Latest news with #Amendment)Bill2025
HKFP
3 days ago
- Business
- HKFP
Hong Kong's legislature passes bill to increase airport departure tax to HK$200, effective from Oct 1
Hong Kong's airport departure tax will increase to HK$200 starting from October 1, after lawmakers passed a bill on Wednesday to green light the raise. Out of 84 lawmakers who took part in the vote on the Air Passenger Departure Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025, 77 voted in favour. Two lawmakers voted against the bill while five abstained. The increase will see the city's airport departure tax for adults rise from the current HK$120 to HK$200, representing a 67 per cent hike. The tax is built into the cost of flight tickets, and those purchased before October 1 will not be affected. Joseph Chan, the acting secretary for financial services and the treasury, said in the Legislative Council on Wednesday that the tax hike is expected to bring the government an additional revenue of around HK$1.6 billion. He acknowledged that some lawmakers had expressed worry that the increase would weaken the competitiveness of the Hong Kong International Airport, but said the government has already struck a balance between increasing revenue and reducing the impact on passengers. The official added that the airport departure tax has not been increased in 22 years, and that the government believes a raise of HK$80 was affordable. Perry Yiu, a lawmaker for the tourism sector, was one of the two who voted against the bill. He criticised the government for rejecting the industry's proposal for a phased tax increase and halving the raise, adding that the higher tax would negatively affect the economy's recovery. Gary Zhang, a legislator who also voted down the bill, said the government did not provide a scientific analysis into the impact of the tax raise on different groups of passengers, especially those preferring budget airlines. Exemptions expanded Currently, passengers who arrive and depart Hong Kong within the same day are exempted from the airport departure tax. Chan said authorities are planning to extend the exemption to those departing within the next day, meaning those who stay in the city for less than 48 hours would not have to pay the tax, following lawmakers' suggestions. The government also plans to exempt those transiting through the airport after arriving via land or sea ports, a move to attract more passengers from the Greater Bay Area, Chan said. He said the government is drafting relevant subsidiary legislation and will submit it to the legislature 'as soon as possible' to allow the two exemptions to be implemented on October 1. 'I would like to emphasise that the two exemptions… are expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of the Hong Kong International Airport for transit passengers, and these transit travellers will also drive… the hotel, dining, and retail sectors in Hong Kong,' Chan said in Cantonese.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak Assembly sitting adjourns sine die; six bills passed
KUCHING: The 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting adjourned sine die today, after eight days of proceedings since May 19, during which six bills were passed with an overwhelming majority. The State Assembly Speaker, Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, announced the adjournment, after a motion to adjourn was tabled by Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963, and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill 2025, the first bill passed by the assembly, seeks to broaden the Centre's powers by enabling it to commercialise intellectual property, apply for external funding, and form subsidiary companies to bring research outputs to market. This was followed by the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025, which, among other provisions, establishes a formal mechanism for the registration of waqf, or religious endowment lands, in the Sarawak land registry. Other bills passed included the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill, the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill approving an additional allocation of RM153,769,197, and the Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill for RM237,660,520.
Borneo Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Amended Land Code accommodates endowments for all religions in Sarawak, says Daro rep
Safiee Ahmad KUCHING (May 21): The Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was passed in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday, is significant because it introduced a new legal framework to govern matters relating to wakaf and endowment. Safiee Ahmad (GPS-Daro) said this is intended to formalise the registration and management of wakaf and endowment lands. According to him, the amendment is not exclusive to any one religion, but has the inclusive intent of accommodating all religions practiced in Sarawak. 'Under this framework, landowners who wish to endow or dedicate their lands for religious or welfare purposes will now have a clear, efficient, and legally secure pathway to do so. 'No more unnecessary red tape and, most importantly, the noble intentions of landowners will no longer be hindered by legal uncertainty,' he said. He said as Sarawak is a land of many cultures, ethnicities, and religions, the state's strength lies in Sarawakians' ability to live together in peace despite these differences. 'Therefore, it is only fitting that our laws evolve to reflect this multireligious and multicultural to ensure that such contributions are safeguarded and properly utilised for the benefit of future generations,' he said. He stated the amendments also introduce clear and enforceable provisions to regulate the transportation of rock materials out of Sarawak. 'This is a critical step in ensuring that our natural resources are responsibly managed and that Sarawak's rightful revenue from these resources is properly collected. 'By making licensing requirements legally enforceable and enabling the effective collection of fees and royalties, we are protecting not only our environment but also the economic interests of the state,' he explained. He opined the move conveys a clear and firm message that the illegal extraction and transport of rock materials will not be condoned, and that all operators, whether from the public or private sector, are required to adhere strictly to established procedures. The introduction of stringent penalties through the amendments serve as a critical deterrent against unlawful activities that deplete the state's natural resources, he said. He stressed it is imperative that the law remains resolute and that its enforcement is both consistent and credible. Safiee pointed out that approval periods for development proposals are now aligned with updated policies of the State Planning Authority (SPA) for greater certainty and efficiency in the planning process, reducing unnecessary delays, and improving transparency. Additionally, the amendments introduce a new requirement for the submission of as-built utility data, a progressive step that supports the creation of a 3D utility mapping framework and the formation of dedicated committees. 'This is not just about data. It is about building the foundation for integrated spatial planning, underground infrastructure management, and ultimately, the Smart City vision of Sarawak. 'With accurate, real-time utility data, we can plan more intelligently, prevent costly infrastructure clashes, and build more sustainable urban centres,' he added. endowment lands Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025 lead Safiee Ahmad
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Tebedu rep: Amendments to biodiversity ordinance can end biopiracy
KUCHING (May 21): Biopiracy can be prevented and stopped following the amendments to the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Ordinance, said Dr Simon Sinang Bada (GPS-Tebedu). He said the amendment to Section 6 of the Ordinance opens the door for the Sarawak Biodiversity Council (SBC) to create, develop, apply and own intellectual property rights for all its research and development (R&D) work. '(This) will protect the Council from the threat of potential biopiracy),' he said in his debate supporting the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) yesterday. He also cited the insertion of Section 6A in the amended Ordinance would allow the SBC to incorporate a company to commercialise its research findings. He said this would attract both local and foreign investors to invest in Sarawak, and would greatly contribute and improve Sarawak's socio-economic standing in line with its Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 'The groundbreaking research and development leveraging our abundant hydropower resources to support The Net Zero and Carbon Plan, and the SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) developed from microalgae is a classic example that requires this Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Bill to be amended accordingly to meet the current needs and requirements. 'The findings from the research could be commercialised to monetise their findings—R&D is an expensive investment. It is right that this investment can be recouped, recovered and for the council to profit from their R&D. The partnering and collaborations with Mitsubishi Corporation had unlocked the full potential of outdoor algae cultivation,' he said. Meanwhile, Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor (GPS – Lingga) said the amended Ordinance is a critical enabler that empowers the SBC to build upon its existing achievements, effectively pursue its mission, and realise its ambitious vision for the future of biodiversity management in Sarawak. She explained this Bill strengthens the SBC's role as a leading force in conservation and sustainable development, by aligning its capabilities with Sarawak's broader economic and environmental goals. 'For example, imagine the SBC successfully isolated a compound with medicinal properties. This amendment would allow them to patent the compound, license it to a pharmaceutical company, and use the royalties to fund further research into other promising natural resources,' she said in her debate in support of the Bill.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Slew of bills sail through upper house
The Senate on Monday passed a number of bills including a proposed piece of legislation seeking to amend an earlier law with regard to formation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority. The bill to amend the CPEC Authority Act 2022 was presented by Senator Abdul Qadir. The house passed the bill unanimously. The bill to amend the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965, presented by Senator Mohsin Aziz, was also approved. It was originally introduced by Senator Shahadat Awan. The bill to amend the Pakistan Names and Emblems (Unauthorized Use) Act, 1957 was also approved in 2023. This bill was also introduced by Senator Shahadat Awan of the PPP. The Senate also passed a bill for the prevention of child marriages amid protest by the JUI-F. The National Commission for the Status of Women (Amendment) Bill 2025, presented by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, was withdrawn. Similarly, the bill to amend the Human Rights Act 2012, also presented by Senator Zehri, was withdrawn. Earlier, a bill to amend the Indecent Advertisements Act 1963 was introduced in the house by Senator Afnan Ullah and was referred to the relevant committee.
