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China to crackdown on tax evasion in livestreaming industry

BEIJING (CNA) – China’s tax regulator said yesterday that it will crackdown on tax evasion in its booming livestreaming industry, and will start requiring online platforms to report livestreamers’ identities, income and profits every six months.

The State Taxation Administration said on its website that livestreamers and platforms should compete fairly and fulfil their legal obligations to pay taxes.

“Livestreaming has played an important role in recent years in promoting flexible employment,” it said.

“At the same time, there are problems such as poor management by livestreaming platforms, irregular commercial marketing behaviour, tax evasion, which impede the industry’s healthy development and damage social fairness and justice.”

Livestreaming has surged in popularity in China, with millions of influencers running channels such as of Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok, Kuaishou and other short video platforms, where they talk about topics including lifestyle, food, games and travel. Chinese regulators have already targetted some of these personalities for tax evasion, in particular a few who sell products via livestream.

COVID-19 daily cases remain under 1K mark

James Kon

Brunei Darussalam’s tally of daily new COVID-19 cases continued to remain under the 1,000 mark with 745 new ones detected yesterday. The national tally of total confirmed cases stands at 133,726.

A total of 658 cases were reported from antigen rapid test (ART) results uploaded onto the BruHealth app, while 87 were from 1,597 RT-PCR laboratory tests performed in the past 24 hours, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said during the daily press conference yesterday.

The minister also shared that two COVID-19 cases passed away in the past 24 hours. One case, who had received two doses of the vaccine, was categorised as death due to the virus, while the other was ruled out.

“The Ministry of Health and the people of Brunei Darussalam would like to express our deepest condolences to the cases’ families. May the cases’ families be given patience in their passing and may their souls receive blessings from Allah the Almighty,” he said. The minister also shared that there are seven cases in Category 4 and no cases in Category 5.

A total of 1,210 cases recovered yesterday, bringing the total number of recoveries to 127,970. The Sultanate has 5,548 active cases, with 91 in hospitals, and 5,457 cases undergoing home self-isolation.

As of March 29, 61.2 per cent of the total population have received three doses of the vaccine.

Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong also attended the press conference.

Malaysia all set for traveller influx after re-opening

THE STAR/ANN – Immigration services at entry points will be back to their pre-pandemic strength in anticipation of large crowds of travellers as the country re-opens its borders tomorrow.

Aside from having to handle travellers entering and leaving the country, the Immigration Department is also gearing up for the expected influx of applications for foreign workers.

Its director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said that counters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, KLIA2, and the Causeway and Second Link in Johor, will operate on a 24-hour basis beginning tomorrow

“While we will see to it that all immigration protocols are adhered to by travellers, we also want to ensure the process of entering Malaysia is smooth and efficient,” he said when contacted.

Khairul Dzaimee said that with all auto gates operational at KLIA, KLIA2, the Causeway and Second Link, counters will be at 50 per cent capacity, which he said would be sufficient to handle the numbers.

Counters operating at an Immigration office in Malaysia. PHOTO: THE STAR

Travellers from countries requiring a visa to enter Malaysia would have to present the document upon arrival, their return ticket, pre-booked accommodations as well as proof of sufficient funds to finance their stay here.

“We are working closely with the Health Ministry to ensure health protocols are followed. Their system is linked to ours and we will know if those entering Malaysia have been fully vaccinated or otherwise,” he added.

Khairul Dzaimee said that between March 1 and 28, a total of 84,915 international passports were issued, showing a strong indication that Malaysians are eager to travel after being unable to do so since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

“We expect the number of passport applications to increase after Hari Raya Aidilfitri when many more countries open their borders,” he added.

On the possible influx of foreign workers, Khairul Dzaimee said his department would have no problem coping with a surge in applications for work permits as all transactions, including levy payments, would be done online.

“Long queues at immigration offices are a thing of the past. Employers only need to be present to collect work permits,” he said.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the police force is also ready for the reopening of borders.

Clashes in Syrian kill at least three

BEIRUT (AP) – Clashes between Syrian Kurdish fighters and members of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group killed at least three people inside a restive camp in northeastern Syria that houses IS families, local Kurdish authorities and an opposition war monitor said on Tuesday.

The clashes broke out late on Monday night at al-Hol in Syria’s province of Hassakeh, when Kurdish fighters exchanged fire with an IS sleeper cell, according to head of the Kurdish-led administration’s department for refugees and displaced Shixmus Ehmed. He spoke to the Associated Press via voice messages on Tuesday.

The fighting involved pistols, automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, he said, adding that the situation remains tense.

The sprawling al-Hol camp has for years held tens of thousands of women and children – mostly wives, widows and children of IS members.

The Kurdish police force, known as Asayish, said its members were attacked and fired back, killing an IS member and wounding others. It said police were careful during the clashes because IS fighters had hidden themselves among civilians.

Following the clashes, the Kurdish fighters surrounded the area to prevent any IS gunmen from escaping, Ehmed said, without giving a breakdown for the casualties.

UAE stun South Korea to earn World Cup playoff with Australia

DUBAI (AFP) – Harib Abdalla Suhail scored the all-important goal as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stunned South Korea 1-0 on Tuesday to advance to an Asian qualifying playoff against Australia on the road to the World Cup in Qatar.

South Korea and Iran had already made the cut directly from Group A in the final round of qualifying, leaving the UAE and Iraq in a crunch battle to clinch the third spot to earn the right to meet Australia, who finished third in Group B.

The winners of that match will meet a South American team in an inter-continental playoff with the victors advancing to the World Cup proper.

The loss in Dubai on Tuesday was South Korea’s first defeat in 10 matches as they finished second in Group A with 23 points, two behind top side Iran.

The Emiratis have been in the finals of the quadrennial showpiece only once, in 1990, and although they were allowed only a miserly 23 per cent ball possession, they managed to sneak a goal through the South Korean defence in the 54th minute to grab a crucial victory and finish on 12 points.

Mohammed al-Balushi provided the assist with a headed pass and after a 40-yard run Suhail found the bottom right corner of the South Korean net with a fine left-footed shot.

The rattled South Koreans tried their utmost to find the equaliser but the hosts held firm to keep their hopes alive via the playoff route.

Iraq faced Syria a few kilometres across Dubai at the Rashid Stadium but the Iraqis fell behind in the third minute to an Alaa al-Dali goal before Aymen Hussein’s 31st minute strike helped them restore parity.

Turkish politician accused of espionage

ANKARA, TURKEY (AP) – A prominent Turkish military analyst and opposition politician went on trial yesterday, accused of engaging in political and military espionage for allegedly selling state secrets to foreign diplomats.

In the first hearing of the trial against Metin Gurcan, the court ruled to hold the trial behind closed doors on grounds that some of the accusations levelled against him fell within “the scope of state secrets”, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Journalists and spectators were asked to leave the courtroom.

Gurcan, 46, faces life imprisonment if found guilty of the charges of obtaining and disclosing state secrets for the purpose of espionage. He has denied the accusations.

Gurcan is a retired army officer and founding member of the opposition Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) which is led by former deputy prime minister Ali Babacan. He also wrote about military issues for the online news website, Al-Monitor.

He was detained in his apartment in Istanbul on November 29.

Babacan has defended Gurcan, saying the analyst had no means of accessing confidential information and insisting that his analyses consisted of information compiled from open sources.

Recovered cases are not close contacts, says minister

Izah Azahari

Recovered COVID-19 patients are not considered as close contacts should an outbreak occur in their homes or workplace.

This was said by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar during the daily press conference yesterday.

“Within 90 days, Insya Allah, their immunity will still be high and they won’t get infected,” said the minister. He however, advised individuals to conduct an antigen rapid test (ART) if they develop symptoms after three months of recovering from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the minister also said that there are several factors to weigh in understanding why daily new COVID-19 cases remain relatively low in recent times.

The factors include the recent protocol change in certifying if a person is COVID-19 positive, and the percentage of booster shots administered to people, which has been stagnant with only about 600 additional individuals daily.

“We have mentioned before that there will be a time when the number of cases will go up and down, and that is what we are experiencing right now,” the minister said, adding that the public must still remain cautious despite the decreasing trend of daily new infections.

Cambodia’s largest copper statue erected in coastal Preah Sihanouk

THE PHNOM PENH POST/ANN – The largest copper statue in Cambodia, weighing 60 tonnes and towering 21 metres high and depicting Preah Thong and Neang Neak – the legendary co-founders of the Funan Kingdom – are being erected at their namesake roundabout at Prey Nop district’s Ream commune in the coastal province of Preah Sihanouk.

Provincial administration spokesman Kheang Phearom said the statue of the symbolic monarchs was designed by Cambodian architects and smelted in China. It arrived in the province on March 26.

Of the origins of the statue, which faces the Ream Beach, Phearom said, “The King went to meet his parents at Than Phu Chong Neak, which symbolises the birth of the land, culture, civilisation, traditions and customs of Cambodia.”

The statue of the couple is the third in Preah Sihanouk province after that of Preah Uma-Mahesor in Ream commune and the three-faced Siharaj statue in Sihanoukville’s commune I.

The statue spans 99 metres in diameter and sits on a throne that is six metres high.

In a Facebook post, the provincial administration said that after the statue arrived at the site, provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun had inspected the insallation and instructed workers to speed up erecting it.

Design illustration of the statue erected in Preah Sihanouk province. PHOTO: PHNOM PENH POST

“After we install the statue of Preah Thong and Neang Neak, Preah Sihanouk province will be a more attractive place for people, especially domestic and international tourists,” it said.

Provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts Director But Bopha applauded the decision to erect the statue, saying that it celebrates the national identity of Cambodia that predates the birth of Khmer cultural traditions and customs.

Khmer customs as we know them today came into being when Preah Thong had lifted the veil of Neang Neak and proposed marriage, leading to the currently practiced tradition where the groom must propose marriage.

Bopha said the statue serves as a reminder and “awakening” for the next generation to not forget their roots and culture.

“It goes without saying that our rich cultural traditions have been preserved to date. The display of this statue enables future generations to better understand and preserve our national identity, which is the long and glorious culture of our past,” he said.

Peru book World Cup play-off spot as Colombia, Chile miss out

MONTEVIDEO (AFP) – Peru booked a World Cup play-off spot against either Australia or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a 2-0 victory over Paraguay on Tuesday, thus dashing the hopes of Colombia and Chile to reach the Qatar extravaganza.

With Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay already qualified, all that was to play for in the final round of South American qualifying was fifth place and an intercontinental play-off.

Both Colombia, who won 1-0 away to Venezuela, and Chile, beaten 2-0 at home by Uruguay, could have qualified with victory had Peru slipped up.

But for the second World Cup qualification campaign in a row, Peru head into a play-off.

Last time they beat New Zealand 2-0 over two legs but their task will be harder this time with a one-off clash against either the Socceroos or UAE in Qatar in June.

Italy-born Gianluca Lapadula opened the scoring on five minutes in Lima and although debutant Sebastian Ferreira hit the bar soon after for Paraguay, Peru were largely in control.

Yoshimar Yotun doubled the advantage on 42 minutes, acrobatically converting a cross from Edison Flores.

It could have been more comfortable for Peru but Lapadula was twice denied by the woodwork.

Colombia missed out on the play-off by a single point.

Halfway through the qualification campaign they had been in a strong position to qualify but a run of seven straight games without a goal before winning their final two matches crushed their hopes.

James Rodriguez scored the only goal deep into first half stoppage time from the penalty spot after Ronald Hernandez was penalised for a foul on Rafael Borre.

Chile struggled throughout the campaign and missed out on the World Cup for the second tournament in a row.

They needed both Peru and Colombia to fail to win while winning themselves to progress.

But spectacular goals from Luis Suarez and Federico Valverde left them heart-broken and lifted Uruguay into third in the group.

Brazil set a new points record for a South American World Cup qualification campaign with a 4-0 win away to Bolivia.

The Selecao’s record of 14 wins and three draws – with a rearranged fixture at home to Argentina still to play – leaves them with 45 points, two more than Marcelo Bielsa’s Argentina managed ahead of the 2002 tournament.

In a match between the best attack and worst defence in the competition, Brazil’s comfortable victory even without the suspended Neymar was no surprise.

Luca Paqueta opened the scoring on 24 minutes while a double from Richarlison and another from Bruno Guimaraes sealed the drubbing.

Argentina stretched their unbeaten run to 31 matches with a 1-1 draw away to Ecuador.

Julian Alvarez opened the scoring for Argentina at the second attempt against the run of play on 24 minutes but Enner Valencia scored in stoppage time, slamming home the rebound after his penalty was saved by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

New Zealand airline plans to raise USD1.5B to rebuild

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND (AP) – New Zealand’s flagship airline yesterday announced a plan to raise USD1.5 billion to hire more staff, buy new planes and expand its routes as it seeks to rebuild from deep losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Air New Zealand’s shares were put in a temporary trading halt ahead of the announcement.

As well as being used to invest in the business, some of the new money would be used to pay back government loans.

Under the plan, the airline would raise NZD2.2 billion (USD1.5 billion). About 55 per cent of the new money would come from an offer to existing shareholders, under which they can buy new shares at a steep discount to the last trading price.

The rest of the money would come from the government through redeemable shares and new loan financing. The New Zealand government currently owns 51 per cent of the airline, a ratio that won’t change under the plan.

When the pandemic hit, Air New Zealand responded by cutting back its flights by 95 per cent and slashing thousands of jobs, reducing its workforce by nearly one-third.

Air New Zealand passenger planes parked on the tarmac at Auckland International Airport. PHOTO: AP

For two years, New Zealand imposed some of the world’s toughest border restrictions, extinguishing a once-thriving international tourism industry.

Domestic flights have recovered somewhat but the airline still expects to lose about NZD800 million this year.

The government announced earlier this month it will reopen to tourists from the United States (US) and many other countries by May 1 as the pandemic threat recedes.

Airline Chief Executive Greg Foran said its top priorities were to grow its domestic business, optimise its international routes and grow its loyalty programme.

Chairperson Therese Walsh said that despite the cutbacks, the airline had been able to keep the nation connected throughout the pandemic, allowing New Zealanders to return home, bringing in vital supplies and keeping its export markets running.

“While we know there are still bumpy skies ahead, the timing is right for us to position the airline for recovery,” Walsh said.

Last week the airline announced it had started selling tickets for direct flights to and from New York, a new route that will take more than 17 hours southbound and be among the longest nonstop flights in the world.

Air New Zealand had intended to start the route from Auckland to John F Kennedy International Airport in 2020, but then the pandemic hit.

The first flights will now begin in September.

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Borneo Bulletin is the leading English daily in the country. It was first published by Brunei Press. Today, Borneo Bulletin has become the foremost source of information on local and foreign affairs, and the region’s business news.

© 2013 Borneo Bulletin Online - The Independent Newspaper in Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak

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