EY has released its latest tax alert, issue No. 23/2021. This issue covers:
Malaysian developments
- Update to prescribed employee and annual operating expenditure requirements for Labuan companies
- Exemption from non-deductibility rules on payments to certain types of Labuan entities
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the revision of estimate of tax payable in the 11th month of the basis period and the deferment of payment of estimated tax payable (CP204) and instalment scheme (CP500), as announced in Budget 2022
- Guidelines on the income tax treatment for banks or development financial institutions (FIs) which adopt the Malaysian Financial Reporting Standard 9 – Financial Instruments
- Stamp duty remission on service agreements
Overseas developments
- Indonesia passes wide-ranging tax law amendments
- Philippines proposes law imposing VAT on non-resident digital service providers
Expatriates arriving in Malaysia through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA 1) can now obtain immigration pass stickers at the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) Satellite Centre.
The Immigration Department of Malaysia launched the ESD Satellite Centre (ESC) on 30 November 2021, as part of significant changes in work processes and improving immigration services to help facilitate expatriates entering Malaysia following Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan.
Highlights:
- The ESC is located at the Arrival Hall, on Level 3 of KLIA 1, and is open 24 hours a day.
- Open to expatriates from all over the world.
- Same day issuance of Expatriate Endorsed Passes upon arrival at the KLIA 1.
The ESC Process:
- Before traveling to Malaysia, new expatriates must obtain an immigration pass approval letter and complete payment online.
- Upon arrival at the KLIA ESC, an Immigration Pass Sticker will be issued.
- Once the Sticker is obtained, the expatriate will be able to start work.
Click here for ESC Launch Infographic. The infographic provided by The Malaysian Immigration Department in collaboration with TalentCorp and MyExpats.
The two years of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the importance of having good Government Relations (GR). We learnt that there was a need to foster a strong relationship and sustain communication lines with the Government in a changing environment.
After successful GR oriented programs in 2021 such as the GATE Program and its GATE 40 edition, we finished up this year in preparation for 2022 with a half-day Government Relations Workshop, conducted by Dr. Marcella Lucas, an Innovation, Strategy & Leadership Consultant. This workshop enabled our members in the GR and Public Affairs roles to get together and discuss the vision for GR in Malaysia and the key actions needed to achieve it together.
Special thanks to Dr. Marcella for conducting the workshop and to our GR member representatives for participating.
The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) is proud to announce the Relieve Pay Forward initiative launched by High School Senior student Hongju L., in collaboration with Global Doctors Asia and UNHCR.
The project began in 2020 at the start of Malaysia’s first Movement Control Order, and the team finally launched their webpage on the Global Doctors Asia site in November this year. A ceremony to officiate the launch happened at the Hyatt House, Mont Kiara, on November 19, 2021.
Relieve is a team founded by HongJu with co-founders Dokyung K. and Jimin. L., ISKL High School seniors who are like-minded and passionate about providing affordable healthcare services to vulnerable minority populations like refugees. They initiated the Pay Forward System to the existing refugee healthcare provided by Global Doctors clinics in hopes of creating a stable healthcare system for minority groups in Malaysia.
It takes a pebble to create a ripple and one person to make a difference. Let us be inspired by the admirable spirit of the Relieve Team and hope that their ripples of kindness will reach out to the many people in need of affordable healthcare services.
– Agilent supports the communities in which we live and work and encourage employees to share their time and talents to help others.
At Agilent, we are committed to advancing the quality of life. We do that by the very nature of our products and services, which are built to improve health, safety, and the environment.
In communities where we operate, we contribute through donations, employee volunteerism, and community partnerships in the areas of science education.
Caring for cancer patients and vulnerable children
Agilent identifies local charities in communities which we live and work and support them on an ongoing basis. Among the charities supported are Charis Hospice Penang, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital and The Children’s Protection Society.
Throughout the pandemic, employees raised spirits and helped those in need by participating in fundraisers like virtual runs and photography contests. Besides that, donations were made to the charities to support their dayto-day operations.
Promoting Science Education
Agilent partners with Penang Science Cluster to inspire students to learn science. Employees are also given a platform to share their passion for science with students through workshops and competitions. Recently, Agilent supported a virtual competition for students to develop scientific communication skills.
Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis
During the pandemic, Agilent assisted frontline medical workers with donation of personal protection equipment (PPE), including 3D printed face shields, face masks, medical gloves, and hand sanitizers.
In August 2021, the high number of COVID cases caused a shortage of medical equipment in Penang hospitals. In response, Agilent donated 24 oxygen concentrators to Penang General Hospital. The machines are used by five to eight COVID patients every day.
