2022 is coming in February! There are a number of new policies and major events this February, let’s take a look.
1. Public Holidays
There are 2 public holidays in February, which are the Chinese Lunar New Year on February 1st and 2nd.
2. School holidays
Schools in Group A states (Kedah, Johor, Kelantan, and Terengganu) will enjoy a 24-day final school holiday from February 25 to March 20. Schools in Group B states (other states) will have a 23-day final school holiday from February 26 to March 20.
3. Inter-bank withdrawal fees
RM1.00 handling fee will be charged for inter-bank ATM withdrawals from February! For example, if you hold a Hong Leong Bank bank card and then withdraw money at a Maybank ATM, you will need to pay a handling fee of RM1.00. If you hold a Maybank bank card and then withdraw money at a Maybank ATM, you will not be charged an RM1.00 handling fee.
4. Genting Skycity World Trial Operation
Genting Outdoor Theme Park Tiancheng World will be in trial operation on February 8! Admission tickets during the trial operation period will receive a 20% discount. Tickets can be ordered from 10 a.m. on February 4. The entrance fee for Genting Skycity World is RM189 as standard (height above 110cm), and the entrance fee during the trial operation period will only be RM151. Children (90 to 110cm in height) and seniors or persons with disabilities above 60 years old will only need RM161, and only RM128 during the trial operation. Infants under 90cm in height are free of admission.
5. Childhood vaccinations
The Ministry of Health will vaccinate children aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19 from February 3, with priority given to children with chronic and underlying diseases. The vaccination program for children aged 5 to 11 is not mandatory and the government will not restrict the movement of unvaccinated children.
6. Provident Fund announces dividend
The Employees Provident Fund (KWSP) is expected to announce the latest dividends in the third week of February. It is generally expected that the dividends announced this year will exceed last year’s dividends and may exceed 6%. The CPF payout rate for conventional accounts last year was 5.20%, while the payout rate for Islamic accounts was 4.90%.
7. SSPN announces the latest dividend
SSPN is expected to announce its latest dividend in February, which has averaged 4% over the past 10 years.
The Education Savings Fund (SSPN) is a savings scheme launched by the government to encourage people to save. SSPN depositors will enjoy many benefits such as deposit interest, insurance coverage, personal income tax rebates, death benefits, medical coverage, and more. SSPN is divided into 2 plans, namely Simpan SSPN Prime and Simpan SSPN Plus.
8. Egg and broiler prices rise
The One Malaysia Top Price Scheme (SHMKM) launched by the government will end on February 4. After the scheme ends, the price of eggs and broilers will no longer be strictly regulated by the government. Egg and broiler prices will start to return to market prices, and people are urged to prepare in advance.
9. Beginning of Spring (Li Chun)
Lichun is the first solar term in the twenty-four solar terms of the lunar calendar. Lichun means the wind and the sun are warm, and the birds and flowers are fragrant, symbolizing a new beginning of the year. The beginning of spring in 2022 falls on the fourth day of the first month of the lunar calendar, at 4:50 in the morning on February 4th of the solar calendar. At this time, heaven and the earth meet, and the three suns are open.
In Singapore and Malaysia, there is a custom of the beginning of spring, that is, to deposit money in the bank on the day of the beginning of spring. It is said that depositing money in the bank on the day of the beginning of spring will bring you a lot of money.
10. Birth registration
Babies were born in January last year and this year need to report before February 1. Late registration will be fined! Parents can go directly to the counter of the National Registration Department to register their children without having to make an appointment online first. If parents delay enrolling their children, parents will be required to pay a penalty.
