WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE NEW YEAR

1

Smokers flouting the no smoking at food outlet rule will be fined RM250; first-time offenders may get a discount; third-time and above offenders will be slapped with a RM350 compound. Owners of premises face the same and are not allowed to offer smoker amenities like ashtrays and shisha.

2

Free Breakfast Programme (PSP) 2020 for primary schools starts at 7am until 8.30am (morning session) and between 12pm and 4pm for the afternoon session.

3

No summons imposed for the first six months for those without the compulsory Child Restraint System (CRS) car seat.

4

Employers must register migrant workers under Skim Bencana Kerja Pekerja Asing (SBKPA) introduced by Perkeso.

5

The rate of monthly minimum wage has been increased to RM1,200 in 57 main cities under the administration of its city councils and municipalities, while the monthly minimum wage outside these areas remain at RM1,100.

6

Parcel rent (cukai petak) beginning Jan 1 in Kuala Lumpur will see houseowners, especially those in B40 category, enjoy a flat rate of RM15 for leasehold and RM20 for freehold.

7

Digital service tax at 6% for foreign digital service providers — including software, music, video, and digital advertising.

8

Form 4 students will no longer be divided into literature and science streams, instead allowed to choose subjects according to their interests.

9

All households in Sarawak get free water for the first RM5 of the monthly domestic water bill, which is equivalent to about 11,300L of free water, according to the State Utilities

Ministry.

10

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in 62 toll plazas, open system toll highways for class one vehicles.

11

Free pneumococcal vaccine for all newborn babies.

12

The ban on plastic straws does not involve the public but fines imposed on sellers and entrepreneurs with business permits.

13

Jawi writing on signages across all business premises in Pahang.

14

Pangkor Island will be a duty free; alcohol not included.

15

Toll rates for private-owned cars reduced at the Second Penang Bridge from RM8.50 to RM7.00.

16

Allowance raise at RM2 per hour for People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) volunteers.

17

Actors, make-up artists, production crew, etc., in the artistic field, enjoy the benefits of the EPF and Socso depending on their salaries and insurance policies.

18

Various stages of levy fees for foreign workers across all sectors, specifically agriculture and manufacturing.

19

Registered households with total income below RM4,000 in Selangor are eligible for the Free Water Programme by the Selangor government from Mar 1, 2020.