JPJ: All licenses must be renewed by Sept 30
All road users must renew their licenses by Sept 30 and there will be no more extensions to the grace period given. The Road Transport Department (JPJ) said that these licenses include the Competent Driving Licences (CDL), Motor Vehicle Licences (LKM or road tax), Goods Driving Licence (GDL) and the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) license. The moratorium period or extension of the deadline for renewals will stop on Sept 30. “Checks on compliance and enforcement by JPJ enforcers will start from Oct 1 onwards,” it said in a statement. JPJ also urged vehicle owners to do renewals online via the MySikap JPJ or MyEG portal. JPJ noted that national courier Pos Malaysia is expected to start handling JPJ transactions at its over 650 branches nationwide beginning Aug 9 following a discussion. (The Star)
Malaysia, SE Asian factories hit by vaccination woes, Delta as economic recovery at risk
Fresh outbreaks of the Delta coronavirus variant in South-east Asia have crippled its factory sector, disrupting global supplies of goods such as rubber gloves, semiconductors and SUVs and threatening the US$3 trillion (RM12.7 trillion) region’s recovery. A series of factory surveys this week showed business activity across most South-east Asian economies fell sharply in July, a contrast to more resilient manufacturing economies in Northeast Asia and the West, where business growth has slowed but remained in expansion. The economic disruptions in South-east Asia caused by the virus have been made worse by slow progress in vaccinations, as governments struggle to secure doses and have imposed costly lockdowns. For South-east Asia’s manufacturers, which are competitive largely because of low-cost labour and access to raw materials, the impact of new outbreaks on labour supply has been a major production bottleneck. Moody’s Investors Service said Asia-Pacific economies with “concentrated economic structures” and weak institutions would be hit hardest. (Malay Mail)
Ivory Properties to jointly develop residential properties in Kedah
Ivory Properties Group Bhd has teamed up with ECK Development Sdn Bhd to jointly develop residential components at AirportCity and Aerotropolis in Kedah. The Penang-based property developer said it has entered into a binding term sheet with ECK for the venture on a land measuring 135 acres. ECK has in principal been appointed by the Kedah state government as an investor and to be involved in the proposed development of Kulim International Airport (KXP), AirportCity and Aerotropolis in Sidam Kiri in Kedah’s Kuala Muda district. ECK will also secure for Ivory Properties, the development rights to all residential components of the project as the main developer, while the profit derived from the development of the residential components will be shared between the two groups. (The Edge)
In a greying Malaysia, youths opt to remain single
Youths are shunning marriage and big families amid a decline in the country’s birthrate that’s projected to turn Malaysia into an ageing nation by 2030. A nationwide survey published by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) on July 1 revealed that less than half (41.8%) of youths aged between 18 and 35 plan on getting married and most would rather have smaller families. Respondents of the survey believe singlehood gives them more freedom in life and marriage increases one’s financial commitment. The department’s data also showed that in 2019, the crude birth rate for Malaysia was 15 births per thousand population, which had gradually decreased from 32.8 births per thousand population in 1971. Malaysia, according to the Department of Statistics, may become an ageing nation by 2030 with people aged 60 years and over surpassing 15% of the population. These trends could adversely impact the country’s labour force and its progress to becoming a developed nation. However, experts noted that a huge population was not a must for Malaysia to become a high-income nation. “There are other factors that must be taken into account when evaluating Malaysia’s efforts to achieve developed-country status, such as our mortality rate versus fertility rates.” (The Star)
Transport minister: Food delivery services policy to be presented to Cabinet
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong today said that a policy to implement and regulate food delivery (p-hailing) services in the country will be presented to the Cabinet soon. He said the Transport Ministry and other ministries are currently finalising the technical details of the policy. “The policy, among others, contains details on the Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) contributions of riders, content limits allowed, as well as road safety,” said Wee. In principle, Wee said the Transport Ministry will be responsible for handling the policy for p-hailing with other ministries assisting in providing relevant input. Last April, the Transport Ministry held a discussion with the relevant ministries to review the rules, thus regulating the p-hailing industry in the country. Last Sunday, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, said that the two main players of p-hailing services, namely Food Panda Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Grab Malaysia, were asked to submit comprehensive proposals and policies to be implement in the near future. (Malay Mail)
DKKB launched as guide for implementation of urban farming activities
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin has virtually launched the Urban Community Farming Policy (DKKB) to serve as a guide to regulate and propel urban farming in the country. It outlines five thrusts and 17 strategies which are in line with regulations and procedures currently enforced by local government authorities. According to Zuraida, DKKB would ensure effective urban landscape management, involving joint responsibilities between local authorities and the local community. She said the policy is an initiative to empower the urban communities and create opportunities and rooms for individuals and communities to manage the short-term social economy by encouraging organic vegetable faming. DKKB is also aimed at ensuring the public knows the do’s and don’t’s, she added. (The Edge)
