Tuesday 28 July 2020

Wong Hon Wai ask when the liquor licences will be issued again

The Edge Markets / July 28, 2020

Guidelines on sale of liquor in KL to be discussed in August — Annuar

Annuar: There is actually no suspension of the licence to sell liquor, but a freeze on the issuance of new licences in areas under DBKL due to public unhappiness over the incidents involving drunk drivers which were life-threatening, with some causing death.

KUALA LUMPUR (July 28): Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) liquor licensing board will meet in August to discuss and draw up a more organised guideline on the sale of liquor in the capital city.

Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said this will look after public interest, while taking into account the sensitivity of the premises and areas as well as the hours when liquor can be sold to the public.

“There is actually no suspension of the licence to sell liquor, but a freeze on the issuance of new licences in areas under DBKL due to public unhappiness over the incidents involving drunk drivers which were life-threatening, with some causing death.

“We have received many views from the public, non-governmental organisations and political parties, including on licensing, the way the licence is issued, how liquor is sold, to whom it is sold,” he said, adding that DBKL is looking at improving the guidelines.

“So there will no new licences issued until a better guideline is drawn up,” he said during the Minister Question Session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Annuar was replying to a question from Wong Hon Wai (PH-Bukit Bendera) who asked for the rationale behind DBKL’s decision to suspend liquor licences in the Federal Territory, and when the licences will be issued again.

Annuar said for the moment, the freeze on the issuance of licences did not affect the employees involved and the licence holders can conduct business as usual as 2,096 licences are still valid and the licences will expire in September.

“Of this number, more than 200 has applied to renew their licences while there are 69 new applications which are being considered until the new guidelines are drawn up,” he said.

Replying to a question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PAS-Kuala Krai) who asked the ministry to limit the sale of liquor in Muslim areas, Annuar said the DBKL liquor licensing board will take this into consideration and ensure tight control over the licences.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/guidelines-sale-liquor-kl-be-discussed-august-%E2%80%94-annuar

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黄汉伟发问更新卖酒执照事件

亚洲时报 / 2020年7月28 日

隆市酒牌新条例下月出炉，涵盖地区考量与卖酒时限

吉隆坡市政厅自6月2日冻结更新卖酒执照，联邦直辖区部长安努亚慕沙表示，新的卖酒执照条例将涵盖多项考量，包括卖酒地区的敏感性、售卖酒精饮品的时限及卖酒的场合等。

他也表示，吉隆坡市政厅预计将在8月完成制定新条例，而执照委员会将依新指南发出卖酒执照。

安努亚慕沙今日在国会下议院部长问答环节中，回答伊斯兰党瓜拉吉赖区国会议员阿都拉迪（Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman）的提问时，如是表示。

阿都拉迪是询问，会否限制出售酒精饮品，特别是穆斯林多数的区域，以及审视在穆斯林区域卖酒的现有店面的问题。

安努亚慕沙表示，酒精饮料不能与一般饮品相提并论，因此政府才会实施执照以进行管制。

“我们国家（卖酒管制）的趋势似乎越来越松懈……（卖酒）条例必须要更为系统性，因为不能把售卖酒精饮料与普通饮品相提并论，它是会影响到其他人的。”

“所以必须要考量到全方面的顾虑，包括地区的敏感度、卖酒的时限、卖酒的场合和店面（premise），以便这个条例能在不阻止他人喝酒或卖酒的权利下，更有系统和整齐。”

新条例预计下月初出炉

安努亚慕沙指出，他已经委任5名新成员加入隆市政厅的执照委员会，以协助制订卖酒执照的准则和条例。

他透露，该委员会将在下个月召开会议，预料届时将会有新条例出炉。

“他们会给出一个清楚的条例，确保不能在没有清楚条例规定下，随意发出执照。”

不存在影响就业的问题

较早前，行动党升旗山国会议员黄汉伟询问，隆市政厅自6月冻结更新卖酒执照至今，是否曾咨询相关利益相关者，并且担忧会影响相关行业的就业机会。

不过，安努亚慕沙并没有正面回答，仅表示若有利益相关者要提供意见，其部门愿聆听。

他也透露，大部分现有卖酒执照将在9月或10月才到期，目前只有逾200个更新执照的申请，而新卖酒执照申请只有69份，因此黄汉伟的顾虑并不成立。

“其实这不存在失业等影响，我有看到一些非政府组织在报章上的言论，很多都是言过于实。”

隆市政厅是以酒驾事件频频为由，自6月2日其冻结更新和发出新的卖酒执照。

7月22日，安努亚慕沙通过国会书面答复指出，隆市政厅会持续冻结发出新的卖酒执照，“直到制定了一套准则和法律审查为止。”

他说明，隆市政厅正在研究其他国家的卖酒政策，同时拿捏衡量基准。

7月23日，房地部副部长依斯迈（Ismail Abdul Mutallib）表示，随着酒驾意外事件逐渐增加，该部门也考虑设立特工队，监督商店贩卖酒类的问题。

惟吉隆坡八个商会指出，他们旗下多个商家的售酒执照，即将在数周或数月后到期，若政府继续冻结执照更新，则这些商家的营运就会受阻。

http://www.asiatimes.com.my/2020/07/28/%E9%9A%86%E5%B8%82%E9%85%92%E7%89%8C%E6%96%B0%E6%9D%A1%E4%BE%8B%E4%B8%8B%E6%9C%88%E5%87%BA%E7%82%89%EF%BC%8C%E6%B6%B5%E7%9B%96%E5%9C%B0%E5%8C%BA%E8%80%83%E9%87%8F%E4%B8%8E%E5%8D%96%E9%85%92%E6%97%B6/

Thursday 23 July 2020

黄汉伟在国会问答环节追问槟州填海计划

the malaysian insight / 23 Jul 2020

部长不否认填海计划会带来很大经济潜能，但声称作为一个负责保护环境的部门，该部在填海课题上必须做全面的考量。（档案照：透视大马）

环境及水务部长端依布拉欣指出，槟城南部填海计划的环境管理蓝图（EMP）未获得部门批准前，该项工程不得动工。

他说，环境管理蓝图是此填海计划必须符合的72项条件之一，而其中的环境管理蓝图是必须符合的主要条件之一，之后填海计划才能获得环境影响评估的批准。

依布拉欣承诺政府在探讨槟城填海课题时，会以专业的角度做出评估。

他不否认填海计划会带来很大经济潜能，但作为一个负责保护环境的部门，该部在填海课题上必须做全面的考量。

他说，环境部关注此填海计划是否会引发“永久环境破坏”和粮食安全的问题。

他今日在国会问答环节回覆行动党升旗山国会议员黄汉伟的附加提问时指出，槟州填海计划引起来自渔民和居民的反弹，政府严正看待所有的发展计划，尤其是涉及环境影响评估的发展计划。

黄汉伟是追问环境部会否专业地评估填海计划，将其所具备的经济潜力纳入考量，以及不受到政治因素影响。

端布拉欣说，环境部保证将会采取透明、公正和专业的方式处理此事。

https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/chinese/s/262476

Wong Hon Wai bertanya soalan tentang Projek Tambakan Laut Pulau Pinang Selatan (PSR)

bharian / 23 Julai 2020

Pelan cadangan Projek Tambakan Laut Pulau Pinang Selatan (PSR) seluas 1,821 hektar. - Foto fail NSTP

KUALA LUMPUR: Projek Tambakan Laut Pulau Pinang Selatan (PSR) seluas 1,821 hektar sehingga kini tidak mendapat sebarang kelulusan untuk sebarang kerja dimulakan.

Menteri Alam Sekitar dan Air, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, ketika mengesahkan perkara itu berkata PSR belum mendapat kelulusan kerana Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) menerima rayuan membabitkan 185 nelayan di Sungai Batu.

Susulan itu, katanya, Ahli Lembaga Rayuan dicadangkan kepada Jabatan Peguam Negara, selaras Seksyen 36 Akta Kualiti Alam Sekeliling 1974, untuk pertimbangan lanjut.

"PSR tidak dimulakan lagi, justeru tiada proses penangguhan seperti yang ditanya kerana tiada kelulusan.

"Sebanyak 4,600 bantahan diterima dari nelayan berhubung PSR dan perkara ini selaras Seksyen 36, iaitu apabila seseorang terkilan dengan apa-apa keputusan Ketua Pengarah di bawah Seksyen 3 dan 4 Seksyen 34(A) Laporan Impak Alam Sekitar boleh merayu.

"Lembaga Rayuan boleh, selepas mendengar Ketua Pengarah dan perayu, membuat apa-apa perintah yang difikirkan patut," katanya pada sesi pertanyaan lisan di Dewan Rakyat, hari ini.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika menjawab soalan tambahan Che Alias Hamid (PAS-Kemaman) mengenai sama ada PSR sudah ditangguhkan selepas mendapat tentangan dan rayuan daripada nelayan.

Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Chow Kon Yeow, pada 18 April tahun lalu dilaporkan berkata cadangan PSR diluluskan, selepas dibentangkan kepada Majlis Perancangan Fizikal Negara (MPFN) di Kuala Lumpur.

Persetujuan terhadap pelaksanaan PSR itu dikatakan dicapai MPFN yang dipengerusikan Perdana Menteri ketika itu, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, dan kerajaan negeri perlu mematuhi 18 nasihat.

Kepada soalan tambahan Wong Hon Wai (DAP-Bukit Bendera) berhubung jaminan kerajaan untuk meneliti kelulusan PSR tanpa sentimen politik, Tuan Ibrahim memberi jaminan bahawa ia akan diperhalusi secara adil, telus dan profesional.

"Saya akui, projek ini ada potensi ekonomi yang banyak dan mampu menjana peluang pekerjaan, tetapi kementerian akan meneliti pelan pengurusan alam sekitarnya secara profesional.

"Ini kerana pada masa sama, kementerian diberikan amanah untuk jaga alam sekitar selepas kita lihat projek ini bakal mencetuskan impak berterusan, malah kesan terhadap sektor berkaitan perlu diambil kira," katanya.

https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/07/713959/psr-belum-dapat-kelulusan

Monday 20 July 2020

Wong Hon Wai has called on the Government not to freeze the MM2H programme

PropertyGuru / July 20, 2020

MP urges government not to freeze MM2H programme

Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai has called on the government not to freeze the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, saying it would affect the economy.

He noted that the decision to review and freeze applications for the MM2H programme would severely affect many industries and could result in an RM776 million loss for the country, reported The Star.

“The review of the MM2H next year will affect not only the national economy but the economy of Penang as well,” The Star quoted Wong as saying.

“Penang has been ranked second in the ‘Top 10 Retirement Places in the World’ list and is the only city in Asia in the list.”

Aside from hampering over 90% of the MM2H applications submitted between September and November 2019, Wong pointed out that the decision to freeze the programme would also affect around 250 MM2H consulting firms. These firms may face the risk of layoffs or shutting down operations.

As such, the minister in charge should carefully consider these issues, he said, adding that the MM2H consulting firms are willing to cooperate with relevant government departments.

“MM2H participants form an important group that drives the economy of Malaysia…They bring foreign investment into our country and help boost the education, insurance, banking and real estate sectors,” he said.

“These foreigners also send their children to international schools in our country.”

Want to learn more about MM2H? We have all the information you need here!

Moreover, MM2H participants also made significant contributions to the country’s medical industry. In fact, MM2H generated total revenue of RM40.6 billion since the programme’s launch in 2002.

To date, some 40,000 foreigners have been allowed to reside in Malaysia through the programme.

The government has granted the participants a social visit pass with multiple entries for a period of 10 years as well as a renewable visa.

Early in the month, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Nancy Shukri reportedly said that no new applications for the MM2H programme would be accepted until next year.

Set to be completed by year-end, the review is aimed at upgrading the programme as well as improving its processes, she said.

https://www.propertyguru.com.my/property-news/2020/7/190406/mp-urges-government-not-to-freeze-mm2h-programme

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Sunday 19 July 2020

黄汉伟出席“本田摩托车免费检查与维修公益活动”

Thursday 16 July 2020

少数派的政府

刊登于《光华日报》2020年7月16日

Wednesday 15 July 2020

Wong Hon Wai ask about Local Council Elections

TheStar / Wednesday, 15 Jul 2020

IT will cost over RM300mil to hold local council elections nationwide, says Zuraida Kamaruddin (pic).

“With regard to the cost implications, it is estimated that it will cost about RM2mil to hold elections for a local council.

“So to hold elections for all the 154 local councils in the country, the amount incurred will be estimated at RM308mil, ” the Housing and Local Government Minister said when replying to a question by Wong Hon Wai (PH-Bukit Bendera).

Zuraida said there were no plans to hold local council elections at the moment as the matter was still under study by the government.

“The study will cover a period of three years with the findings brought to the Cabinet and Parliament for approval by mid-2021, ” she said.

Zuraida also said that two committees had been formed to gather feedback from stakeholders and to formulate a mechanism for the implementation of such elections.

She said the study would also include a pilot programme on the local council elections in Penang and Selangor.

Besides the cost implications, Zuraida said several laws needed to be amended if the local council elections were to be held.

Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok Sena) took a swipe at Zuraida, asking if she had the backing of the Cabinet under the Perikatan Nasional administration as PAS – which is part of the ruling coalition – was against holding local council elections.

To this, Zuraida retorted, “When I brought this up during the previous administration, YB Langkawi (former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) was against it.“Yet none of you from the other side dared to support me, although it was part of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto, ” she said.

Zuraida helmed the Housing and Local Government Ministry under Pakatan’s administration before its collapse in late February this year.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/07/15/minister-nationwide-local-board-elections-may-cost-rm308mil
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