Malaysia Daily update

• Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has announced new rates for taxi and express bus fares effective 1 April 2015.
• Distance fares for budget taxis in Kuala Lumpur will increase from 10 sen for 115m to 25 sen per 200m, while express bus fares will rise from 9.3 sen per km to 11.4 sen per km from 1 April.
• The base rate for both Klang Valley and Penang budget taxis remains unchanged at RM3. However, for Teksi1M the base rate goes up from RM3 to RM4.

Healthcare Sector -

Consultancy fee of doctors to be subject to GST
The Star reported that consultancy fees of doctors who rent space at private hospitals would be charged the 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST). According to Customs Department GST Director Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy, doctors employed by private hospitals will be exempted but private consultants renting space in hospital would be subject to GST as these consultants do not come under the payroll of the private hospital.


Transportation Sector -

1. KTM Berhad also announced fare hikes effective 1 May 2015 with the quantum to be announced on 1 Apr 2015. KTM Komuter’s last fare adjustment was 12 years ago, while KTM Intercity’s basic fares have not changed for over 25 years. Various new discounts are on offer in the 18%-35% range for stored value cards, weekly pass and monthly pass.

2. AirAsia Bhd will sell 11 aircraft, worth US$271mn, says Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes. He said gross proceeds from the sale would amount to US$271mn while profits would accrue to US$45mn. AirAsia has 150 aircraft worth US$2bn. (BusinessTimes)


CPI in M'sia:-