Q1 2024 NEWSLETTER IN THIS EDITION Page 2 AGM meeting 29th February 2024 Updates EHS convenor Page 3 Infrastructure matters Q1 Page 4 & 5 Custom matter updates Q1 HR matters
2 AGM MEETING 2024 , FREPENCA held its Annual General Meeting events at Level 6, B10 Building, B. Braun Medical Industries Sdn. Bhd., Bayan Lepas FIZ on 29 February 2024, accompanied by the FREPENCA Committee Meeting before the AGM. The 46th AGM at Chengal 1 Room commenced at 11.30 am which was attended by 31 representatives from 82 member companies; and the CEO Networking Lunch at 12.30 pm. Main topics discussed during the AGM: Committee’s Report on the working of the Association for the year ended 31 December 2023 The Secretaries & Treasurers’ Report and the audited accounts of the Association for the year ended 31 December 2023 Approval of the Roster of current Member Companies To re-appoint Messrs. Ooi & Associates as Auditors for the ensuing year and to fix their remuneration. To fix the rate of subscriptions for 2024 (Please refer to Paragraph 24 of the Committee’s Report for further details) To authorise the Committee to expend a sum of RM36,000 to fund the costs of CEO Networking Lunch(es) & Dinner(s) which will be held throughout the year 2024. To amend the existing Rules 4.3, 7.1 and 8.6 of the Association’s Rules and Constitution (Please refer to Paragraph 25 of the Committee’s Report for further details). UPDATES EHS CONVENOR Pulau Pinang organized the “Planting One Million Trees Within a Day” on 22nd April 2024 in conjunction with Earth Day organize by Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP). FREPENCA participated in Penang Earth & World Cleanup Event 2024 organized by Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP) in collaboration with Let’s Do It Malaysia and Malaysian Humanitarian Foundation from 20 – 24 April 2024. The annual Earth Hour 2024 took place on March 23 from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Organize by PGC & MBPP. Following amendments in regulations from 2022 going to be enforced: - March 16th, 2022, Bill Gazette of Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act 2022. - March 16th, 2022, Bill Gazette of Factories and Machinery (Repeal) Act 2022. - Oct 5th, 2022, Bill Gazette of Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2022.
3 INFRASTRUCTURE MATTERS Q1 Frepenca attended the task force meeting on 18th January at Komtar – below the points discussed : Contraflow bus lane -> MBPP still assessing the viability. Reviewed the Proposal of Traffic Arrangement/upgrading traffic lights/road widening & upgrading MBPP/MPSP Engineering dept ->Task force requested local authorities to list the projects in priority order and provide timeline accordingly. Issue of Cleanliness along Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu (“LCE”) Expressway -> MBPP has already taken actions by issuing at least 20 summonses. YAB CM suggested to MBPP to upgrade the landscaping work in Penang Island especially at the airport area. Dato’ Loo of Invest Penang suggested to MBPP to cover up the river area next to Plexus (Fishery area) at Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Highway in BLIP. Issue of maintaining/improving infra and enhance the safety of BKIP by having a police station within BKIP -> PDC has agreed to provide land to PDRM to build a Police Bit (near Inari) in BKIP but pending confirmation from PDRM. DSP Ahmad Tarhizi (PDRM) to check with CPO for confirmation and will get back on this matter. If PDRM is not interested to build a police bit at the proposed site, PDC will use the land as car park. Other matters - Water Taxi service from Tanjung Tokong to Batu Maung. A developer has been appointed for this project to provide the transportation service. Estimated to start operations in the next one year.
4 CUSTOM MATTER UPDATES Q1 The below tasks were attended by the FREPENCA custom convenor and all outcomes shared with our members : 1.Attended Malaysian Customs celebrate World Customs Day 2024 Jan 23rd & MITI CNY celebration, Feb 22nd 2. Jan 8th, 2024: CUSTOMS PUBLISHED GUIDELINE Buying Selling Activity Guide of LMW manufacturers 3. My SST SALES TAX EXEMPTION ON MANUFACTURING AIDS & CLEANROOM EQUIPMENT 1.1.2024 4 Share the presentation slides from MITI: BHR-ESG SUSTAINABILITY DUE DILIGENCE COMPLIANCE REPORTING & iESG START CLINIC 5. Briefing - Special Voluntary Disclosure Program (SVDP 2.0) 6. SST LOGISTICS SERVICE EFF 1-3-2024, 6% to 8% Service Tax – Western Digital & Priority Cargo (Aimee). Shall arrange Customs SST to brief members physically – TBA. 7. IMPORTANT SUBJECT TO PRESENT, FIZ CUSTOMS OFFICERS OPERATING HOURS, 4 March 8. Updated Regulations and Order on Low Value Goods, 1.1.2024 9. Oct 20th 2023: MESYUARAT PANEL PERUNDINGAN KASTAMSWASTA BIL. 1_2023 – Use of BG LMW for repair & return. Approval extends to LMW. 10. CUSTOMS HQ COMMITTEE MINUTES OF MEETING 28.12.2023 – my Stat Service TO RESUME, APPROVED BY MOF, date plan April 2024 11. CUSTOMS HQ COMMITTEE BIL 1_2024 MEETING MAY 3RD 2024
5 HR MATTERS Progressive Wage System The objective of the Progressive Wage system is to increase the salaries of workers through the enhancement of skills and improving productivity. Discussion held among members on this developments. Economic Ministry issued the White Paper on the Progressive Wage Policy Briefing on Program Latihan Madani (PLM) by HRDCorp The objective is to brief about the implementation of Program Latihan MADANI (PLM) by HRD Corp as announced by Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister in Budget 2024 speech. A special fund of 15 per cent of the total levy collection will be used to implement PLM which includes retraining and skill improvement programs for PMKS entrepreneurs and vulnerable groups such as ex-convicts, the disabled, the elderly and retirees. Industries have voice opposition of using the said employer’s levy of 15% The program has not been implemented yet