‘A national digital ID for all’
All Malaysians may soon have a national digital ID, said Communications and Multimedia Minister, Gobind Singh Deo. The ministry is looking to develop this “platform of trust” in cyberspace to eliminate elements of fraud and cheating. “A plan for a national digital ID is being formulated. This digital ID is not meant to replace the MyKad nor would it be mandatory for everyone,” he said. A national digital ID, which is likely to be out by the middle of next year, was meant to provide a “verifiable platform of trust”. With e-commerce poised to become the largest retail channel in the world by 2021, the minister said there was a need for such an ID. The national digital ID project will be a co-operation between his ministry, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). (The Star Online)
China’s CPCG plans to invest RM10bil in Malaysia
China-based Pacific Construction Group Ltd (CPCG) has committed an investment of up to RM10 billion over 10 years in Malaysia in the areas of infrastructure development, high technology machineries, knowledge transfer and education. CPCG has established CPCI Holdings Sdn Bhd (CPCI), its wholly-owned subsidiary in Kuala Lumpur to facilitate the group’s investments in Malaysia and across Asia Pacific, also to serve as its regional technical competency center. CPCG founder Yan Jiehe said Malaysia is business friendly, and one of the most competitive countries in the region. “The country’s fundamentals are strong. You have excellent infrastructure, a robust eco-system and a big pool of trilingual talents. Kuala Lumpur, is thus, a strategic launch pad for our expansion into Asia Pacific,” he said. CPCG, whichis ranked No. 96th in 2018 Fortune Global 500, is the biggest private-owned construction company in the world. (NST Online)
Bumiputera release mechanism needs to be revamped, standardised
The existing mechanism that allows unsold Bumiputera quota housing units to be sold in the open market needs to be revamped and standardised nationwide. Hartabumi.com CEO Radzi Tajuddin said the current system is outdated and lacks transparency, and could lead to manipulation by unscrupulous parties for easy gains. He suggested that the existing regulations be revamped and improved, taking into account current technological developments and the needs of the public. For example, the terms should be updated to require developers to advertise in real estate portals along with Malay newspapers and property expos, as consumers are now more likely to find homes for purchase on the Internet. Radzi also said it is important to standardise the system in every state to make it more transparent. “The current system adopted is different in every state, and even at the local authority (PBT) level, there are additional requirements,” he added. (NST Online)
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KL restaurants allowed to hold Oktoberfest events within own premises
Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur can organise Oktoberfest events if they are held within their premises and they are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, says KL mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan. “It is fine for such events to proceed as long as they don’t break the law and patrons don’t cause a public disturbance or become a nuisance,” he said. A large banner advertising an Oktoberfest event was removed as no licence applications were done. Regarding an Oktoberfest event scheduled to take place at Mid Valley Megamall, Nor Hisham said the event could proceed as it was being held indoors. DBKL rejected an application for the Better Beer Festival 2017 at Publika Shopping Gallery last year, citing security concerns. (The Star Online)
A previous Oktoberfest celebration by Carlsberg in Malaysia (Photo from Malaysian Flavours)
Malaysia, Indonesia inks MoU to resolve bounday issues
Malaysia and Indonesia have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to resolve international boundary issues involving both countries. The MoU was signed during the 42nd Meeting of the Joint Indonesia-Malaysia Boundary Committee held in Bandung. The Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry said that the meeting had also reached mutual understanding and resolved two Outstanding Boundary Problem (OBP) areas, the border areas near the vicinity of Simantipal River and Kampung Long Pasia in Sipitang district in the Sabah – Kalimantan Utara sector. (The Edge Markets)
