Off-peak incentives will be offered to reduce traffic at Port Klang
PUTRAJAYA: Financial incentives will be offered to encourage hauliers to space out their entry into Port Klang so that traffic congestion in and around the port could be better managed, says the Transport Ministry.
In particular, sums starting from RM7.50 for vehicles will be offered as a pilot programme beginning August, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic) after he chaired the National Logistics Task Force meeting here yesterday.
Hauliers entering Port Klang during off-peak hours (8pm to 8am) will receive RM15 for dual movements (enter and exit within the same time band) and RM7.50 for single movements.
'The cost of this incentive will be funded through a Terminal Access Charge (TAC) of RM10 payable by hauliers entering the port during peak hours (8am to 8pm).
'The imposition of TAC and the provision of incentives will be exempted on Sundays and Public Holidays. These measures provide clear incentives to help the industry move towards safer and more efficient practices,' said Loke of the scheme that is expected to be fully in place by the end of the year.
In the same vein, importers and exporters that shift at least 50% of their haulage activity to off-peak hours by July 1 will also qualify for additional free storage time at the port.
At present, a four-day free storage period is standard before charges apply. Loke said companies that do not maintain a 50:50 ratio between peak and off-peak movements may lose this free storage incentive.
Currently, about 70% of haulage activity at Port Klang take place during peak hours, contributing to congestion and delays.
The port saw a 9% increase in container volume in 2024, putting further pressure on surrounding roads. To address the issue, the Port Klang Authority (PKA) set up a special task force in January to study traffic patterns and recommended measures that included the introduction of these off-peak incentives.
'The goal is to spread out truck movements and reduce traffic during busy hours. This will not only ease congestion but also make our roads safer for everyone,' said Loke.
When asked about yesterday's meeting between ministers and the Prime Minister, Loke confirmed that no reshuffling was mentioned at the occasion.
'Yes, there was a meeting with the Prime Minister, but I was not informed of any Cabinet changes. The Prime Minister said the Transport Minister remains,' he replied when asked whether the discussion centred on filling the two vacant ministerial posts.
The vacancies arose following the resignations of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad this week as Economy Minister and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister respectively.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
20 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Pulau Gaya residents receive lifelong learning
Sim (third right) presenting a RM10,000 contribution to the SK Pulau Gaya PIBG, while Phoong (fourth right) and Ashim (right) look on. KOTA KINABALU (June 1): The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) and the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) have extended their human capital development initiatives directly to the residents of Pulau Gaya through the 'Sentuhan Kesuma Bersama HRD Corp di Bawah Bayu' community-focused programme. Officiated by Kesuma Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, the event reflects the ministry's strong commitment to ensuring that lifelong learning and training opportunities are accessible even to remote communities. In conjunction with HRD Corp's flagship annual event, the National Training Week (NTW) 2025, themed 'Learning Without Borders', this initiative in Pulau Gaya is a reflection of the main objective of ensuring equal access to quality training opportunities for all, regardless of location or background. The programme brought together over 450 residents from four local villages: Kampung Gaya, Kampung Lok Urai, Kampung Torong Logong and Kampung Kesuapan, who took part in a series of training sessions specifically designed for women, youth and students. These included workshops on flower arrangement entrepreneurship, digital marketing and drop shipping, as well as motivational sessions to inspire academic excellence. In his speech, Sim stressed that officers from each agency under Kesuma should always go down to the countryside including Pulau Gaya to provide the services required, including skills training. 'We want all citizens to be given skills so that they can generate higher income. When the citizens are more skilled, the country will also be more advanced. 'Next week, HRD Corp will launch the National Training Week 2025, and we will make sure we go back to Gaya Island and provide new skills to at least 5,000 residents of this island. 'For 2025, our target is to provide training to 60,000 participants from all over Sabah, compared to 15,000 last year,' he said. Meanwhile, State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe in his speech also stressed the need to bring more skills training to Sabah in order to open up more job opportunities. 'Such skills training can not only provide higher job opportunities and income, but it can also attract large-scale investment to Sabah, thus changing the fate of the people as a whole,' he said. During the same programme, HRD Corp also collaborated with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) for the strategic initiative 'Sabah Human Capital Initiatives & Nurturing Excellence (SHiNE)', an innovative platform that will function as the first lifelong learning hub of its kind in Malaysia, focusing on research, skills training and real-world talent development solutions tailored to meet the needs of the local and future workforce. According to HRD Corp board of directors deputy chairman Ahsim Jamat, he is confident that the SHiNE initiative will become a national reference model for talent and human capital development, thereby positively impacting the economic growth and well-being of the people in Sabah and Malaysia. More meaningfully, Sunday's programme also included the Industry and Community Training Collaboration Centre, where local tourism sector employers received benefits from HRD Corp's Training Facilities and Modification Scheme (ALAT) with the support of training equipment worth RM36,000 to enhance local skills training capabilities. Reflecting Kesuma's focus on holistic well-being, Sim also presented a Corporate Social Responsibility contribution in the form of 700 safety jackets for daily boat passengers, food baskets for 300 families around Pulau Gaya as well as a cash donation of RM20,000 to the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) of SMK Pulau Gaya and SK Pulau Gaya. The programme was also attended by Kuching Member of Parliament Dr Kelvin Yii; UMS registrar Luqman Ridha Anwar and Jesselton University College president Professor Dr Chin Yuk Fong.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
‘Stamp duty for job contracts another burden for businesses'
PETALING JAYA: Exempting employment contracts from stamp duty would ease unnecessary financial and administrative burdens, say industry players. They argue the added pressure is especially difficult for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), already grappling with economic uncertainty and labour shortage. The appeal comes as the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) begins actively enforcing stamp duty payments on employment-related documents under the Stamp Duty Audit Framework, effective Jan 1. Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia treasurer-general Datuk Koong Lin Loong said employment contracts should be specifically exempted from stamp duty, similar to what is practised in Singapore and Thailand. 'Employment contracts are a day-to-day matter. This is not a one-off legal document. 'Especially in Malaysia's current situation, where we are already struggling with talent outflow to Singapore and elsewhere, this is not the right time to add another burden,' he said when contacted yesterday. Koong added that the law, enacted in 1949, is 'very outdated' and should be amended before any enforcement framework is applied. While the legal requirement to stamp employment contracts has existed under the Stamp Act 1949, it had not been widely practised until now. Under the Act, employers must stamp all employment contracts – including full-time, part-time, fixed-term and short-term – within 30 days of execution, at a flat rate of RM10 per contract. However, failure to comply can now trigger a late penalty of up to RM100 per instrument, compounding costs for businesses with high staff turnover or a large workforce. 'The exemption would also remove unnecessary bureaucracy from HR departments, which already have more strategic tasks to focus on,' Koong said. In Singapore, even letters of appointment are considered non-dutiable, Koong added. 'We need that kind of business-friendly environment if we want to remain competitive and attract foreign direct investment.' Echoing this, national president of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association Datuk William Ng criticised the abrupt nature of the enforcement. 'There was insufficient notice, engagement or support from authorities. It feels more punitive than developmental,' he said, adding that the costs would go beyond the RM10 per document. 'The automatic late penalty of up to RM100 per contract means businesses with hundreds of employees, including those hired years ago, are facing a significant retrospective burden. 'HR teams must now comb through old contracts, stamp minor amendments and issue backdated documents. This is overwhelming for small teams,' he said. Ng proposed either exempting standard employment contracts or implementing a simplified compliance mechanism such as optional stamping unless required in court or a digital self-declaration model for SMEs. SME Association of Malaysia president Ding Hong Sing said stakeholders should have been consulted first. 'We are already dealing with so much – minimum wage increases, inflation, recruitment challenges. Now this? 'Even if it's a small amount, it adds up fast when you have many staffers. At least inform us before enforcing,' he said. MCA vice-president and Economic and SME Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Lawrence Low also called for an amnesty period to allow employers to stamp past contracts without penalty. He warned that the current approach could disrupt business operations, hinder hiring and even affect salaries. While the stamp duty is legally enforceable under the Act, Low said clearer guidelines and more communication are urgently needed.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Concert organisers encouraged to apply for CEMI
KULAI: The Communications Ministry encourages concert and large-scale, high-impact event organisers to register with the new Concert and Event in Malaysia Incentives (CEMI) initiative to enjoy financial rebates. Its deputy minister, Teo Nie Ching said this initiative not only applies to the organisation of international concerts and events but also involves local artists in large-scale programmes within the country. According to her, RM10 million is allocated annually and applications have been open from May 15 and ends July 10. 'This programme is managed by MyCreative Ventures (MyCV), with the support of the Communications Ministry, focusing on organising concerts and high-impact events, particularly involving capacities exceeding 15,000 spectators with the participation of local and international artists. This is a new initiative introduced by the government to further invigorate the local arts industry,' she said at a press conference after officiating the Kulai parliamentary level SPM 2024 Excellent Student Contribution Programme at the Kulai Parliamentary District Education Office (PPD) here today. She said that there are several main conditions that organisers must comply with to qualify for the incentive, including having experience in organising large-scale events, with a capacity of 15,000 people within three years from the date of application. 'For financing of international artists, organisers need a minimum of 20 per cent of the total Qualifying Malaysian Concert and Event Spend (QMCES) with at least 30 per cent involvement of Malaysians to qualify for 30 per cent of the actual QMCES expenditure or a maximum of RM1.5 million (whichever is lower). The rebate will be fully disbursed after the project is completed and the final report is approved. 'For financing of local artists, on the other hand, the rebate distribution is the same, but the organisers must spend 70 per cent of the total QMCES in Malaysia to qualify for 30 per cent of the actual QMCES expenditure or a maximum of RM1 million (whichever is lower),' she said. In other developments, Teo, who is also the Kulai Member of Parliament, said a total of 107, 687 fraudulent contents or scams were removed by platform providers at the request of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) from January to April 15. She said that among the most frequently removed content were online gambling and scams. 'As of April 15, the takedowns carried out by the platform provider at the request of MCMC amounted to 107,687, with the majority being 57,669 related to gambling and 30,427 related to scams,' she also said. Therefore, she added, the public is advised to be more cautious and not easily be deceived by content or advertisements that promise high returns in a short period to avoid becoming victims of fraud.
