Latest news with #importedFruits
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt's revision of SST expansion proves it listens to rakyat, says Fahmi
The government announced yesterday that imported apples and oranges will be exempted from the expanded sales and service tax. (Envato Elements pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The government's decision to exempt certain imported fruits from the expansion of the sales and service tax (SST) is proof that it listens to the people, says unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil. 'Usually, the finance ministry does not change its position after it makes an announcement,' he said at an event in Pantai Dalam here today. Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government has decided to exempt imported apples and oranges from the expanded SST. He said the government acknowledged that many from among the poor and B40 income group would buy these imported fruits as they were affordable. The finance ministry previously said that the expansion of the SST from July 1, including a 5% rate on imported fruits, was strategically aimed at bolstering local agricultural demand and strengthening food security. Fahmi also hailed the Energy Commission's decision to lower electricity tariffs, saying this shows the government is genuine in implementing reforms that will benefit the public. On June 20, the commission said some 23.6 million domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia will enjoy fairer electricity rates, through the new tariff schedule approved by the government. Under the new tariff scheme from July 1 to the end of 2027, the base average tariff will be adjusted to 45.4 sen/kWh from the 45.62 sen/kWh which was approved in December 2024. The current base tariff of 39.95 sen/kWh was set from 2022 to 2024.
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Malaysia's Anwar relents, exempts imported apples and oranges from fresh tax after backlash
Imported apples and oranges will be exempted from the revised sales and services tax (SST), responding to public concerns, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Thursday. He stated that while it is preferable to consume local fruits such as papayas and bananas, the cabinet decided on Wednesday to exempt these popular fruits. Anwar conveyed this decision to the media after launching the Kota Madani project in Putrajaya's Precinct 19 on Thursday. 'There will not be exemptions for other imported fruits as we have many local fruits to choose from. However, we compromise with apples and oranges as there have been many requests from the public.' 'The sales value threshold will now be increased from half a million to 1 million ringgit (US$236,634). There will be further announcements and clarification on this,' Anwar added. In his speech earlier, he advised that it is better to eat a local banana a day rather than apples.
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Imported apples, oranges exempted from expanded SST
The government previously said it would review the revision and expansion of the sales and service tax for imported fruits, following concerns raised by industry players. (Envato Elements pic) PUTRAJAYA : The government has decided to exempt imported apples and oranges from the expanded sales and service tax (SST). Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government acknowledged that many from among the poor and B40 income group would buy these imported fruits as they were affordable. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the Cabinet had discussed the matter yesterday, although he was of the view that there was no need to consume imported fruits. 'But I saw that there is a lot of unease. Many of the poor and B40 still eat imported apples and oranges because it's cheap. 'Usually when a finance minister makes a decision, he won't budge. But I mentioned to my Cabinet colleagues that it's actually reasonable (to exempt imported apples and oranges from the expanded SST),' he said at the launch of the Madani City project here. The prime minister also quipped that the demand for apples was due to the saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. 'Because many have complained, yesterday we agreed to give the exemption. Imported fruits will be charged a small percentage of sales tax, but we will exempt apples and oranges.' When asked by reporters later if the exemption would be extended to other imported fruits, Anwar said: 'No, the feedback we received involved apples and oranges.' The finance ministry previously said that the expansion of the SST from July 1, including a 5% rate on imported fruits, was strategically aimed at bolstering local agricultural demand and strengthening food security.
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
PM Anwar: Apples, oranges to be exempt from SST rollout on imported fruits
PUTRAJAYA, June 26 — The government has opted to exempt apples and oranges from the revised and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) implementation that will encompass imported fruits. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision was made after taking into account concerns raised by the public, especially from lower-income groups. 'Since there are ongoing public concerns on the matter, we (the Cabinet) have agreed to provide some relaxations in that imported fruits are still taxed but exemptions given to apple and oranges,' he said in his speech at the Kota Madani groundbreaking ceremony here today. MORE TO COME
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
PM Anwar: Imported fruits like apples, oranges to be exempt from SST hike
PUTRAJAYA, June 26 — The government has opted to exempt imported fruits such as apples and oranges from it's revised and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) implementation. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision was made after taking into account concerns raised by the public, especially from lower-income groups. 'Since there are ongoing public concerns on the matter, we (the Cabinet) have agreed to provide some relaxations in that imported fruits are still taxed but exemptions given to apple and oranges,' he said in his speech at the Kota Madani groundbreaking ceremony here today. MORE TO COME
