Latest news with #Madani
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Three key amendments to SST following feedback
PETALING JAYA: The government has announced three key amendments to the Sales and Service Tax (SST) following public and industry feedback since the revision was unveiled on June 9. In a statement yesterday, the Finance Ministry said the amendments include exempting certain imported fruits from sales tax, raising the service tax threshold for rental and financial services to RM1 million and dropping the proposed tax on beauty services. 'After due consideration on the feedback received with respect to sales tax on imported fruits, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance minister, agreed to exempt imported apples, oranges, mandarin oranges and dates from sales tax. 'The ministry would like to reiterate that the Madani government has not imposed sales tax on daily essential goods in order to mitigate pressure on the cost of living for the majority of Malaysians. 'These tax-exempted essential goods, whether locally produced or imported, include rice, chicken, beef, vegetables and eggs. Local fish varieties, including selar, tongkol, cencaru, and sardines will also continue to be exempt from sales tax.' To ease the burden on small businesses, Anwar has approved an increase in the service tax registration threshold from RM500,000 to RM1 million for leasing, rental, and financial services. 'Additionally, after carefully considering public sentiment, the government has also decided not to proceed with the proposed expansion of service tax on beauty services such as manicure and pedicure, facial service, barbers and hairdressers,' said the ministry.
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Saifuddin urges Nik Nazmi to reconsider Cabinet resignation
PUTRAJAYA: PKR election director Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail remains hopeful that Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad will reconsider his decision to resign from the Cabinet. With less than a week before the resignation takes effect on July 4, Saifuddin, who is also the Home Minister, said Nik Nazmi's skills and leadership are still needed under the Unity Government's Madani framework. "I have known Nik for a very long time. Back when I was the youth deputy chief, I already saw his intellect and potential. He is a highly capable individual and systematic in his work," he told Berita Harian. Nik Nazmi, who lost his positions as PKR Setiawangsa division chief and vice-president in the party election last month, announced his resignation on May 28, following former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's departure on June 17. Saifuddin stressed his appeal was not influenced by internal factions such as Damai or Hiruk, aligned with Nurul Izzah Anwar and Rafizi, respectively. Saifuddin said his appeal to Nik Nazmi is consistent with the openness shown by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who previously urged both Rafizi and Nik Nazmi to carefully reconsider their Cabinet resignations. As a senior member, I will continue playing my role to unite both camps. I don't concern myself with whether I rise or fall within the party hierarchy. I define success as remaining steadfast and contributing meaningfully to the party," he said.
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia drops beauty tax, eases SST rules after feedback
PETALING JAYA: The government has announced three key amendments to the Sales and Service Tax (SST) following public and industry feedback since the revision was unveiled on June 9. In a statement yesterday, the Finance Ministry said the amendments include exempting certain imported fruits from sales tax, raising the service tax threshold for rental and financial services to RM1 million and dropping the proposed tax on beauty services. 'After due consideration on the feedback received with respect to sales tax on imported fruits, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance minister, agreed to exempt imported apples, oranges, mandarin oranges and dates from sales tax. 'The ministry would like to reiterate that the Madani government has not imposed sales tax on daily essential goods in order to mitigate pressure on the cost of living for the majority of Malaysians. 'These tax-exempted essential goods, whether locally produced or imported, include rice, chicken, beef, vegetables and eggs. Local fish varieties, including selar, tongkol, cencaru, and sardines will also continue to be exempt from sales tax.' To ease the burden on small businesses, Anwar has approved an increase in the service tax registration threshold from RM500,000 to RM1 million for leasing, rental, and financial services. 'Additionally, after carefully considering public sentiment, the government has also decided not to proceed with the proposed expansion of service tax on beauty services such as manicure and pedicure, facial service, barbers and hairdressers,' said the ministry.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
MoF confirms SST exemption for apples, oranges, and mandarin oranges
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has agreed to exempt several imported fruits, including apples, oranges, mandarin oranges and dates, from sales tax following feedback from the public. Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the decision after considering concerns raised over the tax's impact on essential goods. "The Ministry of Finance (MoF) would like to reiterate that the Madani government has not imposed sales tax on daily essential goods in order to mitigate pressure on the cost of living for the majority of Malaysians. "These tax-exempt essential goods, whether locally produced or imported, include rice, chicken, beef, vegetables and eggs. "Local fish varieties, including selar, tongkol, and canned sardines, whether frozen, chilled or fresh, will also continue to be exempt from sales tax," MoF said in a statement today. MoF also said since the announcement on June 9, 2025, regarding the revision of the sales and service tax (SST), the Madani government has closely followed feedback received from the rakyat and engaged industry on the proposed expansion of the SST. In addition, the ministry also engaged a number of backbenchers yesterday as part of understanding feedback from the grassroots. "The Madani government remains committed to ensuring that the revision to SST is progressive and mitigates the impact on basic consumption items by the rakyat and the impact on small businesses," it added.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Beauty services exempted as govt fine-tunes SST rollout
PETALING JAYA: The government will not proceed with the proposed inclusion of beauty services under the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST), following public concern and feedback from industry players. The Finance Ministry said the decision was made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also holds the finance portfolio, after taking into account widespread sentiment ahead of the SST expansion taking effect on July 1. This means services such as manicures, pedicures, facials, and haircuts will remain exempt under the revised tax regime. The exemption is one of several adjustments announced by the Finance Ministry as part of efforts to fine-tune the tax structure and cushion its impact on the public and small businesses. 'The Madani government remains committed to ensuring that the SST revision is progressive and mitigates the impact on basic consumption items by the rakyat and the impact on small businesses,' the ministry said in a statement Friday (June 27). The revisions follow widespread feedback from both the public and industry groups. Hairdressers and beauty salon operators had voiced concern that taxing services like haircuts and facials would unfairly burden small businesses and lower-income consumers, with objections raised earlier this month. In a broader move to manage cost-of-living pressures, the government will also exempt selected imported fruits — apples, oranges, mandarin oranges and dates — from the Sales Tax. The ministry reaffirmed that essential food items such as rice, chicken, beef, vegetables, eggs, and various local fish — including selar (yellowtail scad), tongkol (longtail tuna) and cencaru (torpedo scad) — whether fresh, chilled or frozen, remain exempt from the tax. These fish are staple protein sources for many households due to their affordability and accessibility. To reduce the burden on small businesses, the annual sales threshold for mandatory Service Tax registration has been raised from RM500,000 to RM1mil for leasing, rental, and financial services. This means only companies generating over RM1mil in yearly sales from such services will be required to charge the 8% tax. For financial services, the tax applies specifically to fee- or commission-based activities. The ministry also reminded the public and stakeholders to refer only to verified information on the SST rollout, including official announcements, guidelines, FAQs and subsidiary legislation available through the Finance Ministry and Royal Malaysian Customs Department websites. Further enquiries can be directed to the Customs Department SST Call Centre at 1-300-888-500 or through the dedicated hotline numbers. The expanded SST will come into effect on July 1, 2025.
