8 theSun | WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31 2008

news without borders

Regulations coming into force

MAKING New Year
resolutions is an annual
ritual for many. In addition,
here is a reminder of
several laws and regulations
which come into force
tomorrow.
» Compulsory use of
rear seat belts
Rear passengers are required
to buckle up or risk a fine
of up to RM2,000. Vehicles
registered after Jan 1, 1995
must have rear seat belts. All
other vehicles must have belts
installed within three years.
However, the fourth
their monthly contribution
reduced from the mandatory
11% to 8%, thereby benefiting
from a 3% reduction in
contribution. A decision to
reduce members’ statutory
contribution was made twice
before in 2001 and 2003 as
part of an economic stimulus
package.
» Pension of not less The reduction will be
than RM720 automatically effective
Following amendments January to December 2010.
to several laws this year, However, members who
some 75,000 civil servants wish to maintain a 11%
who have served at least 25 contribution may do so by
years can draw a minimum filling in the relevant form to
monthly pension of be submitted to employers for
RM720. submission to the EPF.
The minimum pension
rate also applies to existing » Malay-
sian Anti-
CC
be instituted only by and
with the consent of the
public prosecutor. The
Act also provides for the
establishment of an Anti-
Corruption Advisory Board,
the Special Committee
on Corruption and the
Complaints Committee.
The MACC shall be
advised by a seven-member
Advisory Board appointed
by the Yang di-Pertuan
Agong on the advice of the
prime minister.
during the two-year period,
for motorists travelling
between midnight and
7am on selected six days
before and after Hari
Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese
New Year, Deepavali and
Christmas. Touch ’n Go
and SmartTag users who
spend a minimum of
RM200 monthly will enjoy
a 5% rebate for use on both
highways.
important documents,
and payment can be made
online. Although the
e-Stamp can be printed by
any printing machine, its
security features would
make it impossible to
duplicate. e-Stamps will
also be available at IRB
stamp offices.
» Compulsory
pre-marital
screening for HIV
Muslims planning to
marry must get themselves
tested for HIV as part of a
pre-marital course under

passenger in the backseat government pensioners, an agreement reached by

of a car will not be issued a officers of statutory bodies Corruption state religious authorities.
summons for not wearing and local authorities, and Commis- Screening will be offered to
MA

a seat belt. It has yet to be
determined who will pay
the fine – the vehicle owner,
driver or passenger.
To begin with, a fine of
RM300 will be imposed. From
July 1, however, offenders
will be liable to a maximum
fine of RM2,000 or jail term of
up to one year or both.
Exemptions: Commercial
vehicles such as taxis and
rental cars, large vehicles that
seat nine passengers or more,
judges. sion (MACC) » e-Stamping by Muslims free of charge.
The amendments include The MACC Act the Inland Revenue The government has said
the abolition of a reduction 2008 provides » Discounted toll Board the move is not intended
in derivative pension to 70% for an Anti- rates on PLUS and Under Budget 2009, the to stop couples marrying,
after a period of 12 ½ years Corruption Commission Elite highways stamping of documents but to ascertain their health
from the date of retirement modelled after Hongkong’s From Jan 1, users of Class for landed properties will status. Those who test
of an officer or a judge, or Independent Commission 1 vehicles (two axles and go online tomorrow with positive can still proceed
immediately following the Against Corruption. The Act three or four wheels, except the introduction of an to marry if both partners
date of death while in service. will come into force on Jan 1, taxis and buses) on the e-Stamping system. agree. State religious
replacing the ACA Act 1997. North-South Expressway The move, to benefit authorities will provide
» Cut Under the new law, the ACA (PLUS) and North-South parties who conduct a high them advice on preventive
in EPF director-general will be called Expressway Central Link volume of stamping such measures.
contribution chief commissioner and (Elite) Highway travelling as lawyers and developers, Several states have made
Employees would have the powers of a between midnight and 7am will also see an end to the it mandatory for Muslim
K U M PU

K E R JA

and haulers of more than 3.5 Provident Fund deputy public prosecutor. will get a 10% discount on use of impressed stamps couples to be tested prior to
PE

tonnes are exempt from the members can A prosecution for an toll, effective until Dec 31, and official receipts. marriage. The government
LA

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W NA
AN
G SI M P A
ruling. opt to have offence under the Act shall 2010. Registered users will also encourages non-
There will also be an be able to print out the Muslims intending to marry
additional 10% discount e-Stamp to place on to be screened.

Kurup, who has been the party president

since 1994, will now serve until 2011. – Ber-
briefs nama

Full recovery of Internet

Endorse village elections,
groups urge Perak govt
IPOH: Ten civil society groups have urged the
Perak government to endorse the mock elec-
tions for new village heads.
They are the Centre for Independent Jour-
nalism, Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala
Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall,
Civil Society Initiative for Parlimentary Reform,
Community Development Centre, Network
of Oppressed People, Youth and Student
Democratic Movement of Malaysia, Community
Awareness Association of Selangor, Selangor
and Federal Territories Community Association,
Voice of Malaysian People, and Writers Alliance
for Media Independence.
“The Perak state government must explain
to the public its about-turn as what exact tech-
nical difficulties have prevented village head
elections in the new villages,” they said in joint
statement yesterday.
They said there were no reasons why the
state government should “prohibit” the village
head elections and insist on appointment for
the 134 Chinese new villages. The 817 tradi-
tional villages had their elections earlier this
year. – Bernama
Kurup returned unopposed
as PBRS president
KENINGAU: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup was
returned unopposed as the Parti Bersatu
Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president at its annual
delegates meeting here yesterday.
Datuk Ellron Angin was returned
unopposed as the deputy president and
Baharuddin Nayan, Datuk Kadoh Agundong
and Cyrill Yansalang were elected the vice
presidents.
The 264 delegates from 17 divisions also
voted in the supreme council members.
Those elected were Francis Yantim, Paiman
Galimbu, Dr Florentius Epin Banik, Justin
Majiun, Weills Magium, Fatimah Ibrahim, Jo-
hori Botohong, Alfian Koroh, Taulani Ismail,
Jaiping Minsu and Jailin Lian.
services on Jan 4: TM
KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Berhad
(TM) said yesterday the full recovery of its Inter-
net services is now expected to be on Jan 4.
In a statement, it said there was a delay
in the restoration of the services because of
technical problems at the reparing stages.
It said there was disruption because of
circuit fault on the Southeast Asia-Middle East-
Western Europe 4 (SMW4) submarine cable
network between Palermo in southern Italy and
Alexandaria in northern Egypt, linking Malaysia
to Europe.
On Dec 20, TM had said the restoration
would be completed today.
The company said customers using Internet
services may continue to experience slow
browsing while accessing websites in Europe.
It said customers using other IP services
like the Virtual Private Network (VPN) and other
critical business applications linked to Europe
may also experience some service degradation.
– Bernama
Puteri Netty finally gets
annulment
KANGAR: Puteri Netty Izma Sawiji, who
grabbed national attention over marriage
expenses totalling RM999,999.99 promised
to her by a Pengiran Sufi Tengku Mohamad
Zackrie of Brunei, finally obtained a decree
of fasakh from the lower syariah court
yesterday.
Puteri Netty Izma, 28, befriended Pengi-
ran through the internet and married him
on Feb 26, 2007. She applied for fasakh
(annulment of marriage) on April 13 the
same year after her husband who, it turned
out, was actually 48-year-old Mohamad
Mat Atan, was arrested and charged with
impersonating a lawyer.
In fact, she had never received the mar-
riage expenses.
Mohamad was not present when judge
Zaini Abdul Rahim granted Puteri Netty
Izma the annulment. – Bernama