Latest news with #Ameer
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Don't tax apples, oranges and pears
Malaysian favourites: Fruit trader Chong Kau Moi, 72, arranging fresh fruits at Chai Leng Park 'Wai Sek Kai' food court in Perai, in this file photo. PETALING JAYA: Common imported fruits such as apples, oranges and pears are everyday staples for Malaysians and should not be subjected to a 5% sales tax, says Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin. The Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director said Malaysia does not produce enough fruit to meet local demand, making imports essential to ensure a consistent supply. 'Fruits are a basic necessity, just like protein. While local varieties such as watermelon and bananas are available year-round, supply is insufficient. 'Seasonal fruits like rambutan, mangosteen and langsat are not always in season, so imported fruit is necessary. Otherwise, are we expected to survive on just watermelon and bananas?' he said when contacted. 'Our climate doesn't support the cultivation of all fruits, such as apples, oranges and pears. Even strawberries are challenging to grow due to limited land in places like Cameron Highlands. 'On top of that, efforts to cultivate premium varieties – like Harumanis mangoes – only add to costs.' Under the expanded SST regime slated to be enforced on July 1, a 5% tax will be imposed on all imported fruits, while locally-grown produce will remain exempt. For example, strawberries grown in Cameron Highlands will not be taxed, but imported ones will be. Ameer expressed concern over the lack of clarity in the expanded tax as the government has yet to release a list of what will be exempted. 'The government has yet to release an exemption list, so for now, we have to assume all imported fruits will be taxed. The Prime Minister often refers to avocados, but not everyone eats them. 'We need transparency about what this tax actually covers. Labelling it a luxury tax is misleading and risks widening the gap between income groups,' he said. He added that while the policy may not entirely deprive the B40 group of fruits, it will certainly make them less affordable. 'It's misleading to claim that essential goods for the B40 are exempt when basic fruits are included. The government should be honest, this is clearly about revenue generation,' he said. Ameer added that the impact of the expanded SST on the prices of imported food will be compounded by other costs such as a 30% hike in cargo handling fees in Port Klang which will also begin in July. Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong echoed Ameer's concerns, saying that the sales tax should not apply to fruits such as mangoes, apples, oranges and dates. 'The reason is simple – the B40 group also consumes these fruits. Local production cannot meet the high demand for fruits,' he said. For instance, Malaysia only produces 19% of all mangoes eaten in the country while the rest are imported, Dr Wee said. 'All of these are far more affordable than avocados,' he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Rakyat Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Rakyat Post
'It Doesn't Make Sense' – Mydin Boss On Expanded SST On Imported Fruits
Subscribe to our FREE Ameer Ali Mydin, the managing director of Malaysia's foremost halal wholesaler and retailer, has come forward with a comment on the expanded sales and service tax (SST) that is coming into effect on 1 July. He considers the government's decision to tax imported fruits as something that 'does not make sense'. The renowned businessman said that, contrary to what people think, some of the imported fruits are also used by those in the low-income bracket, MalaysiaKini Apples, oranges, bananas are part of a healthy diet According to Ameer, fruits such as apples and oranges, as well as bananas are often associated with a healthy diet. He illustrated how such agricultural products are important to society, giving the example of such fruits being the gift of choice when visiting a patient at a hospital. 'I do not agree and it does not make sense that basic fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, and others will be subjected to SST. These are all B40 (group) foods,' he said. Image: Shopee Although there are arguments claiming that such fruits are produced locally, Ameer said current production in Malaysia is still insufficient and therefore needs to be imported. 'Bananas, for example, is locally produced but the supply is insufficient. A large portion of it is imported. Just like apples and oranges, bananas are considered as basic foods for the rakyat , particularly those in the B40 group,' he said, adding that even though fruits such as oranges and apples are imported, their prices are not too expensive and are still popular choices of fruit among low-income groups. Ameer: The government needs to make a more careful assessment of the SST Earlier, the government announced the expanded SST on various categories of imported fruits, and the decision was met with mixed reactions among the public, including concerns that it might affect the cost of living The proposal was made during the Budget 2025 tabling on 18 October, 2024, by Prime Minister cum Finance Minster Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He promised that the new SST scheme willbe progressive and assured that it will not burden Malaysian citizens. Anwar said then, that the SST will be imposed on non-essential and premium imported produce such as avocados and salmon. More recently, he defended the expanded SST by stating the step taken is aimed at taxing the rich, and only affects certain segments. Some users on social media have commented that the government's SST implementation on imported fruits show a clear disconnection with the people. As Ameer mentioned, fruits like apples, bananas, and oranges are actually more commonly consumed by Malaysians than the government thinks. Speechless — khalid karim STEMKITA (@khalidkarim) According to Ameer, the government must make a more thorough assessment before implementing the expanded SST. He gave an example of separating fruits that are categorised as 'the people's fruits' from luxury fruits that are enjoyed by a handful of people. Ameer also warned that the implementation of SST on such fruits will only cause their prices to soar and will ultimately put pressure on consumers. What else is being taxed (and not taxed) in the new SST revision? It seems that non-essential goods such as king crab, salmon, cod, truffle mushrooms, imported fruits (apples, oranges, grapes, berries, avocados etc.), essential oils, silk fabrics, and industrial machinery will get a 5% tax. Meanwhile, premium items like racing bicycles and antique hand-painted artworks will be taxed at 10%. The rest of the items affected by the revised SST can be found The good news is essential daily goods will not be taxed (taxed at 0%). These goods include chicken, beef, mutton, fish, prawns, squid, local vegetables and fruits, rice, barley, oats, wheat, flour, canned sardines, sugar, salt, white bread, pasta, vermicelli, noodles, instant noodles, milk, cooking oil, medicine, medical devices, books, journals, newspapers and pet food. READ MORE: READ MORE: READ MORE: Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Malaysiakini
4 days ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Mydin boss slams SST on imported fruits, calls for exemption
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Ameer Ali Mydin criticised the government's move to impose the sales and service tax (SST) on imported fruits, calling it 'nonsensical.' Ameer argued that, contrary to popular belief, some imported fruits are also consumed by low-income groups and should be considered essential food items.
Malaysiakini
4 days ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Mydin boss slams SST on imported fruits, calls for exemption
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Ameer Ali Mydin criticised the government's move to impose the sales and service tax (SST) on imported fruits, calling it 'nonsensical.' Ameer argued that, contrary to popular belief, some imported fruits are also consumed by low-income groups and should be considered essential food items.
The Print
31-05-2025
- The Print
Man stabbed to death as minor altercation leads to violent clash in UP's Bareilly
The dispute reportedly stemmed from an ongoing disagreement between two groups within a community regarding the distribution of awards during a Barawafat procession. The argument, which had been simmering, suddenly intensified, leading to a physical confrontation between the two sides. The incident occurred in the Kakartola area within the Baradari police station limits here, they said, adding that the victim has been identified as Arshad alias Guddu. Bareilly (UP), May 31 (PTI) A minor altercation escalated into a violent clash in this Uttar Pradesh district on Saturday evening, resulting in a 30-year-old man getting killed, police said. During the altercation, a man, identified as Ameer from one of the factions, allegedly pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed Arshad, leaving him critically injured, police sources said. Superintendent of Police (SP), City, Manush Pareek said, 'An investigation has been launched into the matter. Police teams are conducting raids at potential hideouts in search of the absconding accused, Ameer. He will be arrested soon.' Locals rushed Arshad to a nearby private hospital. However, despite the best efforts of doctors, Arshad succumbed to his injuries. The news of Arshad's death triggered commotion in the area, with a large crowd gathering outside the hospital. Police have taken the body into custody for post-mortem and deployed personnel in the area to maintain law and order. PTI COR CDN RC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
