Asean Trade Centre to be opened in Johor Bahru

How was your 2010 New Year celebration? We hoped that you have enjoyed yourself. Since the year is still new, these are the things to expect in 2010:

• The Police in Johor, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor must achieve a reduction of crime rate by 20% in 50 identified hotspots. We hope that they could reduce more.
• 100,000 university students are eligible for the netbook package. RM50 for 2 years for a netbook with free broadband.
• Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be back in court on Jan 25 for his sodomy trial. This will be interesting.
• The Lotus 1Malaysia Formula One team debuts at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 12. If the 2010 Formula 1 Malaysia Grand Prix (Kuala Lumpur) which is scheduled between 02 – 04 Apr is too far for you, then there’s still the 2010 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix between 24 – 26 Sep 2010.
• World Cup 2010 kicks off on June 11 in South Africa.
• 16 September is a public holiday to celebrate Malaysia day. The day we welcome Sabah and Sarawak.
• Amendments to the ISA to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
• Students are only allowed to take 10 core subjects and two elective subjects for SPM.
• AFTA starts yesterday and this will see prices of some 1,943 items, imported from other ASEAN countries, coming down.
• Expect more tax. Goods and Services tax (GST) to be debated in Parliament. If passed, a 4% rate will be imposed on all purchases except for essential items.
• Cigarettes will now cost RM6.40 per pack of 20s. You should put Stop Smoking as one of your New Year Resolutions.
• Sugar price increased by 20sen per KG. However, the teh tarik this morning is still at the same old price.
• RM50 service tax for credit cards and RM25 for supplementary cards.

p/s
Luckily for Johoreans, the mas kahwin was not increased like Selangor.

1. Happy New Year!