at Kuala Lumpur airport on Wednesday with Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, Malaysia’s trade minister and the CEO of the Malaysian Development Authority. The addition of advanced packaging capabilities to Intel’s operations in Malaysia will strengthen its supporting activities and its global service centre. The investment will position Malaysia as one of the key hubs for manufacturing and shared services. (Business Insider)
Malaysia gives conditional approval for use of Ronapreve Covid-19 treatment
Malaysia’s Health Ministry has given conditional approval for the use of the single-dose antibody cocktail Ronapreve, developed by Regeneron and Roche, to treat Covid-19. It has also approved a request from Merck & Co for a clinical trial import license for its Covid-19 pill Molnupiravir, to be used as part of studies being conducted in Malaysia, the ministry said in a statement. (Malay Mail)
