Malaysia To Ban Cigarettes For Anyone Born After 2005

Malaysians aged 17 today will not be able to legally buy tobacco next year when they turn 18, or ever in their lifetime.

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 – The government plans to prohibit the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to people born after 2005 in a bid to outlaw smoking for the next generation.

This means that Malaysians who are 17 years old today will not be able to legally buy tobacco next year when they turn 18, the legal age for smoking in Malaysia, or ever in their lifetime.

“We, like some other WPRO (Western Pacific) countries, hope to pass a legislation this year which, if successful, will bring about a generation endgame to smoking by making it illegal for the sale of tobacco and other smoking products to anyone born after 2005,” Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told the 150th sessionof the World Health Organization’s (WHO) executive board meeting in Geneva yesterday.

“Malaysia feels this will have a significant impact in preventing and controlling NCDs (non-communicable diseases).”

More than 27,200 smoking-related deaths in Malaysia are reported annually. Smoking causes diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Khairy previously said he planned to table a new Tobacco and Smoking Control Act in the upcoming Parliament meeting that will not just regulate e-cigarettes and vaping products, but also ban smoking for future generations.

If Parliament approves the tobacco prohibition for anyone born after 2005, this means that the government has less than a year to come up with a mechanism to ensure that cigarettes are not sold to 18-year-old adults in 2023.

Last month, New Zealand announced plans to ban the sale of cigarettes or tobacco products to anyone born after 2008 in a law expected to be enacted this year. New Zealand’s proposal, starting in 2027, will progressively raise the legal smoking age from 18 every year, allowing existing smokers to continue to buy cigarettes but effectively making tobacco products unavailable to everyone born after 2008.

About one in five adults aged 15 years and older in Malaysia smoke, with an estimated 4.9 million current smokers.

Smoking is predominantly a male problem in Malaysia, as about two in five men smoke. Nearly half the male population in every age group light up, except male teens aged 15 to 19 with 24 per cent smoking prevalence.

Cred-codeblue.glancentre

Cannabis still considered a dangerous drug in Malay

Cannabis still considered a dangerous drug in Malaysia 

PUTRAJAYA: The status of cannabis as a dangerous drug in Malaysia remains unchanged despite the United Nations’ recent decision to reclassify the substance, says Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (pic).

The Home Minister said cannabis and cannabis-related substances would still be classified as a controlled item under the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries the death penalty.

The recent decision by the Convention on Narcotic Drugs does not affect the status of cannabis in the country.

“Cannabis and cannabis-related substances remain regulated under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

“Anyone found guilty of breaking the law will be punished accordingly, ” he said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the UN had voted to remove cannabis from a list that categorised it as one of the world’s most dangerous drugs.

The move came following the recommendation by the World Health Organisation that research into its medical use was made easier.

Hamzah said the reclassification did not mean control on cannabis was loosened at international level.

“Internationally, cannabis is still tightly controlled under Schedule 1 of the 1961 Convention.

“As a member of three UN conventions on drugs – the 1961 Convention, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and the Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance 1988 – Malaysia remains committed to eradicating drug-related crimes domestically and internationally, ” he said.

Cred-thestar

Ministry seizes counterfeit eyewear, caps worth RM1.5m in Kuala Lumpur

Ministry seizes counterfeit eyewear, caps worth RM1.5m in Kuala Lumpur

Enforcement officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs inspect counterfeit goods in Kuala Lumpur, December 3, 2020. 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 — The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) in Kuala Lumpur seized 36,722 units of counterfeit eyewear and caps of various brands estimated to be worth RM1.5 million in a raid on two premises in Chow Kit, today.

Kuala Lumpur KPDNHEP director Ariffin Samsudin said the raid was carried out following a report lodged by the trademark owner’s representative.

He said an inspection was carried out at a wholesale centre in Lorong Haji Taib which was found to have eyewear and caps suspected of using fake trademarks of well-known brands.

“Upon questioning the caretaker of the premises, the police were led to a premise in Jalan Raja Laut used to store the goods before they were sold,” he told Bernama today.

He said the goods were sold online or via wholesale to customers nationwide.

Commenting further, Ariffin said 45 cases had been recorded under the Trademark Act 2019 in Kuala Lumpur to date this year, with RM4.8 million in goods seized.

“KPDNHEP warns the public not to break the law, especially with regards to the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods,” he said.

Cred-malaymail 

Lifeline for entertainment businesses in Kuala Lumpur

Lee (third from right) presenting the association’s recommendations to Mahadi after the Nov 26 meeting. Looking on are (from left) DBKL Licensing and Business Development Dept director Khairul Anuar, David, Chong, Bedi and Lim.

THE lights will come back on again at nightspots in Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has given a lifeline to bistro, bar and nightclub operators who reported zero business since the movement control order was implemented in March.

They, however, have to observe guidelines set by the National Security Council (MKN).

DBKL is allowing nightlife operators to get creative in their operations as long as they do not contravene MKN’s guidelines.

The Restaurant and Bistro Owners Association committee met with Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah on Nov 26 to discuss the plight of members.

Those present were the association’s media liaison Jeremy Lim, president William Lee, vice-president Benny Bedi, legal advisor Datuk David Gurupatham and public relations and media advisor Datuk Seri Michael Chong.

The association has been asked to advise members to get their entertainment licence, and those that have not been operating since March 18 to submit the necessary documentation so they can operate again.

Lim told StarMetro that Mahadi asked members to submit their applications to change their business model during the interim period, in a move to save their business. Mahadi told StarMetro,

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses have been impacted and many have had to rethink their business models.

“We at DBKL are keen to do our part to assist businesses in need to explore their options in order to resuscitate their business so that the economy of Kuala Lumpur may thrive.

“To this end, once business proprietors such as nightclub owners submit their plans to DBKL for new proposed business activities, we will evaluate these proposals accordingly.” Lim said that at the meeting with Mahadi, the association had requested DBKL to allow its members to apply for an additional operations licence and to operate as a non-entertainment premises without jeopardising their existing entertainment licence status.

Giving an example, Lim said a dance club owner could now apply to convert the place into a restaurant or cafe serving food, minus entertainment which meant no live music and deejay.

He said the change of use provided clarity to affected business owners since the beginning of the MCO.

“We also brought up the point that some premises like a dance club might not have space or speciality needed to operate an eatery, but to be allowed to use the services of a central or cloud kitchen. We are happy that the mayor was agreeable to this, ’’ he added.

The association emphasised that the change of use should not be limited to conversions into a restaurant or cafe and that business owners should have the flexibility to convert the premises to any use.

“DBKL agrees to these as long as the new business is not prohibited by the rules set by the government, ’’ said Lim.

He said the association was asked to send in its request for consolidation.

Also discussed in the meeting with the mayor was the operating hours of these businesses.

“We asked for clarification on the recent extended operational hours (until midnight).

“We explained that businesses needed additional time to do the necessary closing for the day.

“The mayor assured us that as long as there was no service of customers after the allowed time, owners could take their time to conclude operations for the day, ’’ said Lim.

During the meeting, DBKL clarified that background or piped-in music during the operations was permitted as long as the volume was at a reasonable level. No live music and dancing will be allowed.

Lim also requested DBKL to waive assessment tax for landlords who rented their premises to the affected operators, with the hope that savings could be converted to rental rebates.

Chong expressed gratitude towards Mahadi adding that the mayor understood the plight of the operators and wanted to help them.

“He empathised with the businesses that were struggling to survive and wanted to make things right for them, ” he added.

The association is calling for operators with entertainment licences to contact it for details, at www.facebook.com/PPRB2020 or email pprb2020@gmail.com.

cred~thestar

Smoking ban but straw ban not taking off

KUALA LUMPUR: While many eatery owners are taking the smoking ban seriously, adherence to the plastic straw ban is still lacking in many food outlets.

Checks by The Star at several locations in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya found that restaurants and eateries have their no-smoking signs displayed prominently.

No smokers were found puffing away near the eateries and no ashtrays were found on the restaurant tables.

A man who worked in an economy rice shop said his manager had told him not to smoke near the restaurant.

“He made sure that I lit up a distance away, ” he said.

It was a different story when it came to straws.

Many patrons at the food outlets were seen to be still using straws when enjoying their beverages.

A woman who worked in a hawker centre said while there had been no smokers there, people’s attitude towards the plastic straw ban had not yet changed.

She related how a customer had once even used up multiple straws just for his one drink.

“I personally support protecting the environment – ever since the 1990s.

“I have cut down on the use of straws and plastic bags.

“However, it’s hard for us when the customers still expect straws. Some people’s mindsets are still fixed, ” she said.

Another man who owned a restaurant brought up the issue of the cost of switching to paper straws.

“A paper straw would cost me nine sen each whereas a plastic straw would only cost me one to two sen each.

“We as restaurant owners are trying to cut down our use of plastic but it will take some time to adjust, ” he said.

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said the smoking ban was a welcome move as the restaurants’ environment would be friendlier for families and children.

He said when the ban was first introduced last year, business at eateries had suffered initially.

He, however, said that there were still errant smokers who flouted the law by smoking in the restrooms of the restaurants.

“We put up no-smoking stickers at the toilets but a few of them still do it – so we don’t know how to handle that sometimes, ” he added.

Cred-thestar

Christmas-decorated trains started running on the North East and Downtown Lines on Dec 9, 2019.PHOTO: LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY

Christmas-decorated trains started running on the North East and Downtown Lines on Dec 9, 2019.PHOTO: LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY

SINGAPORE - Christmas decorations will be brightening up trains and buses over the next few weeks.

The festive season theme - Tropical Beach Christmas - will involve a colourful blend of tropical elements mixed with the usual Christmas decorations so watch out for sandy snowmen, starfish, palm trees and transport-themed ornaments.

Christmas-decorated trains started running on the North East and Downtown Lines on Monday (Dec 9) with more to come on Dec 16 on the North South, East West and Circle MRT lines

Bus services 5, 7, 14, 61, 65, 197, 857, 972 as well as some MRT stations, including the Dhoby Ghaut North East Line station concourse and Dhoby Ghaut Circle Line platform, will also be decorated.

Commuters can also expect murals at Bugis, Bukit Panjang and Newton stations.

The Land Transport Authority said in a statement on Tuesday that the aim of the decorations was to "liven up the commuting experience during festive seasons, and foster positive commuter culture".

Cred- straitimes

OFFICIAL PRESENTATION OF SPELLS OF IRRESISTIBLE ALLURE AND THE UNVEILING OF D'MAJESTIC RANGE OF FRAGRANCES

OFFICIAL PRESENTATION OF SPELLS OF IRRESISTIBLE ALLURE AND THE UNVEILING OF D'MAJESTIC RANGE OF FRAGRANCES

Sunday, 3rd November 2019, the ever-bustling city of Kuala Lumpur stood still for one of Nigeria’s finest writers and entrepreneur, King Evans. It was the official presentation of his book, 'spells of irresistible allure' and the unveiling of a new range of fragrances from his company, ‘d'majestic fragrances’ in an event that was said to be ‘An exercise in ‘mixology’.

The event which took place at the Double-tree BY Hilton Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, which is situated at the heart of the city attracted the major players in academia, entertainment, business and major movers in the society.

Nigeria’s ambassador to Malaysia, Ambassador Nurudeen Mohammed was on hand to represent the Nigerian government in this very auspicious occasion.

There were representatives from the New Zealand embassy and other countries. The host country of Malaysia was not left out as they were ably represented by people from the education ministry.

The speakers on the launch; Professor Dr Patrick N.Okechukwu, Barrister M.tharuma Ratnam, and Pastor Paul Mandor Bassey (MITG), highlighted their views on the book and why they recommend that everyone should grab a copy because of the inherent lessons and knowledge to be learned from the book which story-line is such a thrilling, moving and motivating one. They also encouraged Nigerians to become innovative and move up beyond their comfort zones.

In his remark, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Ambassador Nurudeen Mohammed, after unveiling the products, called all Nigerians to emulate King Evans in thinking out of the box. He said he was delighted to grace the occasion, hinting that such is the news he wants to hear about Nigerians living in that country. He also informed Nigerians living in Malaysia that the embassy is ready and willing to support all Nigerians who are making positive impacts in that region. He encouraged King Evans and pledged the support of the consulate.

The chairman of the occasion, Chief Francis Njoku admonished all Nigerians to live up to their billings by being good ambassadors of the country where they came from and desist from everything that gives Nigeria a bad name . he thanked King Evans for standing out and being a good representative of Nigeria in Malaysia.

He spent his time researching each of them and knew what their personal habits were. He charts them in this book. He outlines what works. If you want a quick, easy read, If, however, you are willing to take your time, plot your coarse and take full guidance from Evans himself, then use this as a guide and develop your own Mastermind Group and thrive.

The chief host, King Evans was delighted to have people from all works of life converge to witness that epoch-making event and thanked God for making it a huge success.

King Evans who has been described as an intellectual introvert has been a scriptwriter, song writer, film producer and an innovative entrepreneur with awesome leadership skills.

Eating sago worms

Fancy a meal that wriggles in your mouth?

KOTA KINABALU: Eating sago worms for the first time can be a nightmarish experience, but many quickly acquire a taste for them.

Whether served alive, stir-fried, cooked in soya gravy or drowned in a bowl of hot congee on a cold day, the larva of the sago palm weevil has come a long way since its debut in the Pulau Tiga Survivor Island game show in 2000.

This wriggly worm, known to locals as “butod”, has become a commercial hit and is one of Sabah’s tourism food brands.

Butod has been popularised by the Sabah Tourism Board as an ingredient in dishes for those looking for adventure in exotic food. They are also used in team building challenges such as in eating them raw.

Sago worms, which can grow to the size of the human thumb, can be found in sago trees, many of which grow in the Papar, Penampang and Kuala Penyu districts.

Butod is said to be high in protein and fat. When eaten, its chewy skin bursts to release a creamy texture.

A Penampang resident, Terence Dolinting, said rapid development in his district had greatly reduced the number of sago trees.

“Butod used to be sold cheaply,” he said, “but I recently bought a worm for RM2.”

He said some restaurants selling authentic Sabah food in Kota Kinabalu were of late finding it hard to get their supplies.

However, Quinie Chin, who works at a Kota Kinabalu restaurant that serves butod as one its highlights, said she had no problems with supplies because she could depend on a number of suppliers.

“The only trouble is that I get less during the rainy season and the price tends to fluctuate. If a supplier raises his price, I will usually source them from other suppliers to keep the cost down.”

She said her restaurant usually needs about 500 sago worms a month for sushi, pizzas and salads.

She agreed with those who would consider food served with butod as bizarre, but said the worms were a hit with many of her patrons, including tourists. “We see them daring each other to eat the live worm.”

Cred- freemalaysiatoday

Lower threshold for foreigners only for existing unsold condo units

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng says the proposal was made to reduce the supply overhang in condominiums and apartments, amounting to RM8.3 billion in the second quarter of 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: The move to lower the threshold for foreigners to buy condominiums and apartments in urban areas from RM1 million to RM600,000 is only applicable to existing unsold units, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng clarified today.

He said this measure, announced in the 2020 Budget, effective from Jan 1 to Dec 31 next year, does not cover new projects that have yet to be launched.

“Existing units that have not been sold are the residential units that do not interest local buyers.

“Hence the relaxation in the price threshold for condominiums and apartments. This will not deprive the rights of local buyers,” he said in a statement today

Lim said the move is expected to benefit the property sector without being detrimental to the interests of Malaysians.

“Local buyers who wish to buy are not being denied their rights. They can buy now so these units will not remain unsold,” he added.

Lim explained that the proposal was made to reduce the supply overhang in condominiums and apartments, amounting to RM8.3 billion in the second quarter of 2019.

“If these units can be sold, it will have a direct effect on the country’s economy,” he said.

Lim added that the finance ministry will monitor continuously the implementation of the measure to ensure it achieves its objective

 In LANGKAWI, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said the decision to lower the price threshold was meant to reduce the supply overhang and did not mean that foreigners who bought such properties would be given Malaysian citizenship.

“If the locals want to buy the properties, they can buy it at the same price. We have built so many houses, but they were not sold. When a housing project is not sold, it causes the country to suffer losses.

“We want to get rid of this property overhang … This is a way to encourage sales.

“But if foreigners buy these properties, we will not give them Malaysian citizenship. They can only use them as their holiday homes,” Mahathir, who is also Langkawi MP, told a press conference after attending a briefing on Langkawi’s development here.

List out those condos for foreigners, says Johari

Putrajaya has proposed lowering the threshold for foreigners to buy existing unsold condominium units to RM600,000.

PETALING JAYA: Former second finance minister Johari Abdul Ghani has called for a public list of condominiums that are eligible for foreigners to buy, after the government proposed lowering the threshold for foreigners to buy property to RM600,000.

He said the list of properties that are priced at RM600,000 and above should be made public immediately.

“The location, the number of units, all these information must be made transparent”, he said.

He warned that some developers could abuse the system by raising prices of current property from rm500,000 to rm600,000 to sell to foreigners

However, Johari said he felt the government should not have intervened in the property market.

“Those units were built by developers for the higher-end market. The developers knew what they were going in for.”

He said the government should instead look at rescuing developers who built affordable homes.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng proposed lowering the threshold for foreigners to buy property to RM600,000 when tabling the 2020 Budget last week.

Lim had since said the reduced price would apply only for a year for existing unsold condominium apartments and would not cover new projects.

Meanwhile, Johari said he hoped Putrajaya would also review the proposal to give an allowance for two years to unemployed graduates. He said they should be given cash, to encourage spending and stimulate the economy, instead of the money being credited to their retirement accounts with the Employees Provident Fund.

Freemalaysia

Indonesian 'Belt and Road' high-speed rail link expects US$18b from satellite towns

Indonesian 'Belt and Road' high-speed rail link expects US$18b from satellite town

The Indonesian-Chinese consortium building a high-speed rail link between the capital Jakarta and the textiles hub of Bandung expects to earn $18 billion developing satellite towns and industrial centres along the line.


JAKARTA: The Indonesian-Chinese consortium building a high-speed rail link between the capital Jakarta and the textiles hub of Bandung expects to earn $18 billion developing satellite towns and industrial centres along the line, a company official said.

The rail project, part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to connect China with Asia, Europe and beyond was described last month by China's ambassador to Indonesia, Xiao Qian, as "the first high-speed rail of Southeast Asia".

After nearly three years of delays over land ownership disputes, construction on the rail line, which is financed principally by a $4.5 billion loan from China's Development Bank, finally kicked into gear in 2018.

The chief executive of Wijaya Kayra (WIKA), which heads the Indonesian side of what is the most high-profile of several Belt and Road projects in Indonesia, said that the state-owned construction firm expects to book 266 trillion rupiah ($18.7 billion) from four transit-related developments by 2070.

The Indonesian side, which also includes state rail company KAI, owns 60 percent while the Chinese, led by the China Railway Engineering Corporation, holds the rest.

WIKA CEO Tumiyana - who uses only one name - said that 15 percent of the line has been completed, with 60 percent to be finished by the end of 2019.

Analysts say the plan to develop four new towns and industrial centres mimics China's own approach to high-speed rail development.

"This seems like it's copying the general model of China's urban development - if you build it, they will come," said Nick Marro, a China analyst at the Economic Intelligence Unit.

One of the sites previously visited by Reuters on an old tea plantation is due to be transformed into a sleek 5,000 hectare city with high-rise blocks and the campus of a new university.

Indonesian and Chinese officials say the project's success will be a gauge for future infrastructure cooperation.

A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously told Reuters "it's a major project for the mutual benefit and cooperation between China and Indonesia and helps promote local economic and social development".

Indonesian vice-president Yusuf Kalla recently headed a delegation to China's BRI forum, where it pitched to Chinese companies for up to $91 billion of infrastructure projects.

Jakarta insists on a business-to-business structure for all potential BRI deals instead of China's traditional government-to-government loan format, which has limited the amount of overall projects. - Reuters




Cred- thestar

Report: Malaysia, China to sign ECRL agreement tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11A man looks at a map of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) during a ground-breaking ceremony in Tunjong, Kota Baru, April 11, 2018. 

 — The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) may finally see the light of day as a news report today claimed Malaysia and China will be signing an agreement on the project in Beijing tomorrow.

Sin Chew Daily cited a source in the Malaysian negotiation team who said the prime minister’s special envoy to China, Tun Daim Zainuddin, had arrived in Beijing and was negotiating the final details

The daily added that Daim will hold a press conference at the Malaysian Embassy at 2pm where he is expected to announce the outcome of his negotiations.

On Monday, Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali had said that it was hoped that the negotiations would conclude before Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad leaves for China for the Belt and Road Forum, which starts on April 26.

The Pakatan Harapan government suspended the 688km ECRL when it ousted Barisan Nasional in the general election last year due to its high cost.

Dr Mahathir, who had said that the project would leave the country indebted for an entire generation, last month said it could continue only if the price is right.

Last Friday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng raised expectations that the negotiations were going well when he hinted that the alignment of the rail line would be rerouted to benefit Negri Sembilan.

He had also said the project would go on if the cost of construction could be reduced from RM66 billion to RM35 billion.

Cred-malaymail