Today, 11 January, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Prime Minister of Malaysia, announced the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Melaka, Johor, Sabah, Putrajaya and Labuan starting from midnight Wednesday (Jan 13). This MCO would last until Jan 26.

For states under effect of MCO starting Wednesday (Jan 13):

• Interstate travel is not allowed
• Interdistrict travel is not allowed
• Movement would be limited to a 10-km radius from a person’s home and only two from a household are permitted to leave the house and travel in the same vehicle at any one time for the purpose of buying necessities from supermarkets or grocery shops.
• Roadblocks will also be mounted at main roads and movement is limited to 10-km radius from one’s place of residence
• No dine-ins will be allowed in states affected by the Movement Control Order (MCO), takeaway is permitted.
• Food delivery services, supermarkets, healthcare services including clinics, hospitals and pharmacies, and banks, are allowed to operate but are subjected to strict SOP compliance.
• Social activities including wedding reception, conferences, religious processions, meetings, seminars, courses and group sport activities are banned in the states affected by MCO.
• Outdoor recreational activities allowed among people within same household.
• Individuals must keep 2m-distance at all times.
• No more than 2 people allowed to jog at any one time.
• Cycling not allowed in groups; only one person allowed.
• Anyone who violates these rulings will be subjected to a maximum fine of RM1,000 under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342)
• Only 5 essential economic sectors allowed to operate. These industries are: manufacturing, construction, services, trade and distribution, and plantations and commodities.
• Only 30% of workers within a company’s management group are allowed to go in to office. Employers determine the number of employees permitted in office at any one time (taking into account the SOP compliance)
• Non-essential services staff to work from home; employers must comply with this ruling.
• Ensure total adherence to SOP, observe physical distancing at all times.

Read full Prime Minister’s speech here:

• English Version
• BM Version

Following the recent introduction of job advertising requirements for expatriate positions via the national employment portal MYFutureJobs which has come into effect 1 January 2021, the Malaysian government has carved out exemptions for certain expatriate positions.

On 8 Jan, AMCHAM hosted a follow-up briefing session on the MYFutureJobs portal. The briefing session was conducted by Gayathri Vadivel, Head of Employment Services, and Andreas Charles Akobiarek, Strategic Initiative and Disability Employment Unit Lead,  from Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO).

This session covered the guidelines for registration on the MYfutureJobs portal, qualifying automatic exemptions, as well as the process of advertising and applying for conditional exemptions. Attendees got to learn more throughout the Q&A session. Special thanks to both our speakers for returning to AMCHAM and engaging with our members once again.

For further information on the MyFutureJobs portal, its guidelines and FAQs, please visit PERKESO website here: https://www.perkeso.gov.my/149-sip/854-myfuturejobs-recommendation-for-foreign-workers-and-expatriate-application.html 

The 2020 tax reporting season is around the corner and as an employer, compliance with employer’s tax obligations such as the annual reporting of income would be at the forefront of your agenda, especially in the first quarter of the year.

Further, as the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (MIRB) is very focused on fostering compliance amongst taxpayers, employer audits are common and are expected to increase in the coming years.  Hence, it is crucial for employers to ensure complete, correct and accurate reporting in respect of all compensation delivered to their employees and directors.

With that in mind, we will be conducting a half-day webinar that serves as a refresher for all HR and payroll personnel in the preparation for the upcoming 2020 tax reporting.  The webinar will also cover highlights of the relevant proposals/recent updates affecting employer and/or employees.

The focus areas during the session will include:

o   Detailed walk-through of Form E and Form EA reporting requirements, including

• Disclosure of income in the Form E/EA
• Types of perquisites and benefits-in-kind
• Tax exempt allowances/perquisites/benefits
• Consequences of non-compliance with employer’s obligations
• Sharing of practical reporting challenges
• MIRB’s focus areas for employer’s audit

o   Brief updates on Budget 2021/PENJANA proposals impacting employers and/or employees

o   Highlights on tax issues affecting employers and employees due to COVID-19 travel restrictions

Who should attend

• HR personnel
• Payroll personnel
• Finance, tax or mobility personnel

Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Due to capacity limitations, please register by 4 January 2021 to secure your spot.

Webinar details

• Fee is RM200 per delegate (inclusive of 6% SST)
• Application to Human Resources Development Berhad (HRDB) for SBL assistance must be submitted by participants before the seminar. Completed forms must be submitted online at www.hrdf.com.my

**Company’s eligibility for SBL assistance is subject to HRDF’s approval. This seminar is HRDF-compliant.

Deloitte has taken extra measures to ensure additional security controls on the use of Zoom. We respect each organisation’s IT security policy which may restrict your participation.

It has come to our attention that our members have been concerned about the U.S. Embassy Travel Advisory.  Please be advised that the Advisory has been in place since August 2020 and, to date, no change has been made.  

However, more recently, the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their COVID-19 Travel Health Notices, which may have caused some confusion. To help clarify:

There are two separate U.S. government agencies that have rankings for each country based on their own metrics. The U.S. Department of State has a Travel Advisory (for citizens considering travel abroad) and the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has COVID-19 Travel Health Notices (THNs). The CDC’s COVID-19 THNs recently adapted their 3-Level THNs system to a COVID-19 specific 4-Level system. Many countries’ THNs levels were updated to reflect the change, including Malaysia.  Prior to December 2, 2020, Malaysia was a Level 3 “Avoid all non-essential travel” (the highest level than possible), but once CDC updated the levels, Malaysia moved to Level 4 “Avoid all travel”.  The general guidance continues to remain the same.  

As mentioned above, the Department of State Travel Advisory has been at Level 3: Reconsider Travel for Malaysia due to COVID-19 since August 6, 2020 and remains at Level 3 to date. For additional information, please see the full Travel Advisory. 

We encourage all American citizens to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest information from the U.S. Embassy directly.

Indonesia, Jakarta, 6 January 2021 – Cleantech Solar, one of the largest commercial and industrial (C&I) solar PV developers in Asia, enters into a long-term agreement with PT. Elang Perdana Tyre Industry for a 4.5 MW solar PV project. Cleantech Solar will provide the complete turnkey solution and guarantee the performance of the solar PV system throughout the lifetime of the 25-year agreement.

This project will help Elang Perdana with their sustainability agenda by generating over 136,300 MWh of clean electricity; equivalent to offsetting over 117,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. With the switch to solar power, Elang Perdana will enjoy the benefits of a cleaner and cheaper source of electricity to power its manufacturing processes at zero upfront capital investment. This contributes to Indonesia’s ambitious target to increase its share of renewables in the national energy mix to 23% by 2025.

“Besides the aim of building a sustainable future, we would like to increase general awareness on environmental preservation as this solar project will play an important role in reducing our carbon emissions,” said Dicky Mursalie, Managing Director of PT Elangperdana Tyre Industry. “Moreover, situated in tropical Indonesia, the project will work in our favor as sunlight is a very abundant resource here. With our continuous effort to be a sustainable business that brings positive impact to the communities we operate in, PT Elang Perdana Tyre Industry will always take on similar projects to make a positive contribution to our people, society and the environment.”

Mr. Raju Shukla, Cleantech Solar Founder and Executive Chairman said: “Cleantech Solar is delighted to partner with Elang Perdana in helping them to make this transition towards renewable energy. We look forward to many further such collaborations in Indonesia which will help businesses achieve their environmental and cost-saving targets and contribute towards the country’s sustainable goals.”