FREEING MALAY LAND: (Aug 19) All Malay reserve land can be transferred to non-Malays for development on a 60-year lease as part of an overhaul of land laws to be tabled in Parliament next month. The amendments include allowing Malay reserve land to be leased to selected financial institutions and allow it to be jointly developed by the owners and others, including non-Malays. There are 4.7 million hectares of Malay reserve land and the amendments will enhance its commercial value and allow the owners to get adequate financing if they want to develop the land.
FAIRER MAID CONTRACT: (Aug 14) Foreign maids and their employers can now end the two-year employment contract without either party suffering undue financial loss. The Government hopes to curb the problem of runaway maids and minimise cases of maid abuse with the new ruling, which came into effect on Aug 10. Home Affairs Minister Datuk Azmi Khalid said this was one of several government measures to address problems relating to foreign maids.
