Visit Malaysia Year, youth age revision and new policies kick off Jan 1

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will see the implementation of several major developments that will have both direct and indirect effects on daily life and the country from Jan 1, 2026. 

Beyond shifts in geopolitics, the economy, society and international relations, several new policies and regulations are set to take effect next year. 

Among the key measures expected to be enforced is the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Act 2025, which introduces stiffer penalties for minor littering offences in public areas. 

Any individual, including foreigners, found littering in public places will be fined RM2,000 and required to perform 12 hours of community service within six months. 

On the same date, the Online Safety Act, which strengthens the regulation of harmful online content, will also be enforced. 

Social media platforms and internet messaging services with more than eight million users in Malaysia will no longer be required to apply for operating licences but will remain fully subject to all provisions of Malaysian law.

The move is aimed at ensuring platform providers are held accountable for addressing illegal content, including online scams, the spread of false information, misuse of fake accounts and crimes involving children. 

The government will also implement a regulatory sandbox programme to assess child protection mechanisms and user safety in the digital space before rolling them out fully. 

A sandbox refers to a regulatory testing framework commonly used in technology and digital sectors, allowing stakeholders to trial new approaches, mechanisms or technologies in a controlled environment before full implementation. 

Among other measures, the Transport Ministry said traffic summonses, compound rates and payment methods will be standardised between the Road Transport Department and the police. 

Under the new structure, a 50 per cent reduction will be given for payments made within one to 15 days, 33 per cent for payments made between 16 and 30 days, while the maximum rate will apply for payments between 31 and 60 days. For offences unpaid after 61 days, court action or blacklisting measures will be imposed. 

Malaysia will also see the youth age limit revised to 30 years, down from the current upper limit of 40. 

The amendment not only lowers the youth age threshold but also sets the age limit for leaders or office bearers of youth organisations between 18 and 30 years, with a tenure cap of four years. 

Next month will also bring good news for civil servants, with the implementation of phase two of the salary adjustment under the public service remuneration system. 

This includes a three per cent pay rise for top management and increases of up to seven per cent for professional and support staff. 

In addition, the government will extend the mandatory implementation of the e-Invoicing system to businesses with annual sales of between RM1 million and RM5 million as part of tax digitalisation efforts. 

Small enterprises are currently exempted up to a turnover of RM500,000, with deferments and phased implementation adjustments introduced to ensure a smooth transition. 

Malaysia will also host Visit Malaysia Year 2026, which is seen as a major opportunity for the tourism sector amid recovering global demand and regional mobility, benefiting aviation, hospitality, retail, food and beverage, and related services. 

With a target of 26.1 million foreign tourist arrivals and an estimated RM97.6 billion in domestic tourism expenditure, a comprehensive framework has been drawn up to revitalise the sector as a key engine of economic growth. 

To achieve these targets, the government has allocated RM350 million to intensify tourism promotions and activities, positioning Malaysia to reclaim its status as a leading global tourism destination.

-nst online.