Hold thorough studies before rolling out policies, Abang Jo's aide tells govt
PETALING JAYA : An aide to Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg has urged the federal government to conduct thorough studies and consultations with stakeholders before rolling out policies.
Kho Teck Wan of the Sarawak United People's Party cited the expanded sales and service tax (SST) and e-invoicing for businesses as key policies that should have seen more studies and engagements held.
She said last-minute changes to such major policies reflected a lack of engagement with stakeholders, The Borneo Post reported.
While Kho welcomed the exemption of e-invoicing for businesses earning RM500,000 and below annually, she said this came at the last minute.
'The announcement was made weeks before the implementation, when most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) already made the necessary changes, spent money on training, and purchased software in preparation for the e-invoice implementation.
'Now that the policy has suddenly changed, their investments have gone to waste. Their frustration and helplessness are understandable,' she said.
The Inland Revenue Board has postponed the implementation of e-invoicing for businesses with under RM5 million in annual revenue to 2026, while exempting those earning less than RM500,000 a year.
Businesses earning RM500,000 to RM25 million were initially required to file e-invoices from July 1 before the exemption and postponement was announced earlier this month.
For the expanded SST, which comes into effect tomorrow, Putrajaya decided last week to exempt oranges, apples, mandarin oranges and dates, citing public feedback.
The finance ministry also decided not to include beauty services like manicures, pedicures, facials and hairdressing, when an 8% service tax was set to be imposed for such services exceeding RM500,000 in a 12-month period.
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