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News Wrap-up: Najib pleads not guilty to money laundering charges, Finance Ministry imposes service tax on gambling

Aug 08, 2018

Najib claims trial yet again

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has pleaded not guilty on three counts of money laundering, linked to SRC International.

If convicted, he can be imprisoned for up to 15 years and a fined up to RM5 million.

The new charges comes a month after Najib claimed trial on four counts of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power.

All seven charges will be heard together at the same court.

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MOF to impose service tax on gambling activities

Service tax will be charged on all gambling related activities when SST comes into force next month. 

The Finance Ministry says this includes numbers forecasts, lotteries, and bets on horse racing. 

In addition, the 6% service tax will also apply to airline and charter services, except for those in Sabah and Sarawak.

Service tax will also cover IT services and domestic electric supply, if the usage exceeds 600 units.

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RFID toll trials to begin next month

Public trials of the new Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID toll collection system will begin next month, at selected highways in the Klang Valley. 

Touch N Go says the highways include the BESRAYA, KESAS, LDP, and DUKE.

The RFID system is expected to go online at all highways nationwide from next year.

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Balakong and Seri Setia by-elections to be held together

The Balakong and Seri Setia by-elections will be held simultaneously

The Election Commission has set nomination day on August 18th, while polling day takes palce two weeks later, on September 8th.

The Seri Setia state seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Prof Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin, while Balakong incumbent Eddie Ng was killed in a road accident.

Image source: Malaysian Insight