insidepix1 KUALA LUMPUR, FRI: These are the highlights of the 2009 Budget being announced by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi * Some 100,000 tax payers to be out of the tax net as rebate for taxable income of RM35,000 and below will be increased to RM400 from RM350 * Tax exemption for all interest income for individuals * Reduction of import duties for consumer durables (examples: blender, rice cooker, microwave oven and electric kettle) to between 5 percent and 30 percent from 10 percent and 60 percent * Import duty exemption on several food items including vermicelli, biscuits, fruit juices and canned sweet corn * Road tax for passenger vehicles with diesel engines to be similar with petrol engines effective Sept 1, 2008 * Tax exemption for employees on staff benefits such as subsidised interest on housing, motor vehicles and education loans * Bills of mobile and fixed line phones as well as internet paid by employers to be tax-exempted ...