After my son was born, my role was changed. From an ambitious lady, I just want to be a good mother for my child. A lovely wife for my family. Sometime, I do wonder. What the heck! I still decided to take up Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) aka Permanent head damage. Yes. PhD is the highest degree awarded by university. Yes. A mother is the most multitasking creature on earth.
Family
Thank you to mother in law. My child is well taken care
After work, start to play or story telling with child
On 23 May 2016, Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia(LHDN) issued an immediate release. It is an explanation about income tax declaration for online business owner. This immediate release has created a chaotic among Malaysian bloggers. Why? If you read the LHDNM/R17/16 brochure clearly, blog is categorised as an e-commerce’s medium. Does it mean that blogger need to pay tax? Isn’t blogging considered as hobby? No answer. There is no further explanation from LHDN.
Image Credit: The SunDaily
On 1 July 2016, Google Business Group Johor Bahru founder, Mr. Johnson Lai and Financioposted an old newspaper article to refresh their clients’ memory. Online entrepreneurs need to register with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) to conduct their online selling. Online business transactions without registration are considered against the law.
SSM chairman Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad further explained that “Any sort of business that generates income must be registered. There is no exception.”
After reading the above articles, I have a clearer picture on the situation. However, since June 2016, Malaysians need to use IC number or SSM certificate to buy domain name from Malaysia-based web hosting company. Does it mean that LHDN or SSM or Ministry of Communications and Multimedia(KKMM) are tracking each domain name activities? Is it for future tax tracking purpose? I have no idea as there no information was published officially.
What is Online Business / e-Business / e-Commerce?
Business is the activity of making, buying or selling goods or providing services in exchange for money. ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
I further research this questions in Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Website. Singapore has a similar (but not exactly same) taxation system with Malaysia. Just to refresh your mind, Malaysia and Singapore are once colonised by Britain. Thus, commonwealth countries have similar taxation system.
All payments and benefits derived from the carrying on of blogging, advertising and any other activity performed on social media platforms as trade or business constitute gains or profits from a trade or business under section 10(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act (ITA). ~ Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
Ministry of Finance Malaysia is planning to collect tax from online business. Image Credit: LHDN Facebook page
Quick checklist on Hobby or Online Business
I adopted and adapted the quick list from Australian Taxation Office. I restructure the questions for better understanding.
1) Did you set up your online sales with the intention of being a business? / Do you want to be a boss? / Is blogging is a part of your career goal? / Do you want to be Malaysian Top bloggers? For example: Bangsar Babe/ HongKiat / Siakap Keli / Cheesie / Tony Johor Kaki?
2) Do you pay for your online-selling presence? Do you pay for Facebook ad? Bing Ad? Google advertisement? Or any other social media platforms? For example: WGOIJB
3) Is your main intention to make a profit? Is blogging your second income? Extra income? To gain for sponsored products/ services?
4) do you make repeated or regular sales? / Do PR company or clients look for you to write blog or post photos? 1 week once?
5) Do you sell your online items for more than cost price? Do you sell your services more than the market rate? For example: your Facebook page has 100k followers. You charge around RMxxx for a post. RMxxx –operating cost = profit
6) Do you manage your online selling as if it were a business? Do you constantly do blogging if there are many clients requesting for it?
7) Is what you are selling online similar or the same as what might be sold in a 'bricks and mortar' business? For example: mamak shop/ TESCO / GIANT. Are you selling your content writing services ?
If you agree to more of the questions (at least or more than 4 agrees), you may fall under online business category. You may need to register as a company.
So, Hobby or Business?
Don’t let the big hairy monetization question keep you from diving into a topic that you really enjoy. The money will come. For now, you just follow your passion. Seriously. ~ Neil Patel
Stay focus on what you like. If you like to blog about food, continue to do it. It doesn’t matter whether you get sponsored meal or paid review. You just enjoy your passion and write about it. Should you have a bookkeeping or log record for your hobby? In my opinion, it depends on individual. However a good bookkeeping will improve your financial literacy. In the end, you may become an entrepreneur or blogging become a second income.
I will discuss bookkeeping or log record related to blogging in the following post. Stay tune for more articles. Please feel free to discuss the issue with me.
The proposal for MyPhd under MyBrain15 scholarship program format can be found at here.
Instruction:
The proposal can be written either in Malay language or English language. Double spacing, 10-15 pages. The proposal need to be approved by supervisor.
Cover Page:
1. Applicant Name
2. Supervisor name and university address
3. Program title (E.g. : Doctorate of Philosophy in Engineering)
4. Research Topic
5. Supervisor approval with supervisor name and official stamp
The Reasearch Proposal Content
1. Topic
2. Objective
3. Literature Review
4. Research Objective
5. Research Methodology include flow chart
6. Research Hypotheses (if relevant)
7. Research Tools (if relevant)
8. Gantt Chart/ mile stone / Detail research timeframe
9. Research result forecast
10. Research Contribution to the country
11. Conclusion
12. References list.
10 February 2016 (Wednesday) was the third day of Chinese New Year. Mr. Ang and I were on the way back home. As the car was driving down the overhead bridge, we saw a red Proton Wira was spinning on the opposite road. The car rammed over the divider. It hits a lamp post. The car landed right on our path. I was in shock. I was not able to react to what I have seen.
I heard a loud bang. The red car hits our car with a very strong impact. I wanted to get out of the car. However, my body was immobilised. I was having difficulty with breathing. My back was in great pain. I placed my right hand over my chest. My chest was screaming with pain. Then, I saw smoke coming out of the car bonnet. I wanted to scream. I hope that Mr. Ang was fine. I felt so helpless at that point.
Luckily, Mr. Ang was fine. He managed to get out of the car after the collision. He got out of the car and examine the damage. Then, he realised that I was still in the car. Mr. Ang saw me gasping for air at the passenger seat. He quickly open the passenger side door, unlock the seat belt and carried me out.Some kind strangers asked us to sit by the roadside. I tried to catch back my breath. Mr. Ang brought me some water. I drank some and split out. I had some blood in my mouth.
A nice Indian aunty helped me to lay down. She helped to wash my face with water. Dik relax Miss are you ok? Breath slowly Relax relax 躺下， 躺下
Too many kind words were flying around. I was too dizzy to notice all the kind strangers that offer us help.
There were uncles offering to drive me to the clinic. But there saw bruises on my chest. So some random stranger called ambulance. Another kind stranger helped to take our valuable things out of the car. He placed all the valuable things beside me.
Policemen reached in a few minutes to handle the traffic congestion. A few guys offered their car tow services. Luckily, Mr. Ang was in his clear mind to handle the situation. Sadhux3 he wasn’t hurt.
The ambulance reached as my parent reached the scene. I saw 4 blue angels with neon colour vest approach us. They tried to walk me to the ambulance. However, it was too painful to me. My neck and spine were in great agony. The angels used other methods to place me on emergency cart ( I do hope that I used the right word).
In the ambulance, the angels kept remind me not to fall a sleep. They placed a neck support on me
Miss Saya tau you kuat. Miss tengok Saya
When I reached emergency ward, we didn’t have time to pay my gratitude ambulance pertahanan awam. I sincerely thank you for the nurses in the ambulance
After a few rounds of x-ray and scan, I was hospitalised for a night.
I wish to thank you all the kind strangers for helping us. There were many different ethnic helping us. Thank you to all the kind strangers from different backgrounds.
May all be rewarded with great merit
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu
11 February 2016
I woke up from nightmare. I kept seeing the red car in my sleep. I couldn’t shut that thought out. After vomited 5 times, I decided to type out the incident on my facebook page.
This write up helped me to release all the tension in my body. I felt a great relieve. I was able to fall a sleep.
Around 7pm, I checked out of the hospital and begin my 15 days of hospitalisation leaves.
22 February 2016
Follow up treatment at the hospital. Doctor mentioned that it will take 2 to 3 months to fully recover. My head often feel dizzy
28 February 2016
It was Chingay prayer. I prayed for great health and safe journey to all.
29 February 2016
I was able to go back to work
7 March 2016
I was able to drive a car. However, I fear for red Proton Wira car.
31 March 2016
I still feel pain on my neck and right shoulder occasionally. However, I am very grateful for the smooth recovery. Thank you for this car accident. I understand that being healthy is the first priority. Stay safe and healthy is more important than anything else.
On 16 March 2016, MyBrain15 has extend the scholarship to year 2023. This time, the application due date will be announced on MyBrain15KPT Facebook page. if you formerly was a MyMaster scholarship holder, please email to the respective personnel to reset your MyBrain15 account
Salam,Tuan.Puan,DIMAKLUMKAN BAHAWA PERMOHONAN PROGRAM MYBRAIN15 DIBUKA BERMULA 16 MAC 2016 HINGGA 30 APRIL 2016, JAM…
Sample Letter to Reset MyBrain15 Scholarship Account
To: mb15@mohe.gov.my
Subject: MEMOHON ACCOUNT BARU UNTUK APPLIKASI MYPHD
Tuan,
MEMOHON ACCOUNT BARU UNTUK APPLIKASI MYPHD
Merujuk kepada perkara di satas, saya, <Your Name> telah menamat pengajian MyMaster pada tahun <year>. Saya meminta account baru untuk applikasi MyPHD.
2. Transkrip Master dan sijil master telah saya letak bersama emel ini.
3. Besarlah harapan saya agar pihak tuan membina account baru untuk applikasi MyPhD. Segala kerjasama tuan amatlah saya hargai. Saya dahului dengan ribuan terima kasih.
Sekian, Terima Kasih
Yang Benar, <YourName>
Document Checklist
Academic transcript of master degree
Certificate of master degree
Application Log Record
17 March 2016 11:21am Sent formal email to request reset MyBrain15 account
17 March 2016 11:26am mb15@mohe.gov.my auto reply to check on MyBrain15 website
