Malaysia - What you can expect in 2012

1. RM300 fine for those who don't buckle up in the back

-       Passengers who fail to buckle up in the back from Jan 1 will be slapped with a RM300 fine

-       Owners of vehicles without third rear seat belts will also be issued traffic summonses.

2. Better personal data protection

-       The Personal Data Protection Act 2010 is expected to be enforced, making it a crime to sell a customer's personal data or use it for commercial gain for a different purpose other than what it was collected for, without the person's consent.

3. General election?

-       Speculation is rife that polls will be called within the year, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hinting that the elections are “just around the corner.”

-       The Election Commission said indelible ink will be used in the next polls.

4. Let the games begin: 2012 London Olympics

-       The Olympics are scheduled to be held in London from July 27 to Aug 12. It will feature 26 sports and a total of 39 disciplines.

5. Euro 2012 will kick off

-       The much anticipated football championship will see 16 teams battle it out in the final tournament, to be hosted by Poland and Ukraine between June 8 and July 1.

6. Anti-competitive practices to be curbed

-       The Competition Act 2010, expected to be enforced on Jan 1, will prevent industry players from ganging up and fixing prices.

-       This will promote a competitive market in the national economy and safeguard consumer interests.

7. Pay rise for civil servants

-       Effective Jan 1, a new civil service remuneration scheme will give Government employees a pay rise of 7% to 13%, depending on their performance, experience, talent and other factors.

-       The optional scheme will also include an “exit policy”, whereby those who do not improve will be asked to buck up or leave.

8. Repeal of Internal Security Act (ISA) to begin

-       The process of repealing the ISA is expected to begin in March after two replacement laws are drafted.

9. RM500 aid for the people

-       The one-off RM500 assistance under the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia scheme will be distributed in January.

-       The aid, which aims to help 5.2 million households, is targeted at households with a monthly income of RM3,000 and below.

10. Return of the RM20 note

-       The ringgit will be sporting a new look, and the RM20 note is making a comeback after last being issued in 1982.

-       The new fourth series bank notes, except for the RM50 note, will be in circulation from the second half of 2012.

11. New guidelines on setting up childcare centres and kindergartens

-       The guidelines, to be introduced in March, was drafted due to the increasing number of unregistered nurseries in housing areas.

12. Anwar: Guilty or not?

-       On Jan 9, the High Court will deliver its verdict on whether Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is guilty of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

-       If convicted, Anwar faces up to 20 years' jail and whipping.

13. Prince William and Kate Middleton to visit Malaysia

-       Britain's Prince William and his wife, Catherine, are expected to visit the country as part of the royal family's world tour in 2012.

-       The tour is to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 60th year on the throne.

14. Race Relations Bill to be tabled

-       In a bid to promote interaction among the races and foster mutual respect among Malaysians, the Government is expected to table the Bill in the March parliament session.

-       The Bill will be used to combat racial extremism and is one of two replacement laws for the Internal Security Act.

15. Automatic transmission driving licence to be introduced

-       The automatic transmission driving licence will be implemented nationwide in May after the driving curriculum is revised.

-       Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said the new driving curriculum will enable beginners to learn to drive and take a test in an automatic transmission car.

16. Higher EPF contribution from employers

-       Beginning January, the employers' contribution rate to the Employees Provident Fund for workers earning less than RM5,000 a month will increase from 12% to 13%.

-       The move will benefit about 5.3 million working Malaysians.

17. Faster travel for KTM users

-       Over 90,000 commuters in Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Seremban and Rawang will have experience faster rail service when KTM Bhdintroduces new trains with bigger capacities in March.

18. 50% discount on LRT and Monorail services for senior citizens

-       Senior citizens who apply for concession cards can enjoy a 50% discount on Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Monorail services from Jan 1.

-       The discount is one of the efforts under the Government Transformation Programme's Cost of Living National Key Results Area to address the soaring living expenses.

YUEN MEIKENG

The Star

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