logo
News@9: Today's top headlines - June 19, 2025 [WATCH]

News@9: Today's top headlines - June 19, 2025 [WATCH]

New Straits Times14 hours ago

Here are today's biggest stories.
Border crackdown
Police units assigned to border protection have been told to ramp up intelligence work to stop firearms smuggling.
Police inaction?
Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, widow of ex-finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, wants the IPCC to probe alleged high-level abuse of power over police delays.
The Federal Court has ruled that a Selangor fatwa declaring liberalism and pluralism as deviant cannot be enforced on Sisters in Islam.
SST adjustment
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the government will review the expanded SST on selected imported goods, including apples and mandarin oranges.
That's it for News@9.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

[UPDATED] Anwar: GST on hold as Malaysians still can't afford it
[UPDATED] Anwar: GST on hold as Malaysians still can't afford it

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

[UPDATED] Anwar: GST on hold as Malaysians still can't afford it

PUTRAJAYA: The government will not reintroduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for now, as the income threshold of many Malaysians remains too low, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that while GST is an efficient and transparent tax system, it would be inappropriate to implement it when lower‑income groups — especially those earning around RM2,000 — are not yet in a position to bear the burden. "When I was Finance Minister, I remember saying in Parliament that GST is one of the most efficient and transparent tax systems. However, I had to postpone its implementation because the income threshold of the people at the time was too low. "Although some might consider it a fair approach, many low‑income earners would still be impacted despite certain exemptions. "Even if we exempt essentials such as rice and sugar, these same people still have to spend on other goods and services, including transportation. GST affects every part of their daily lives," he said during the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly here today. He added that GST would only be reconsidered when salaries have risen closer to a more sustainable level, citing RM4,000 as a potential threshold for the future. "Let people's incomes rise first. Perhaps when the minimum wage is RM4,000, we can consider it. At the moment, many are earning RM1,700 or RM2,000. "Maybe I am not making the wisest decision, but my intention is simple — I do not want to introduce a tax that will burden the people prematurely. "Until incomes rise, it would not be right for the government to impose a tax that adds to the people's struggles. Let incomes grow first — then, perhaps, GST can be revisited," he said. The government had earlier announced a targeted review of sales tax rates and an expansion of the scope of the Sales and Services Tax (SST), which will take effect from July 1. The sales tax rate will remain unchanged for essential goods, while a rate of five or ten per cent will apply to non‑essential goods or at the government's discretion. Anwar added that if any party had better suggestions for tax implementation, these could be discussed openly, but he urged critics to refrain from disparaging the existing SST, which he said was introduced progressively. For example, he said, the decision to impose tax on imported fruit — which has become a controversial issue — in fact provides an opportunity for local farmers to produce more fruit domestically. "During my official trips to countries such as Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, I have never been served imported products at formal state events. They ensure that only local produce is served." He said beyond tax policies, the government must also focus on supporting local farmers, entrepreneurs and suppliers. "We have issued a directive for all departments and ministries to prioritise local produce and reduce reliance on imports. "Why import expensive items like codfish when we have quality local fish such as keli (catfish)? Let us use government procurement to benefit our own farmers and fishermen."

BTH: Tehran vs Tel Aviv, war in the Gulf, SST hikes & gun shooting [WATCH]
BTH: Tehran vs Tel Aviv, war in the Gulf, SST hikes & gun shooting [WATCH]

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

BTH: Tehran vs Tel Aviv, war in the Gulf, SST hikes & gun shooting [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: As the Middle East teeters on the brink of broader conflict following direct confrontations between Iran and Israel, Beyond the Headlines unpacks the far-reaching consequences of this escalation. Hosts Amalina Kamal and Hazween Hassan delve into how this geopolitical flashpoint could affect global oil prices, shipping routes, and Malaysia's economic and national security vulnerabilities. Joining the conversation are NST Op-ed and Foreign News Editor Azman Abdul Hamid and Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia analyst Maryam Ismail. The discussion explores whether Malaysia's foreign policy can maintain neutrality, how prepared we are for ripple effects across the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, and whether ASEAN can offer meaningful diplomatic intervention. Maryam, whose research spans Jewish-Muslim relations and the influence of Islamist movements, offers a nuanced perspective on Malaysia's strategic calculus in engaging with both Iran and Israel. Can Malaysia absorb another global supply shock? Is our national preparedness adequate in the face of a widening regional war? Also in this episode: • Growing concerns over gun violence in Kuala Lumpur, featuring Universiti Malaya criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum. • A sharp look at the looming 8% SST expansion and its potential blow to SMEs, with reaction from SAMENTA chairman Datuk William Ng. More in the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines. Watch on NST Online's YouTube. *This episode was recorded on June 19.

More reasons to honour the 40pc tax right: Star
More reasons to honour the 40pc tax right: Star

Daily Express

timean hour ago

  • Daily Express

More reasons to honour the 40pc tax right: Star

Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 Text Size: Hiew said the people of Sabah have long endured the underdeveloped infrastructure, lack of educational resources, and insufficient healthcare facilities, a reality of imbalanced development. Kota Kinabalu: The expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) set to be implemented in July, introduction of a targeted subsidy mechanism for RON95 petrol and the federal government's plan to implement a carbon tax by 2026, are reasons enough for the federal government to immediately implement Sabah's constitutional right to a 40pc net revenue return, without further excuses or delays. Star Tg Aru Division chief Hiew Choon Yu said according to the latest projection by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Sabah's tax revenue is expected to reach RM6.2 billion in 2025—a historic high that clearly demonstrates Sabah's major contribution to the national economy and tax system. Advertisement Hiew said the people of Sabah have long endured the underdeveloped infrastructure, lack of educational resources, and insufficient healthcare facilities, a reality of imbalanced development. 'Meanwhile, the taxes collected from Sabah by the federal government each year are grossly disproportionate to the allocations returned to the state. 'Under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution, Sabah is entitled to 40pc of net federal revenue collected from the state. However, this constitutional guarantee has never been truly enforced since 1969,' he said. He added that since 1974, Sabah's 40pc net tax revenue return has never been comprehensively reviewed or reassessed. Despite repeated government promises to review it, there has been no concrete progress. Advertisement 'In 2022, the Ministry of Finance even admitted the matter required 'further study,' deeply disappointing the people,' he said in a statement. Hiew noted that since 2024, the government has expanded SST to cover services including logistics, delivery, entertainment, maintenance, and repair—proving that the federal government already possesses the resources and mechanisms to redesign and implement tax policies 'Sabah is not a marginal state begging for handouts—it is part of the Federation and should receive a fair share of fiscal distribution.' * 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

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store