Will there be more single Malaysians after July 1 as SST causes nuptials to be delayed, cancelled?

Focus Malaysia

4 days ago

IT MAY be a tad dramatic – taxes will force you stay single.
Highlighting the impact of the 8% tax levied in practical terms, finfluencer Mashitah Sidek (@ringgitzz) explained (rather dramatically) how much more costly it will be for couples to tie the knot after July 1.
This comes about as Malaysia will implement a significant expansion of its Sales and Services Tax (SST) to include new services such as rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare education and beauty.
Shared by pro-opposition proponent Siditious (@solidistor) on X, the post is obviously aimed at creating even more discontent at the Madani government for expanding its SST scope.
The lawyer observed that more people would choose to stay single with the hike in matrimonial costs following the 8% SST imposition.
Makin ramai la single lepas ni. Nak kahwin pun kena SST 8%. pic.twitter.com/ldTIpFNPLp
— Siditious (@Solisidtor) June 23, 2025
There's no denying that the impending SST which comes into effect next month will erode Malaysians' spending power regardless of their wealth level (imagine traders upping their prices in tandem with rising raw produces).
The post by Mashitah has generated a lot of interest as evident from it having garnered 552.6K views at the time of writing alongside 3.8K likes, 2K shares and 108 comments.
On the one hand, there are the Madani bashers who are seemingly sick and tired of the 'lies and unfulfilled promises'. Things are very different now from what was said during canvassing for election, it was claimed.
One commenter even trotted out what he perceived would be the normal excuses proffered by government apologists. These included:
'Are you getting married every day?'
'If you can afford to spend RM20-30k, what is 8%?'
'You are not the only person paying this tax.'
'Just get hitched in Thailand. Even that has to be taught.'
However, more than a few had differing views. For starters, there were those who simply thought that the young lady in the video was just spouting rubbish and by extension the poster who shared the clip.
Getting married is easy, claimed one commenter, while blaming the likes of the poster for complicating matters.
Yes, the cost-of-living crisis bites. But will a supposed RM800 hike cause a person to cancel a 'one-off or one's a lifetime' wedding?
More pertinently, a number of commenters shared very useful advice – live within one's own means. Do not be wasteful with grand celebrations and large dowries during these tough economic times.
A more frugal approach was counselled, beginning with a smaller guest list for the kenduri (wedding feast).
Another commenter jokingly urged couples to simply beat the July 1 deadline.
'Where's the proof?' demanded one pro-Pakatan Harapan (PH) key board warrior who was clearly cynical about claims of declining marriages.
At the end of the day, one commenter observed that he has never come across couples not tying the knot because of taxes! – June 26, 2025
Main image credit: BiblioAsia