Berita MICCI initiatives and Exploring Business ... · initiatives and advocacy undertaken ... ! can be 100 percent foreign ownership. ... (Zaid Ibrahim & Co) PIC: Ilyani Yusof ...

Berita MICCI highlights the latest initiatives and advocacy undertaken by the Chamber and its Councils on behalf of MICCI Members.

MICCI was among a 12-member delegation led by the President of the Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), Amb. Benedicto Yujuico that visited Brunei Darussalam from 26-27 March 2014.

The visit was organised and hosted by the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei (NCCIBD) with the objective to facilitate an avenue for the visiting delegation to meet local businessmen and key government officials to exchange views and information on current economic conditions in Brunei.

NCCIBD President, Haji Razali bin Haji Johari stated that the visit was indeed a timely affair as the government was in the second phase of its long-term development framework for a 30-year period beginning in 2007 (known as Brunei Vision 2035) – which presents opportunities for trade and investment activities. He noted under the National Development Plan 2035, Brunei's per capita income is expected to be within those of the top 10 countries in the world. !The two-day visit comprised a few prominent meetings in particular with the Brunei Association of Banks, led by its Chairman, Todd Wilcox; PetroleumBRUNEI, led by its Strategic Planning Director, Jalleh Salleh; Brunei Investment Agency, headed by its Chairman and current Minister of Education, YB Pehin Dato Haji Abu Bakar Apong; Minister of Health, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan; and Brunei Economic Development Board, Chairman and Deputy Minister of Brunei, YM Dato Haji Ali bin Haji Apong. !In conversation with the Deputy Minister of Brunei, a number of reasons on why foreign companies should consider Brunei as an investment destination were highlighted. Among them included:- !

• Stable and prosperous country with excellent infrastructure and strategically located within the ASEAN group of countries.

                     continued…  

BERITAEdition 16/2014 29 Apr 2014

MICCI C-8-8, Plaza Mont‘ Kiara,

No.2 Jalan Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

tel: 03-6201 7708 fax: 03-6201 7705

http://www.micci.com

MICCI - The Premier Advocate for the Business Community

CONTENTS PAGE

Exploring Business Opportunities in Brunei

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IGP Solicits Assistance From Industry Players To Curb Crime

2

Shaping Malaysia’s Private Security Sector

3

Surge in Cargo Hijacking Worrisome 3

Contacts & Links 4

1

Exploring Business Opportunities in Brunei

CACCI Delegation with NCCIBD Secretariat and Members

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• Stable and prosperous country with excellent infrastructure and strategically located within the ASEAN group of countries. !

• No personal income tax, sales tax, payroll, manufacturing or export taxes. In addition, approved foreign investors can also enjoy company tax holiday of up to 11 years. !

• Regulations relating to foreign participation in equity are flexible and in many instances, there can be 100 percent foreign ownership. !

• The costs of utilities are among the lowest in the region. !

• Stable political situation and the absence of natural catastrophes. !

The mission to Brunei proved to be an insightful and valuable experience as it allowed for the delegation to attain information on business conditions in the country and opportunities for foreign trade and investments. In addition, the business meetings provided an avenue for MICCI to foster closer ties with businesses in the country and to promote and publicise the forthcoming 28th CACCI Conference to be held in Malaysia from 17-19 September 2014.

More information on this international conference can be accessed at www.cacci2014.micci.com.

For further information please contact Jude Liew at [email protected]. !!!IGP Solicits Assistance From Industry Players To Curb Crime

!MICCI’s Joint Action Security Council (JASCO) met with the Inspector General of Police, YDH Tan Sri Dato' Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and his team on 14 March 2014 with the aim to get an update on the latest initiatives from the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) and to highlight certain security issues affecting MICCI members. !Tan Sri Khalid informed that the overall security situation in the country was at a satisfactory level and that RMP is very receptive with working closely with the private sector and trade organisations in its on-going efforts to reduce crime and enhance its services. He took the liberty to highlight a few matters namely the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA), public perception of the police and RMP’s resources, equipment and intelligence. !With regards to the PCA, which only recently came into force, Tan Sri stated that the Act awards superior authority to the Court on any action to be taken refuting suggestions that the police may abuse its power. On public perception of the police, he informed that a new unit

known as the Department of Crime Prevention and Suppression has been formed to increase public awareness on security measures undertaken and to raise RMP’s image in the public eye. Thus far, the department has been aggressively engaging with various parties through open dialogues, public forums and roadshows. Meanwhile, RMP’s R&D department has been actively collaborating with academicians and professionals of University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) to improve its efficiency and intelligence. !Tan Sri Khalid expressed RMP’s appreciation to MICCI and JASCO for continuously contributing towards the enhancement of the police force and the business industry. He welcomed further collaborations from the private sector in sharing their expertise on new technologies and to establish more platforms for industry engagements. !For further information please contact Ilyani Yusof at [email protected]. !!

JASCO Chairman, Rajan Mittal handing a token of appreciation to Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar

for your further information we recommend…(click title to download) !1. WB: Global Economic Prospects [42.6MB]

2. IMF: World Economic Outlook, Apr 2014 [8.5MB] !3. ADB: Asian Economic Integration Monitor [2.3MB]

4. ABD: Asia SME Finance Monitor [2.5MB] !5. ADB: Asian Development Outlook 2014 [6MB] !

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Shaping Malaysia’s Private Security Sector !The nation has for some time now focused on the many issues surrounding private security firms, even more so after several recent incidents involving security guards made the headlines. In its efforts to strengthen this sector and to identify new collaboration initiatives, MICCI’s Joint Action Security Council (JASCO) met with the President of the Security Services Association of Malaysia (SSAM), Datuk Hj Shaheen Mirza Habib on 28 March 2014. !Presently, there are about 750 private security firms comprising 235,000 security guards in the country. This sector has witnessed a rise in annual growth primarily due to the burgeoning infrastructure development. To meet the demand for security guards, certain private security firms leased out their licenses to smaller firms, which in turn were involved in hiring illegal guards. !Under the Private Employment Agencies Act 1971, only Malaysian citizens with no criminal background can be hired as guards with the exception of Nepalese citizens with military background and no criminal record. Those who were caught harbouring or hiring illegal guards can be fined up to RM20,000 or jail or both. According to Datuk Shaheen, there are still considerable concerns affecting this sector, mainly due to poor vetting procedures, lack of training and quality guards, and the

issue of adhering to the minimum wage policy. !JASCO Chairman, Rajan Mittal, stated that many companies might still be unaware of the Act and suggested that SSAM produce some guidelines or a checklist on the proper procedures when hiring security guards. The Chamber would gladly assist in creating awareness and circulate these guidelines to its Members, in addition to exploring greater collaborations with SSAM for the betterment of this sector. !For further information please contact Ilyani Yusof at [email protected]. !!!!!!!!!!!Surge In Cargo Hijacking Worrisome !Combating crime against businesses is vital in supporting private investments and to strengthen investor confidence. MICCI’s Joint

Action Security Council (JASCO) has been at the forefront in engaging with the Royal Malaysian Police on commercial and industrial related crime. !Following the Council’s first meeting in January, which was graciously hosted by Taylor’s Education Group, it was brought to light that while the overall crime index in 2013 declined in the third and fourth quarter, the number of cases involving cargo hijacks and warehouse break-ins were still relatively high. !Statistics on hijackings and warehouse break-ins compiled from MICCI members revealed that in 2012, 74 cases were reported amounting to losses estimated at RM2.1 million, while in 2013, there were 72 cases with losses amounting to RM6 million. Since January this year, 3 cases have been reported with losses estimated at RM4.5 million raising concern amongst manufacturers on how facile the information on movement of freights, its contents and value are obtained. !According to a representative of Bukit Aman’s Cargo Crime Division, most of the cases were attributed to information leaking out from within the victim company. In the effort to curb these crimes, JASCO has outlined several initiatives for 2014 that will include mock drills of warehouse break-ins and cargo hijacking, task force meetings with the various police contingents and the IGP’s office; and collaborations with the relevant authorities such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, Road Transport Department, Security Services Association of Malaysia, PLUS Berhad and Port Authorities to name a few. !The Chamber firmly believes that with regular engagement and programmes under the umbrella of JASCO, MICCI members would be well informed and equipped on safety and security measures to safeguard their businesses. !For further information please contact Ilyani Yusof at [email protected].

Rajan Mittal presenting a memento to Datuk Shaheen Mirza

JASCO Members with Police representatives during the Council meeting at Taylor’s Education Group

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MICCI Councils & Focus GroupsEconomic Policy & Taxation Council Chair: Kang Beng Hoe (Taxand Malaysia Sdn Bhd) PIC: Wong Hin Wei ([email protected]) !Trade & Investment Council Chair: Tay Beng Chai (Tay & Partners) PIC: Wong Hin Wei ([email protected]) !Services (CSIM) Council Chair: Ken Pushpanathan (MICPA) PIC: Wong Hin Wei ([email protected]) !Environment & Natural Resources Council Chair: Dato’ Kok Wee Kiat (Bata (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd) PIC: Ilyani Yusof ([email protected]) !Joint Action Security Council (JASCO) Chair: Rajan Mittal (Metrod Malaysia Sdn Bhd) PIC: Ilyani Yusof ([email protected]) !Legal & IP Council Chair: Linda Wang (Zaid Ibrahim & Co) PIC: Ilyani Yusof ([email protected])

Logistics & Infrastructure Council Chair: Chris Thiagarajah (SkyBus Ventures Sdn Bhd) PIC: Chang Hou Yea ([email protected]) !Human Capital Council Chair: TBA PIC: Chang Hou Yea ([email protected]) !Domestic Affairs Council Chair: Amnah Shaari (Beyond Corporate House Sdn Bhd) PIC: Chang Hou Yea ([email protected]) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Trade Facilitation Focus Group Chair: Raja Kumaran (PricewaterhouseCoopers) PIC: Wong Hin Wei ([email protected]) !Education Focus Group Chair: Tina Yeung (The University of Sheffield) PIC: Chang Hou Yea ([email protected]) !Tourism Focus Group Chair: Jenny Shabudin (Travcheq Travel Sdn Bhd) PIC: Ilyani Yusof ([email protected])

Headquarters (KL & Selangor) Stewart Forbes Executive Director tel: 03-6201 7708 email: [email protected] !Penang & The North Priscilla Dawson Branch Executive tel: 04-227 0589 email: [email protected] !Perak Subasini Uthra Branch Executive tel: 05-253 2233 email: [email protected] !Johor Nicole Struys Branch Executive tel: 07-221 2358 email: [email protected]

East Coast (Administrated by MICCI HQ) Khamini Loganathan Assistant Manager tel: 03-6201 7708 email: [email protected] !Malacca & N.Sembilan (Administrated by MICCI HQ) Khamini Loganathan Assistant Manager tel: 03-6201 7708 email: [email protected] !Sabah Stella Liew Branch Executive tel: 088-248 332 email: [email protected] !Associate Chamber Datuk Abang Hj Abdul Karim, President Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) tel: 082-237 148 email: [email protected]

MICCI Contacts

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