Malaysia Budget 2013 Report

Tax breaks, affordable housing and cash for the needy are just a few of the goodies in Budget 2013.

Here's the Full text of the Budget Speech

Malaysia Budget Day

Today, the PM announces the Budget for next year. What is expected?

Budget 2013 is expected to address the middle-income trap, in which more than 50% of the urban population are stuck.

From housing to transport, middle class Malaysians have been left unassisted as they grapple with the high cost of living in the city, and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is certain to look into rectifying the situation.

More..Urban group’s concerns to be focus of PM’s speech

Sights and sounds of lantern festival at Central Market

The 1Malaysia Lantern Tourism Festival 2012 kicked off with fireworks, LED drum performances and a dance with an amalgam of traditional costumes in front of Central Market last week.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said this year’s festival was different from previous years. “This year’s lantern is bigger and more beautiful,” she said.

If you happen to be in Kuala Lumpur, this would be a good time to visit the many beautiful lanterns on display at the Central Market, a tourist destination in itself where you can buy home Malaysian handicraft for friends and family back home.

More..Sights and sounds of lantern festival light up Central Market

Affordable homes for middle-income earners

The prices of houses in Malaysia have risen so much that buying a house is beyond the means of a middle-income earner let alone one who is new in the workforce.

Under the 1Malaysia People Housing programme (PR1MA), affordable housing will now be available to middle-income earners, even those who have a total household income of RM7,500 per month.

After studying 20 schemes including the HDB in Singapore before coming up with the programme, the government has widened the band to stretch it to a combined salary of up to RM7,500, previously, RM6,000. The lower threshold is RM3,000.

The houses will be sold without any ethnic quota but will be available at special discounted rates through a transparent balloting method.

PR1MA chief executive officer, Datuk Abdul Mutalib Alias, stressed that these are not low cost units and that this housing programme is about solving housing needs as well as addressing the lifestyle needs of the middle-income group.

There will be a moratorium of 10 years before the buyers can sell their units though there will be exceptions based on circumstances. Details are being worked out for an announcement next week as reported.

More: Finally, affordable homes for middle-income earners

Estino Taniyu - third Malaysian to swim across the English Channel

Another Malaysian has successfully swum the English Channel. He is Estino Taniyu who hails from Sabah, East Malaysia.

His successful completion of a solo challenge across the 33.6km English Channel was done without his mother in Semporna knowing anything of his feat but naturally, she was happy when told of the good news.

There aren't that many Malaysians who have accomplished this feat of swimming solo across the English Channel.

Estino made history as the third Malaysian to have done it at 10.20pm Malaysian time on Friday clocking a timing of 13 hours 45 minutes to complete his endeavour.

The first Malaysian to complete the feat is Datuk Abdul Malik Mydin in 17 hours and 35 minutes in 2003, followed by Lennard Lee in 2004. He finished it in nine hours and 45 minutes.

According to Bernama, the Malaysian Royal Navy personnel reached Sandy Beach, Calais in France, after taking off from Dover Beach in Britain at 8.41am (Malaysian time).

Meanwhile, a relay team of six swimmers, also from the Malaysian navy, completed their challenge of swimming across the English Channel at 4pm on Thursday in 14 hours and 30 minutes.

The team comprised Mohd Roslan Mohd Zawawi, Mohd Khairul Faizal Mazli, Mohd Salleh Mahmor, Buranurdin Sali, Sharizal Omar and Mohd Zulfadhli Mahamad.

Syabas to all!

Source: Malaysians rejoice as Estino conquers English Channel — but his mum knew nothing of it


Update: Channel swimmers get hero's welcome home

Price of RON97 petrol is now RM3 per litre

Yesterday, Sep 6, saw a hike in the price of premium petrol RON97 to RM3 per litre, up by 30 sen.

The retail price of RON97 petrol is determined by a 'managed float' in which the price fluctuates according to market forces.

Here in Malaysia, the price of petrol is the same across the board meaning wherever you fill your tank in any part of the country, the petrol price is the same. There are two types of petrol being sold in Malaysia, RON95 and RON97. The latter being the premium grade is the petrol available to foreigners (i.e., non-citizens) in the country.

Related article:
Petrol price for RON97 is now RM3 per litre

MAS operates direct flights to Katmandu

Good news for holiday-makers visiting Nepal or for Nepalese returning for home-leave from KL as MAS, the national carrier, now flies to Katmandu direct.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) began its thrice-weekly flights to Kathmandu, with the inaugural flight departing for Nepal's capital from KL International Airport at 8.55 am this morning.

The KL-Kathmandu flights will be on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The Boeing 737-800 aircraft is used for the route and comes with 144 economy class and 16 business class seats.

With the flight to Kathmandu, MAS now operates 47 international routes.


Source: The Star..MAS begins flights to Kathmandu