Zero sales tax on local fruits will boost economy

The government's decision to maintain a zero sales tax for local fruits will not only encourage Malaysians to incorporate these agricultural products into their daily diet but will also be able to contribute to the national economy, according to experts.
Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Malacca branch, Jasin campus, Associate Professor Fazleen Abdul Fatah said this was because, aside from being highly nutritious, local fruits would remain reasonably priced and accessible to the public.

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Focus Malaysia

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PMX's decree to stop using imported stuff at gov't functions defies commonsense, gets bashed

'ANWAR seems to have really lost the plot – that's not just my personal observation but also the sentiment echoed across several of my circles,' observed industrialist/thinker khalid karim STEMKITA (@khalidkarim in a recent post on X referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'Even some of his once-loyal supporters are expressing deep disappointment. I'm disappointed but still hoping he can turn it around.' Anwar seems to have really lost the plot — that's not just my personal observation, but also the sentiment echoed across several of my circles. Even some of his once-loyal supporters are expressing deep disappointment. I am disappointed but still hoping he can turn it around — khalid karim STEMKITA (@khalidkarim) June 19, 2025 Without a shadow of doubt, PMX seems to be getting a lot of flak lately for a series of pronouncements that not only seem to defy logic but detached or out-of-touch with man-on-the-street Malaysians. First, Anwar who doubled up as the Finance Minister was chastised for referring to GST as 'general services tax' in wanting to impose 'a little more tax' on avocado which implies imported fruits as part of Malaysia's expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) which takes effect on July 1. His latest decree? For official government functions to stop using imported food items in a bid to promote the use of local products. Anwar has directed all government departments to stop using imported goods, especially food, at official events in a bid to promote local — The Star (@staronline) June 20, 2025 For this, the reformist Madani government commander-in-chief found himself widely ridiculed for his instruction with many of his subjects pouring scorn on the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman's eureka moment. Many commenters on The Star's X feed wittily pointed out that even basic food items such as mee siam or cekodok pisang (literally, 'fried banana balls') would contain imported stuff. A very unimpressed Aunty Ana (@Ana_makhzan) counselled PMX to try doing some research before making such lofty pronouncements (in the future). '@anwaribrahim, @fahmi_fadzil. I hope this is a joke. Ask @MSabu_Official (for) we import onions, garlic and dried chillies, hence there're imported material in mihun goreng (fried rice vermicelli),' lectured the commenter. 'Even the cekodok made from local banana contains imported wheat flour. Next time do verify first before issuing an instruction.' One commenter even accused PMX of targeting Chinese fruit importers with this decree while another suggested that tapioca should be made a staple at parliamentary functions in accordance with the call by Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to resort to ubi kayu than to merely rely on rice. Other commenters chided PMX for not leading by example. Just use local marques instead of fancy luxury car models or even to stop barring the use of Evian mineral water or to start serving musang king durian at government events. One commenter observed that this was the same modus operandi implemented when Anwar was the finance minister during the 1998 Asian Financial Crisis. The response was no less scathing on the X feed of Malaysiakini. Anwar larang makanan import dalam acara rasmi — Malaysiakini (BM) (@mkini_bm) June 20, 2025 One commenter wryly observed that there would be no more buah kurma (dates) which is almost standard at government buka puasa functions during the fasting month. This news was also seized upon by a few commenters as a stick to beat PMX on the scarcity of local rice issue. One commenter came up with a brilliant alternate suggestion to save costs – just have fewer official functions while another wished the Madani administration best of luck given most local fruits at seasonal while those which are not such as bananas, guavas and pomelos have limited production (or even costlier). The temperature is definitely rising with the disgruntled comments seem to indicate. Has the long struggle to claim Putrajaya to be defined by a tenure scarred by the costs-of-living crisis, exacerbated by the Madani administration's numerous taxes? Judging by the tone of many commenters, it would appear PMX's popularity has taken yet another beating. Nobody said it was an easy job to be the #1 man in the country but perhaps it is advisable for PMX to rely on scripted text than to speak off the cuff on unfamiliar or complicated subjects. – June 21, 2025 Main image credit: Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook

New Straits Times

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