Malaysia Budget 2019 Summary and Highlights

Looking for a simple Malaysia Budget 2019, here is a summary of the Malaysia Budget 2019. So what are the goodies and tax in store for the Malaysian citizen?

1. 2019 Deficit of 3.4% of GDP.

2. Education to get 19% of the 2019 budget. 📕

3. To launch airport REIT ✈

4. Airport Departure tax RM20 to ASEAN country, RM 40 to other countries from July 2019. 🤨

3. RPGT for houses. Tax on citizens 5% after 5-year holding period, for foreigners, increase from 5% to 10%.  🏠

4. Property Stamp duty from 3% to 4%.

5. Casino duty 35%. Jackpot duty 20%  🎰

6. RM5b grant for low-income households & children 👶

7. RM2b petrol subsidy for cars <1500cc 🚗

8. All luxury items, Cars and Handbags will see higher tax 👜

9. Inland Revenue Board IRB to be given more power to investigate ostentatious lifestyle which is not in line with income. 💰

10. Amnesty of previously undeclared income:

• From Now until Mar 2019 10% tax
• Apr to Jun 2019 15% tax
• After Jun 2019 80% to 300% tax

11. MACC Anti-corruption agency to see an increase of 100 👮‍♀ officers.

12. 40 sen/ litre - Sugar tax on drinks. 🍹

13. No smoking in restaurants from 1-1-19 🚬

14. No toll hike for 2019. 🚗

15. Min wage set at RM1100. 

16. P2P lending/ crowdfunding. A buyer can purchase a home worth RM250,000.00 by paying only RM50,000 while the balance is financed by investors through the peer-to-peer scheme. 🏡

17. Tax exemption for the money market wholesale fund to end 31-12-18. 💸

18. A tax cut on bond and Sukuk issues.

19. Establish special taskforce for developing Islamic banking. 💰

20. Foreign worker levy for agriculture reduced from RM10k to RM3.5k pa. 🚜

21. Pangkor and Penang port cruise centre to be duty-free. 🛳

22. 7 days leave for religious trips. For both Muslims and non-Muslims.

23. Malaysia to issue a 10 year ¥200b Samurai Bond at 0.65%. 

Watch the Malaysia Budget 2019 in 2 Minutes

Cono Sur Wine Pairing Dinner @Samplings On The Fourteenth Berjaya Times Square Hotel

Cono Sur was founded in 1993, with the vision of producing premium, expressive and innovative wines that convey the spirit of the New World. Cono Sur switches from conventional agriculture to an integrated vineyard management, a system that favours the use of natural alternatives to fertilize and to prevent and control pests and diseases.

We had the chance to be hosted by the Chilean Cono Sur Wine dinner featuring Asia’s Export Manager - Mr Jose Tomas Gillet on 16th October 2018 (Tuesday) 7.30pm at Samplings On The Fourteenth, Berjaya Times Square Hotel.

The award-winning Samplings On The Fourteenth Restaurant provides diners with an exquisite fine-dining experience in KL where delicate culinary creations are paired tastefully with a selection of 4 Cono Sur wine exclusively crafted and presented by the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Chef Val.

"Exquisite Cono Sur Wine Pairing Dinner at Samplings On The Fourteenth - Mr James Tomas Gillet"

The dinner started with an appetiser named of Carpaccio of Salmon - Peppers Terrine and Pickles with Citrus Dressing which is paired with Cono Sur Reserve Especial Chardonnay 2016 which has a blend of a fruity taste of pineapple and orange. This wine is ideal to drink with dishes of seafood, salad and white meat.

This is then followed up with a warm appetiser which is Smoked Duck Breast which is served with Polenta Cutlet with Mushroom Fiscasee and paired with  Cono Sur Reserve Especial Pinot Noir 2016 which has a distinct taste of a combination of plum, morello cherry and raspberry. with a subtle coffee and chocolate hints.

For the soup of the night, we were presented with the Jerusalem Artichoke Veloute with Chicken Quenelle with a dash of green oil.

For the palate cleanser, we were served with the Citrus Sorbet.

Next the Entree we were then served with Confit of Red Snapper which is presented with Cilantro, Tomato Jam with Fennel Coulis and paired with Cono Sur Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016 which has a nice clean, bright with an intense ruby-red colour. 

As for the Main Course, we had the Medallion of Rib Eye served with Chilli Provencal with Sous-Vide vegetables with Own Jus and paired with the Cono Sur Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 which has a great balance, acidity and persistence to accompany red meat, cheese and bread.

For dessert, we were then served with White Chocolate Yoghurt Cremeux with Pistachio Ice Cream and Raspberry Gel to finish off the fine dining experience.

Samplings On The Fourteenth Berjaya Times Square Hotel Location Address Map

Level 14, Berjaya Times Square Hotel

Jalan Imbi

Kuala Lumpur

Somersby Garden Malaysia @ Morganfield's Damen Mall USJ

We have heard about wine pairing and beer pairing, now Carlsberg Malaysia together with the partnership with Morganfield's Damen Mall USJ famed for its Sticky Bones introduces the cider pairing with the opening of the Beautifully Decorated Somersby Garden in the country at Morganfield's Damen Mall, USJ.

"Taste out the Freshly Tapped Somersby Draught Only Available Somersby Garden @ Morganfield's Damen Mall, USJ"

Morganfield's have selected a few of their favourite dishes which will go well with the pairing of the newly launched Somersby Elderflowers Lime;

We started off the dinner with a sharing platter of the Fourplay platter. In the platter; you will be served with 4 combo dish the first of which is the Bacon wrapped meatballs, Onion Rings, Chilli Con Carne Dip with Corn Tortilla Chips and Sticky Wings.

Not to be missed is the pairing with is Morganfield's signature Jack Daniel's Baby Back Ribs.

Followed by the Sticky wings selection with the salted eggs yolk flavours or the fiery habanero, with its spicy undertone just rightly taste with the floral twist of the Elderflowers Cider.

The next dish; which is perfect for the pairing is Mr Calamari; The calamari are battered and deep fried to a nice crisp. Best eaten quickly when it comes to the table to ensure you get the flavoured crispy battered which gel with the frosty cold Somersby cider.

For fans of the sausage; can try out the Pork Sausage platter which consists of the 4 different flavour sausage, which is Spicy Devil, Smoky Bandit, Herby Hog and the Chessy Cheese sausages with its savoury taste.

 Morganfield's Damen Mall, USJ Location Address Map

G19 Ground Floor Damen Mall, Subang USJ, Selangor