On 2 April 2024, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore issued its closing note to the Public Consultation on the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill (“Bill”). The Public Consultation on the draft Bill was held from 15 December 2023 to 15 January 2024. The CSA First Reading of the Bill took place on 3 April 2024. The Second Reading of the Bill is slated to take place on 7 May 2024.
The amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (OSHA) and the repeal of the Factories and Machinery Act 1967 (FMA) will come into effect on 1 June 2024.
The amendments introduce significant and wide-ranging changes to the OSHA (which incorporate provisions of the FMA). These changes include the introduction of new duties and obligations on employers and increased penalties for non-compliance.
With effect from 26 April 2024, the State Administration of Market Regulation’s Amended Anti-monopoly Compliance Guidelines for Business Operators notably features the provision of credit for antitrust programs verified by the authority.
The Guidelines set out for the first time the conditions and process for such credit to be granted. The specific prerequisites for granting credit and the type of credit granted varies, depending on the stage of enforcement. Compared with the original 2020 Guidelines, the amended version is more detailed and includes helpful guidance on key antirust risks alongside case studies.
The government and Ministry of Planning and Investment is currently working on the draft resolution of the National Assembly (NA) to amend the NA’s existing Resolution No. 119/2020/QH14 on “the pilot implementation of the urban governance model and various mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang city.”
A recent decision of the Hong Kong Court reaffirmed the robust approach taken by the Court in examining the enforceability of a noncompete clause in an employment context. The Court reiterates that it will not redraft a noncompete clause for the parties, nor would it imply a term in order to save a covenant restraining an employee’s post-termination conduct.
On 28 March 2024, the Health Sciences Authority released updates to the registration of therapeutic products as part of its continued efforts to improve regulatory efficiency and enhance clarity in the regulatory requirements and processes.
On 8 April 2024, the Health Sciences Authority issued an update on products found and reported by overseas regulators to contain potent ingredients that are prohibited and may lead to side effects.
On 29 January 2024, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (“MEMR”) issued MEMR Regulation No. 2 of 2024 on Rooftop Solar That is Connected to the Grid of a Holder of a Business License for Electricity Provision for Public Use (“Reg. 2/2024”). Reg. 2/2024 became effective on 31 January 2024 and effectively revokes the old MEMR regulation on rooftop solar (i.e., MEMR Regulation No. 26 of 2021 (“Reg. 26/2021”)).
The Government of Malaysia has on 15 April 2024 announced that it will establish an Energy Exchange Malaysia (“ENEGEM”) to facilitate cross-border sales of green electricity to neighboring countries, namely Singapore and Thailand. The ENEGEM platform will implement cross-border energy sales based on the latest Guide for Cross-Border Electricity Sales issued by the Energy Commission of Malaysia.
The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices has issued the mandatory Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests, which will come into effect on 1 December 2024, as announced by the Ministry of Manpower on 16 April 2024.