TERENGGANU WILL BUILD TWO NEW BRIDGES

The Terengganu government will build two new bridges next year, with an allocation of RM400 million, to tackle the congestion problems on the Sultan Mahmud Bridge here.

State Infrastructure Development and Public Amenities Committee chairman Yahya Khatib Mohamad said one of the bridges would be built across the Terengganu River which would connect Kampung Teluk Pasu-Pulau Sekati-Muzium in Losong.

"The other one will be built across Nerus River near here, which will connect Kampung Jeram and Kampung Jeram Tokong.

"Each bridge will be approximately 1.5 kilometres long and will cost about RM200 million," he told reporters after attending the state executive council weekly meeting here Wednesday.

At present, Yahya said the state government was in the midst of appointing the consultant for the project, while the parallel configuration works were running smoothly.

Both bridges would be built with four traffic lanes and are expected to be completed in three years, he added.

NEW CURRENCY DECLARATION RULE

In line with the global effort to combat money-laundering and terrorism financing, Bank Negara Malaysia has issued a new currency declaration requirement at all entry and exit points in the country.

Effective Jan 1, travellers entering or leaving Malaysia with cash and/or negotiable bearer instruments (traveller’s cheques, bearer cheques) exceeding US$10,000 (RM34,000) must make a declaration in form Customs No. 22.

“The forms will be available at counters located before the Customs checkpoints at all entry and exit points of the country.

“Travellers could be fined up to RM1mil and/or face imprisonment not exceeding a term of one year if they fail to declare or make a false declaration,” it said in a statement here yesterday.

Bank Negara said this was required under section 23 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 and was in line with the Special Recommendation IX by the Financial Action Task Force which required countries to have measures in place to detect physical cross-border transportation of cash and negotiable bearer instruments.

“This new requirement is in line with global efforts to combat money-laundering and terrorist financing activities.

“Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Philippines and Singapore have adopted the same declaration requirement,” it said.