US President-elect Joe Biden has announced he will form a task force of scientists and experts to bring COVID-19 under control in the United States.
US President-elect Joe Biden vowed to heal and unite the US, a process that will begin with naming a group of scientists and experts as transition advisers on Monday to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, in a speech at a rally in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.
The COVID-19 task force plan will be built on bedrock science, and be constructed out of compassion, empathy, and concern, Biden said as he declared victory Saturday night at the rally.
"I will spare no effort, none, or any commitment to turn around this pandemic."
"Our work begins with getting COVID under control. We cannot repair our economy, restore our vitality or relish life's most precious moments... until we get it (coronavirus) under control," Biden said.
The President-elect said, "On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisors to help take the Biden-Harris plan and convert it into an actual blueprint that will start on January 20, 2021."
The US President-elect said he wanted to provide "some comfort and solace" to the families of the 230,000 Americans who had died from COVID-19. In his speech, Biden also thanked local elected officials and volunteers who worked the polls in the middle of the pandemic.
The US has been hit hard by the pandemic, which has infected over 9 million and killed more than 236,000 Americans.
Biden also vowed to "restore the soul of America" and "rebuild the backbone" of the US. "Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end here and now," Biden said.
The US President-elect pledged to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify. Addressing those who voted for President Trump, Biden said he understood their disappointment. "But now, let's give each other a chance," he said.
The former vice president said it was time to listen to each other again, and to make progress.
Maintaining social unity has become an increasingly
arduous and sensitive task. Obviously, the US needs political reforms
more than many other countries to enhance its ability to promote unity.
PETALING JAYA: The government has announced a month-long conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Melaka, Johor and Terengganu from Monday due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the states.
The CMCO will end on Dec 6.
“It will be for all states in Peninsular Malaysia, except for Perlis, Pahang and Kelantan,” said Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob at a press conference today.
“The implementation of the CMCO is to allow the health ministry to conduct targeted screenings and to decrease movement in the community, in addition to curbing the spread of Covid-19 in these states.”
The rules under the CMCO are as follows:
inter-state and inter-district travel is prohibited, except for emergency cases, in which case a travel permit by the police is required and all workers must either show their employee pass or a letter from their companies;
only two members of a household may leave the house to buy necessities;
all schools, higher education institutions, training institutes, kindergartens, childcare centres, public parks and recreational centres will be closed;
activities in the economic, industrial and trade sectors would be allowed to operate as usual;
all forms of public transport, such as buses, taxis and e-hailing services, with a maximum of two passengers, are allowed to operate from 6am to midnight;
daily markets are allowed to open from 6am to 2pm, while wholesale markets may operate from 4am to 2pm, and night markets from 4pm to 10pm;
petrol stations may operate from 6am to 10pm but those located along highways may operate 24 hours;
clinics and public hospitals will be allowed to open for 24 hours while pharmacies and medicine stores may operate from 8am to 11pm;
fishing, farming and the agriculture sectors may operate as usual; and;
all social gatherings, including weddings, and entertainment activities, are not allowed.
Ismail also said all religious activities in mosques will be decided by the state religious authorities, adding that further details may be found on the National Security Council’s (MKN) website.
Meanwhile, Ismail announced that the Maahad Al-Yahyawiah government-aided religious school in Padang Rengas, Kuala Kangsar, Perak, will be placed under the enhanced MCO from tomorrow until Nov 21.
He said the decision was made after 27 positive cases were detected in the area on Nov 5.
He added that the health ministry would continue conducting targeted screenings on a total of 123 students and 11 staff members at the school.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST DATA ON THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN MALAYSIA
PETALING JAYA: Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz is presenting Budget 2021 in the Dewan Rakyat, the first under Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.
Budget 2021 is widely expected to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest federal budget to date, as it contains many measures to help ordinary Malaysians and to stimulate economic recovery in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Follow the developments below:
Updating...
Special finance aid for civil servants
The government announced a special finance aid worth RM600 for civil servants grade 56 and below. For pensioners and veterans with no pension, a special financial aid of RM300 will be given. Both aids will be paid out early 2021.
Vapourising vaping
Excise duty at an ad valorem rate of 10% on all types of electronic cigarette devices and non-electronic devices, including vaping products.
Electronic cigarette liquids will also be subjected to an excise duty at a rate of RM0.40 per millimetre.
More savings for households
SAVE 2.0 programme will be introduced, where an e-Rebate of RM200 for a household purchasing a locally made air-conditioning unit or refrigerator. RM30mil has been allocated for the programme, and it would benefit 140,000 households.
Duty-free doom for ciggies
Beginning January 2021, no more new cigarette import licences will be issued. Such licence renewals will also be tightened and the conditions revised, including imposing import quotas.
The transhipment of cigarette exports will be limited to selected ports. Taxes will be imposed on drawbacks on all imported cigarettes for the purpose of transhipment and re-export.
The government will also not allow transhipment activities and re-exports of cigarettes using pump boats.
Taxes will also be imposed on cigarettes and tobacco products at all duty-free islands.
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Towards cleaner rivers
RM50mil will be allocated to tackle rubbish and solid waste in rivers,
Education Ministry gets biggest allocation
The Education Ministry will receive the biggest allocation with RM50.4bil or 15.6% of the total budget.
Task force beefed to battle smuggling
The Multi-Agency Task Force will be empowered with the inclusion of the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and National Anti-Financial Crime Centre to battle smuggling of high duty items.
When the levy breaks
To help reduce the cashflow burden of still-affected companies, a Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) levy exemption will be given for six months effective Jan 1, 2021. This exemption will cover the tourism sector and companies affected by Covid-19.
Indigenous inspiration
To ensure the wellbeing of the Orang Asli community, RM158mil has been allocated.
This will be channelled to social assistance and development programmes.
A total of RM5mil has been allocated for surveying work to mark the borders of 21 villages.
Another RM41mil has been allocated for a Native Customary Rights programme in Sabah and Sarawak.
Assistance for contractors
RM2.5bil will be allocated to Class G1 to G4 contractors to carry out small and medium projects nationwide. This will include RM200mil for Federal road maintenance and RM50mil for the maintenance of People's Housing Program housing units.
Special grant for Sabah traders
The government has heard about the plight of the traders and hawkers in Sabah who were greatly affected from the reduced presence of tourists. Thus, an additional Prihatin Special Grant (GKP) of RM1,000 will be given to traders and hawkers in Sabah. This special grant will also be given to taxi drivers, e-hailing drivers, car rentals and tourist guides in Sabah.
Equity crowdfunding boost
To encourage more individual investors to participate in equity crowdfunding (ECF) platforms, an income tax exemption of 50% from the invested amount or limited to RM50,000 will be given.
RM30mil is allocated to a matching grant that will be invested into ECF platforms under the supervision of the Securities Commission.
Preparing for tourists
To ensure the readiness of tourist hotspots, RM50mil is prepared for the maintenance and repairs of tourism facilities all over the country. RM20mil has also been allocated for improving the infrastructure and spurring the promotion of Cultural Villages in Terengganu, Melaka, Sarawak and Negeri Sembilan.
Healthcare help
RM35mil allocated to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council to increase competitiveness in the local health tourism sector.
The government will also extend the tax exemption for private healthcare service exports until 2022.
Micro credit financing
Micro credit financing of almost RM1.2bil will be made available through Tekun, PUNB, Agrobank, BSN and other financial institutions. This includes an additional RM110mil to the Micro Enterprises Facility under Bank Negara to encourage entrepreneurship activities among gig workers and those who are self-employed as well as to support the iTekad implementation programme.
Preserving heritage buildings
RM10mil will be allocated to ensure heritage buildings such as Bangunan Sultan Abdul Saad and Carcosa Seri Negara will be maintained and become tourism icons.
More child care centres at government buildings
To improve the support system for frontliners and working parents, RM30mil has been allocated for the setting up of child care centres at government buildings, especially hospitals. Another Rm20mil has been in grants will be allocated to the private sector to encourage them to set up similar centres.
Locals and Orang Asli as tourist guides
Employment opportunities will be provided to 500 people from the local community and the Orang Asli as tourist guides at all national parks to spur the ecotourism segment.
Help for airline staff
The government recognises that the tourism industry, especially airline companies, are among the most affected sectors. Thus, the government will provide training programs and relocations for 8,000 staff from airline companies in Malaysia, with an allocation of RM50mil.
Boost for palm oil sector
The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme will be continued with RM20mil to boost the growth of the country's palm oil sector. A matching grant of RM30mil to encourage investments will be introduced.
Social support centre for women
To combat the issue of domestic violence, the government will set up a social support centre with an allocation of RM21mil. With the help of NGOs, the centre will provide social and moral support for women, especially those facing domestic violence and divorce.
Promoting Malaysian-made goods
RM35mil will be allocated to promote Malaysian-made goods and services under the trade and investment mission.
Supporting the production of local products
The National Development Scheme (NDS) worth RM1.4bil will be allocated to support the implementation of domestic supply chain development and increase the production of local products such as medical equipment.
Safety net
RM24mil has been allocated for a Socso disaster scheme that is expected to benefit 100,000 workers, including delivery drivers and contractual civil service workers.
Contribution to battle Covid-19
Four glove manufacturers - Top Glove, Hartalega, Supermax and Kossan have committed to contribute RM400mil to battle Covid-19, including bearing the cost of the Covid-19 vaccine and health equipment.
<Encouraging high tech and innovative sector Encouraging high tech and innovative sector
RM500mil High Technology Fund will be provided by Bank Negara to support high tech and innovative sector companies.
EPF withdrawal for insurance purchase
The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will allow its members to withdraw from their Account 2 to purchase insurance products for themselves and their family members. The Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) tax relief of RM3000 a year has been extended until 2025.
RM1bil will be provided as a technology and high value investment incentive package.
Allocation for Defence Ministry and Home Ministry
The Defence Ministry and the Home Ministry will be allocated RM16bil and RM17bil, respectively.
Improving cyber security safety
RM27mil will be allocated to CyberSecurity Malaysia to improve the cyber security safety of the country.
Laptops for online classes
To ensure students at higher learning institutions (IPT) on PTPTN loans are able to follow online classes, the government will work with BSN to ready RM100mil to finance Skim BSN MyRInggit-i COMSIS, a laptop computer loan scheme.
Unlimited pass, and beyond!
The My30 Unlimited Travel Pass initiative will be continued and further implemented in Penang and Kuantan with an overall allocation of RM300mil.
An unlimited monthly travel pass at RM5 will be introduced to students from Year One to Form Six, as well as disabled students.
Tax relief for parents saving for their children's future
To encourage parents to save for the costs of their children’s higher education fees, a tax relief of up to RM8.000 for National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) net savings will be implemented until assessment year 2022.
Tourism aid
The wage subsidy programme will be extended for another three months, in a targeted manner especially for those in the tourism sector. Altogether, RM1.5bil has been allocated, with an estimated 70,000 employers and 900,000 workers expected to benefit.
Creating jobs
A short-term employment programme MyStep with an allocation of RM700mil will offer 50,000 contractual job opportunities in the civil service and government linked companies (GLCs) from January 2021.
Under this initiative, 35,000 jobs in the civil service will be offered, with a priority given to vacancies such as nurses and medical attendants. The GLCs will provide 15,000 jobs with a priority on technical and financial fields.
Better infrastructure in public universities
Some RM14.4bil will be allocated to the Higher Education Ministry. This would include RM50mil to repair infrastructure and old equipment in public universities.
Stamp duty exemption for first home owners
Full stamp duty exemption will be given to transfer of ownership document and loan agreement for the purchase of a first home worth not more than RM500,000. This exemption will be for the purchase agreement from January 2021 to Dec 31, 2025.
Stable internet connection in universities
To ensure stable internet connection in tertiary education institutions, the government has allocated RM50mil to upgrade the Malaysian Research and Education Network (MYREN) access from 500Mbps to 10Gbps.
Free laptops for students
In the new normal, online learning has become an everyday practice. GLCs and GLICs will contribute RM150mil to Tabung Cerdik to give laptops to 150,000 students at 500 schools in a pilot project. The project will be overseen by Yayasan Hasanah.
A healthier, fitter you (with apologies to Radiohead)
The government allocates RM19mil to implement the Healthy Malaysia National Agenda (Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat) to encourage a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of of diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
As much as RM28mil will be allocated to carry out programmes like MyFit, Hari Sukan Negara and the Inspire programme for the disabled.
Higher lifestyle tax relief
The limit of the ‘lifestyle tax relief’ has been raised from RM2,500 to RM3,000, which is an increase of RM500 specifically for sports-related expenditure, including entrance participation fees for sports competitions. The scope of the relief has also been expanded to include subscription to electronic newspapers.
Assistance for rubber smallholders
To help rubber smallholders, the rubber production incentive will be increased from RM150mil to RM300mil, with an expected 150,000 smallholders to benefit from this. Another RM1.7bil will be allocated in forms of subsidies, assistance, and incentives for farmers and fishermen.
RM50 e-wallet credit for the youth
The government through the eYouth Programme (Program eBelia) will credit a one-off RM50 to e-wallet accounts of those aged between 18 and 20 years old. With the allocation of RM75mil, the initiative will benefit some 1.5mil youths.
Community centres for childcare
Community centres will be provided as a place of care for children after their school session ends.
Early childhood education programmes
RM170mil will be allocated for the early childhood education programmes by the Community Development Department (Kemas).
Tax deduction for employers of senior citizens
Additional tax deductions will be given to employers who employ senior citizens. This tax deduction will be extended until 2025.
RM2.7 billion is allocated for the improvement of rural infrastructure.
Appreciation for artists
RM15mil will be allocated to the Cultural Economy Development Agency (Cendana) for the implementation of various art and cultural programmes that will benefit more than 5000 artists and those who work behind the scenes.
Community programmes
For the Chinese community: RM177mil will be provided for the improvement of education facilities, housing and new village development.
For the Indian community: RM100mil be allocated to the Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA) to empower the socioeconomic status of the Indian community.
PenjanaKerjaya
Under the recruitment of workers under Social Security Organisation (Socso) known as the PenjanaKerjaya:
Incentives for workers earning RM1500 and above will be increased from a rate of RM800 a month, to 40% from of its monthly salary, limited to an incentive of RM4000 a month.
Employers will be given an additional incentive of 20% to encourage job opportunities for people with disabilities, those who are unemployed long-term and workers who have been terminated.
For sectors with high reliance on foreign workers such as those in construction and plantation sector, a special incentive of 60% of the monthly salary will be provided with 40% channeled directly to employers and 20% to local workers to replace the foreign workers.
These incentive will be given for a period of six months.
Those hired under the PenjanaKerjaya, the maximum cost of the training programme that can be claimed by employers will be raised from RM4000 to RM7000 to undergo the a high-skilled programme or a professional certificate programme.
Optomising the value of Malay reserve land
RM750mil will be allocated to Pelaburan Hartanah Berhad (PHB) under the 12th Malaysian Plan to increase the value of Bumiputra reserve land.
Lower EPF contributions
The EPF contribution rate for workers will be reduced from 11% to 9% starting January 2021, for 12 months, worth a total of RM9.3bil.
Reskilling and upskilling programmes
RM1 billion will be allocated for upskilling and reskilling programme involving 200,000 people.
LOWER TAXES … for some
The income tax of those earning between RM50,001 and RM70,000 will be lowered by one percentage point, expected to benefit 1.4 million taxpayers.
For a period of two assessment years, the income tax exemption limit for compensation paid upon job loss will be increased from RM10,000 to RM20,000 for every year of service completed.
Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR)
The Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) assistance package will be changed to Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) with better assistance.
1) Those with a household income of less than RM2500, and with a child will receive RM1200, while those with two children or more will receive RM1800.
2) Those with a household income of between RM2501 and RM4000, and with one child will receive RM800, while those with two children or more will receive RM1200.
3) Those with a household income of between RM4000 and RM5001, and with one child will receive RM500, while those with two children or more will receive RM750.
4) Single individuals with an income of less than Rm2500 will receive RM350.
The BPR is expected to benefit 8.1mil people with an allocation of Rm6.5bil.
Welfare assistance for the disabled
To assist the disabled (OKU), the government has agreed to increase the monthly welfare assistance for the group which includes;
1. Non-working OKU allowance increased from RM250 to RM300;
2. Assistance for senior citizens as well as OKU and chronic patients increased from RM350 to RM500;
3. Allowance for OKU workers increased from RM400 to RM450;
4. Assistance for children from poor families to be increased. An increase of RM100 to RM150 per child between the age of seven and 18 years, and up to RM450 per family, or an increase to RM200 for a child aged six and below per family to a maximum of RM1,000 per family.
EPF withdrawal
In a much awaited-move, the government has announced the targeted facility to withdraw EPF savings from Account 1, as much as RM500 per month, amounting up to RM6,,000 for 12 months.
This withdrawal is to assist EPF members who have lost their jobs, and is expected to lighten the financial burden of 600,000 affected members.
Taking into account both the i-Lestari initiative as well as the Account 1 withdrawal facility, the total of cash withdrawal is up to RM12,000.
It is projected that the total payment for Account 1 withdrawals will involve RM4bil.
Eligible members can apply starting January 2021.
Life and health
The government will expand mySalam protection for medical device cost claims such as stents for the heart, or prostheses.
The government also intends to expand social protections for the B40 group through a voucher programme for life insurance.
Each B40 recipient will be given RM50 vouchers as financial assistance for products such as takaful and personal accident insurance.
At the same time, the government will also extend the period of stamp duty exemption on all life insurance products, not exceeding RM100, for another five years until the 2025 assessment year.
BPN2.0 second phase payments in 2021
The BPN was introduced to reduce cash flow burdens for the rakyat who are affected in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2020, BPN and the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) involved the channelling of RM21bil to 10.6 million recipients. In January 2021, the BPN2.0 second phase payments amounting RM2.2bil will be channelled out.
Pneumococcal immunisation programme
A pneumococcal immunisation programme will be implemented for children with an allocation of RM90mil which is expected to benefit 500,000 children.
#KitaJagaKita
The Finance Minister says he is touched with the #KitaJagaKita spirit among Malaysians, and recalls the story of Bertam-born Rosnizam Ishak, who started a marinated lamb business using Bantuan Prihatin Nasional, creating job opportunities for those in the vicinity.
He also cites the example of Pajan Singh Kirpal Singh, who provided free accommodation for frontliners posted to Kuantan during the movement control order and recovery movement control order period, and Michelle Kugan, a crystal and pearl entrepreneur who used micro loans under the National Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund (Tekun) to sustain her business in Tuaran, Sabah.
Thus, Budget 2021 is crafted for Malaysians and themed “Teguh Kita, Menang Bersama”.
Pro-vaxxers
To encourage Malaysians to get preventive vaccinations to curb the spread of diseases, the government will expand the scope of tax exemption for the medical treatment covering vaccination expenses such as pneumococcal, influenza and Covid-19.
Tax exemption will be given for the vaccination costs for self, spouses and children limited to RM1,000.
Tax relief
The government will raise the tax relief limit on personal, spouse and child medical treatment for serious illnesses from RM6,000 to RM8,000. In addition, the tax relief for a full health screening will be increased from RM500 to RM1,000.
The tax relief on expenses for medical treatment, special needs and parental care has also been raised from RM5,000 to RM8,000.
Big budget
Govt allocates RM322.5bil, or 20.6% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), for Budget 2021. This is an increase from its total expenditure allocation for 2020, which has been revised upwards to RM314.7bil from the initial budget estimate of RM297bil.
Every individual in B40 group will receive a special voucher worth RM50 to buy takaful hayat and personal accident insurance.
An allocation of RM24mil is provided to address mental health issues by strengthening Mental Health, Terrorism and Injury Prevention Program as well as Substance Abuse.
The maximum tax relief for individual, spouse and children's medical expenses for serious medical ailments raised to RM8,000 from RM6,000
Fight the good fight
RM150mil will also be allocated for the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to coordinate efforts to fight Covid-19.
Hail the frontliners
To honour the sacrifices of frontline workers in handling the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has agreed to a one-off payment of RM500 to them, which is expected to benefit 100,000 people.
For 2021, the government said it will allocate RM1bil more to fight the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
For the year 2020, the government has allocated RM1.8bil for the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) as well as related public health facilities related to Covid-19 among which is to purchase personal protection equipment (PPE), reagents and consumables.
The government will raise the ceiling of the Kumpulan Wang Covid-19 by RM20bil to RM65bil to fund the Kita Prihatin initiative.
The government proposes to raise the ceiling of the Covid-19 Fund by RM20bil to RM65bil.
Three main objectives of Budget 2021
Firstly: The wellbeing of the people
Secondly: Business continuity
Thirdly: Resilience of the economy
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz points out that Malaysia has gone through a challenging year in 2020. He says that never in modern history has a plague caused such an impact.
We will get through this!
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz: The government expects the economy to recover in 2021, and to grow by between 6.5% and 7.5% in line with the stimulus packages and Budget 2021.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz begins his speech.
Speaker allows the request and calls all MPs to enter the hall.
Let us in!
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urges that more MPs be allowed into the Hall to hear and debate the Budget 2021 proposal.
AmBank
Group CEO Datuk Sulaiman Mohd Tahir says the government’s Budget 2021
is one that is reflective of the need for mitigatory measures to manage
the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Whether he returns to power or not, the US president and his ilk have ruined America and curdled how such privilege is viewed. Battling Am...https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-coronavirus-cases-world-map/ WASHINGTON: The United States passed nine million reported corona..https://www.theguardian.com/ us-news/ng-interactive/2020/ nov/03/us-election-2020-live- results-donald-trump-joe- biden-who-wo.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo File photo: AFP https://www.theguardian.com/ us-news/ng-interactive/2020/ nov/03/us-election-2020-live..Time to stop bullying... China has no reason to fear US suppression, the Korea War 1950~53 The Chinese People's Vo..
