Another tax! A new ‘tourism tax’ ranging from RM2.50 to RM20 per room per night will be imposed on all hotels, budget hotel and guest houses with not less than 10 rooms in the country, beginning from 1 August 2017.
From globalisation to planetisation: Towards greater consciousness
Here in Malaysia, there is a sense that it is hard to move forward because we seem to be held back by the heavy baggage of race and religion – issues that divide us.
Pulau Jerejak: 26-acre plot for sale?
Someone pointed out to me this ad which appeared in a Chinese-language newspaper a couple of days ago.
Penang transport: The RM2.3bn bridging financing under SRS’ proposal
The state government says the SRS proposal for transport infrastructure needs RM2.3bn in bridging loans.
Two major stories in Penang…
Two major news stories in Penang.
Story number one:
The raid on a M Mall, a shopping complex run by MBI International, yesterday hit the headlines. Officers from the police, Bank Negara, the Companies Commission and the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism swooped on the mall after MBI fell under Bank Negara’s alert list.
This comment in a Star report caught my attention:
“This is not like (failed money game) JJPTR. MBI fulfilled its promises. What wrong has M Mall done?” Jeffrey, a long-time MBI member, said.
He said he enjoyed spending his virtual money in M Mall, especially on dinners with his wife and children at the mall’s restaurants.
“We can buy everything from household appliances to handphones with our points. We can even partially pay for cars and properties with our points,” he said.
Jeffrey maintained that despite the raid, his virtual money was still intact when he checked online.
They can buy cars and properties with their points? This is news to some of us.
Story number two:
Residents in Sungai Ara are in a state of shock and disappointment after the High Court decided in favour of Sunway Group in judicial review sought by the developer thus overturning an Appeals Board decision in favour of the residents.
This report from The Star:
In his judgement, Justice Lim Chong Fong said the planning permission granted by the then Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) on Feb 21, 2012 in respect of Sunway City’s application to develop a gated and guarded housing scheme is confirmed and maintained.
He said the proposed development, comprising 600 landed and high-rise units with two clubhouses, was below the maximum density.
The zoning of Lot 14345 for general and low density housing was made under Pelan Dasar Perancangan dan Kawalan Pemajuan which was approved by the State Planning Committee (SPC) on July 16, 1996.
Lot 14345 is situated more than 76m above sea level and approximately 43% of the plot has a gradient exceeding 25 degrees.
Justice Lim said MPPP could process the developer’s application for the project without having to refer to the SPC as it came within Category Two of the SPC Guidelines for ‘special projects’.
I haven’t seen the details of the judgment but I think the decision will have implications for what kind of legal position the Penang Structure Plan.
Let’s see what the residents decide to do next, though they probably have financial constraints. Legal costs were awarded against them yesterday.
Six reasons to be concerned about Penang’s mega transport plans
The environmental impact assessment to reclaim 4,500 acres of land off the southern coast of Penang and turn it into three artificial islands is now on public display. But in the first place, is this land reclamation to finance the massive RM50bn Penang transport masterplan justified?
China’s Geely buys 49% of Proton – but what is the future of private cars?
So it is finally out. China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which also controls Sweden’s Volvo, is acquiring a 49 per cent in ailing Proton Holdings Bhd from DRB-Hicom.
Mahathir’s signature on Free Anwar petition seals major political realignment
This was the signature that set tongues wagging at the PKR annual assembly, showing how much Malaysian politics has changed since Reformasi was unleashed in 1998.
MBI International, Mface in Bank Negara’s latest alert list
This news will cause some anxiety: MBI International Sdn Bhd and Mface International Sdn Bhd, large entities heavily involved in Penang and elsewhere, have been finally included in Bank Negara’s latest list of 302 “known companies and websites which are not authorised nor approved under the relevant laws and regulations administered by BNM”.
They operate from this website http://www.mbiv2u.com/
MBI International Group and its subsidiary business network has spread across Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand, according to its website.
Check out Bank Negara’s latest list of unauthorised firms.
Why buses represent democracy in action
Not enough emphasis has been placed in our urban planning on dedicated bus-lanes and on streets that would be shared among buses, bicycles and pedestrians. This video is a ‘must watch’ for all our politicians, mayors, city councillors and planners.