PM announces plans for Bumi quotas in malls and ‘strategic locations’
The government has proposed quotas for Bumiputera-owned businesses in strategic locations such as shopping malls as part of efforts to increase the community’s participation in the economy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Ismail Sabri, who is also the chairman of the Bumiputera Prosperity Council (MKB), said the quotas would be managed transparently and fairly so that its ultimate goal can be achieved, in line with the aspirations of Keluarga Malaysia. He said that the presence of Bumiputera businesses in prestigious malls and tourist hotspots was still low due to the high rental rates even though some of these establishments are owned by GLCs. On Bumiputera involvement in government procurement, Ismail Sabri said that Bumiputera companies take up 80% from the overall yearly contract cost across all government agencies. He said the government will also set up a Bumiputera Agenda Empowerment Unit (UPAB) in each ministry and government agency in order to coordinate all Bumiputera initiatives, policies and agendas. (Malay Mail)
Air and land VTL to open on Nov 29
Fully vaccinated travellers from Singapore will be able to travel to Malaysia under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) by land and air starting from Nov 29 without needing to undergo quarantine upon arrival, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. He added this also applies to travellers from Malaysia entering Singapore. The ministry said travellers from Singapore do not need to apply to travel to Malaysia under the VTL since the entry facilities would be processed upon arrival and they were also not required to apply for a MyTravel Pass from the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Travellers must have completed a full regiment of a Covid-19 vaccine recognised by the Health Ministry and must remain in Singapore or Malaysia in the last 14 consecutive days before departure. Travellers were also required to undergo the RT-PCR tests within two days prior to their departure. The VTL would commence with six daily services which would be operated by AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Scoot and Singapore Airlines. (The Star)
IRB announces special income remittance programme for Malaysian residents
The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) is offering a Special Income Remittance Programme (PKPP) to Malaysian residents who have income deposited abroad. The agency said this is in line with the abolishment of tax exemption on foreign-sourced income, which was announced by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz when tabling Budget 2022. “The programme will be implemented from January 1 to June 30, 2022, during which a gross tax rate of three per cent will be imposed on income repatriated back as proposed under the Finance Bill 2021. There will be no audit review, investigation or penalty on income brought in during the PKPP period; all income brought in will be received in good faith by IRB,” it said in a statement. IRB said taxpayers are encouraged to participate in this special programme in order to update their tax position. A list of frequently asked questions and guidelines related to PKPP to the public can be found at IRB’s official portal. (Malay Mail)
Developers eye police golf course, land around Taman Tasik Titiwangsa
Several property developers are understood to be eyeing a 200-acre tract of government land in Kuala Lumpur that stretches from Taman Tasik Titiwangsa on Jalan Kuantan, including a nine-hole golf course — Kelab Golf Titiwangsa PDRM — all the way to Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, where the police training centre (Pusat Latihan Polis) is located, according to sources. While details are scarce, one source says it is still early days and the government has yet to decide whether to call for a tender, obtain requests for proposals from the interested parties or maybe consider a relocation of existing facilities via a land swap. Another source says some of the developers have already briefed the top brass at Bukit Aman, as the golf course is likely to make way for development. Considering its proximity to the city centre, the gross development value could go into the billions. While many parties are said to be interested, it is understood that several heavyweights are eyeing the land, including Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary’s Tradewinds Corp Bhd; Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun, who controls the diversified Berjaya group of companies; and Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB), which is controlled by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). (The Edge)
KL Chinese medicine halls, sundry stores may sell liquor conditionally
Chinese medicine halls and convenience stores in the city could be allowed to sell liquor if they meet conditions set by relevant agencies, said Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim. The minister said shopkeepers or owners who have met the criteria will be given permission to sell liquor despite the blanket ban on sale in KL early this November. The ban on selling liquor at grocers, convenience stores and Chinese medical halls in Kuala Lumpur was enforced on November 1. While customers can still purchase beer at such premises, they can only be sold from 7am to 9pm. (Malay Mail)
