'Happy July?' — Netizens react to SST hike as bills climb, wages stagnate
Across social media, netizens responded with a blend of sarcasm, satire and weary humour.
ALSO READ: Govt open to factual criticisms on taxation system says PM Anwar
One user called kapewithkate wrote on Threads: 'Welcome to July — SST is now 5–8%. Electricity tariffs have increased (your bills are really going to bling now).'
Others joined in with mock suggestions.
Annysaoi posted: 'Honestly, July 1st should've been declared a public holiday in honour of 'National Tax Day' — like bro, we pay taxes every day. Imagine future generations asking, 'Hey, why's today a holiday?'
'And we reply, 'Oh, it's to commemorate the day the tax system changed forever.' Iconic.'
Echoing the frustrations of many Malaysians, user @nssyahiramzln voiced a pointed concern: 'The people aren't angry about paying taxes. We're angry because we're already paying so much — thousands are deducted monthly from our salaries through PCB (monthly tax deductions) — but we don't see any real results.
'Schools are still underfunded, government hospitals are overcrowded with hours-long waits. We pay taxes, yet if we want 'comfort' when we're sick, we still have to fork out extra for insurance?
'Roads in the city are full of potholes. SST goes up, everything goes up — but our salaries stay the same. So tell me, where is the people's money really going?' the user lamented.
The SST expansion introduced a 5% to 10% tax on non-essential goods and widened its scope to include services such as private healthcare, financial services and leasing.
However, the government has since made adjustments after public pushback. Imported apples and oranges, as well as beauty services like haircuts and facials, were exempted.
The Prime Minister reiterated that adjustments in electricity tariffs and the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) scope aim to ensure wealthier individuals contribute fairly while shielding vulnerable groups from financial strain.
'Criticism is welcome, but it must be factual and constructive,' he stated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
34 minutes ago
- Focus Malaysia
Ramasamy's gentle reminder to PMX: No automatic extension for Malaysian judges nor for its PMs
JUST as there is no automatic extension for the terms of judges, there is similarly no automatic process for extending the tenure of Datuk Seri Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Like the layered procedures required for judicial extensions, Anwar must also navigate a complex political path: he must win a parliamentary contest, secure a working majority, and obtain the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. In fact, extending the services of judges might be far simpler than Anwar securing a second term as PM. In his first term, Anwar only managed to convince the Agong to appoint him with the crucial support of parliamentarians from Sabah and Sarawak. Without their backing, his path to Putrajaya would have remained shut. Of course, Anwar aspires to serve a second term. But given the growing unpopularity of his government, such a scenario seems increasingly like wishful thinking. Thorny path ahead Anwar rose to power on the promise of institutional and structural reform. Today, those promises lie in tatters. Many Malaysians now believe that the reform agenda was less about genuine change and more about elevating Anwar to the premiership. His recent actions – particularly the perceived assault on the judiciary – have only deepened his unpopularity despite efforts to manufacture statistics suggesting otherwise. Respected judges may have left the bench with their dignity and integrity intact. In contrast, Anwar's potential exit from power may not be met with the same respect by a rakyat who had expected far better governance. While Anwar once spoke of institutional reform when he was in the opposition, governing has proven to be an entirely different matter. Twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad might have wanted a judiciary that facilitated the smooth functioning of his administration but it wasn't motivated by personal legal concerns. Anwar's motives, however, appear more self-serving. His desire for a weakened judiciary seems closely tied to the civil suit filed by his former research assistant Yusoff Rawther over allegations of sexual misconduct. Anwar had reportedly sought immunity from the Federal Court to have the suit struck out. This goes far beyond Dr Mahathir's approach – Anwar appears to want a judiciary that not only doesn't obstruct governance but actively shields him from legal scrutiny. While Dr Mahathir may have weakened the judiciary; Anwar has rendered it impotent. The deliberate decision to not extend the terms of three seasoned and respected Federal Court judges represents a systematic attempt to hollow out the judiciary. In short, institutional reform is dead in Malaysia. And with it, the promise of a truly democratic, accountable and just system of governance. – July 2, 2025 Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim tourism packages The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Daily Express
39 minutes ago
- Daily Express
PAS urges government to review Peaceful Assembly Act
Published on: Wednesday, July 02, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 02, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Protesters making their way to Dataran Merdeka from the Sogo shopping complex during an anti-corruption rally in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 25. PETALING JAYA: PAS has called on the government to review the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 after the Federal Court's ruling yesterday that it is unconstitutional to criminalise the failure to notify the police five days in advance of holding a peaceful assembly. In a statement, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the ruling by a five-member Federal Court panel chaired by outgoing Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat would give Malaysians more confidence that their voices can be heard without the threat of prosecution. 'PAS also believes that this decision will further strengthen public confidence in the freedom of expression and assembly as key hallmarks of a mature and civilised democratic nation,' said Takiyuddin. 'PAS urges the government to comprehensively review the Peaceful Assembly Act so that it truly reflects the spirit of the Federal Constitution and the universal principles of human rights, especially in light of this historic decision.' Takiyuddin also urged the government to review or abolish legal provisions that could be misused to suppress freedom of expression, including the Sedition Act 1948, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. The Kota Bharu MP said this was consistent with Pakatan Harapan's election promises outlined in its 15th general election manifesto. Yesterday, Tengku Maimun said Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act imposes a punishment that exceeds the limits permitted under Article 10(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of speech, assembly, and association. Tengku Maimun, who delivered the unanimous decision of the five-member Federal Court panel, also said the section was 'a disproportionate intervention'. The decision stemmed from a constitutional challenge brought by former Muda secretary-general Amir Hadi, who was charged in 2022 with failing to give the police five days' notice before organising a protest outside the Sogo shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur. Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government would table an amendment to Section 11 of the Peaceful Assembly Act in the upcoming parliamentary sitting following the Federal Court's ruling. Section 11 of the Peaceful Assembly Act requires organisers of assemblies to obtain the consent of the location's owner or occupier. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
RHB delivers on living wage, focuses on employee well-being and growth
KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Banking Group announced that all permanent employees in Malaysia are earning at or above the nationally recognised Living Wage benchmark of RM3,100 per month, as outlined in the Employee Provident Fund's Belanjawanku Expenditure Guide. The commitment supports the Finance Ministry's call for financial institutions and Government Linked Companies (GLCs) to lead in advancing fair compensation, aligned with the 'Raise the Floor' pillar of the Ekonomi Madani framework to improve quality of life for all Malaysians. RHB's full implementation of the Living Wage framework reflects its commitment as a responsible employer and its role in supporting Malaysia's broader efforts to improve the standard of living of the rakyat. 'At RHB, fair pay is a fundamental part of building a progressive and inclusive workplace. Our compensation practices reflect this but our duty goes further. Our Employee Value Proposition is designed to support our employees holistically, ensuring their physical, emotional and financial well-being, in a meaningful and practical way. 'This commitment is reflected in our employee engagement score which stands at 87%, a strong indicator of the trust and connection our people have with the organisation,' said RHB Banking Group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Rashid Mohamad. In addition to the living wage commitment, mental health and wellness remain core areas of focus in RHB. The Group provides access to free confidential professional counselling and emotional support services through its Employee Assistance Programme, available to all employees Group wide. These are complemented by regular mental health webinars and awareness initiatives that help employees manage stress, strengthen emotional intelligence and maintain work-life balance. In 2024, RHB introduced a digital health platform offering personalised coaching, wellness tracking and lifestyle incentives, further strengthening its holistic approach to employee wellbeing. Employees also benefit from targeted financial support, including festive advance programmes, preferential rate staff loans and a dedicated Staff Welfare Fund for emergencies or personal hardship. Comprehensive medical coverage, robust insurance protection and flexible leave policies further contribute to a work environment that supports both individual and family well-being. 'We recognise the complex pressures in today's world, emotionally, financially and professionally. Our responsibility is to support them in all dimensions, not just through compensation, but through care, flexibility and long term opportunities to grow,' Mohd Rashid explained. RHB continues to invest in structured career development to future proof its workforce. In 2024 alone, the Group delivered over 390,000 hours of learning, averaging 29 hours per employee, with more than 13,000 employees participating in programmes covering digital transformation, sustainability, leadership and core technical skills. These efforts align with national priorities to create high quality jobs and strengthen social mobility. 'Our people are our greatest asset. When they thrive, our customers, communities and the nation thrive with them,' he added. RHB will continue to refine its people strategies to ensure long-term impact, for employees and the communities it serves, contributing to Malaysia's aspirations for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
