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Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Zahid says Cabinet to rethink SST on imported fruits like apples, oranges, to avoid weighing down low wage earners
BANGI, June 19 — The government will review the implementation of the revised and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) on several selected imported goods, including fruits such as apples and mandarin oranges, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today. He noted that the fruits are not produced locally but are fully imported, and therefore the tax should be reconsidered before imposing a rate of between five and 10 per cent. 'I believe it is reasonable for (the new SST rate on certain goods) to be reviewed and I think there will be an adjustment for certain materials to be categorised for tax at five to 10 per cent. '(But) don't take that conclusively,' he told reporters after officiating the Community Development Department (Kemas) Teachers' Day Celebration here. Earlier, Mydin Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin Mohamed described the move to impose SST on imported fruit as unreasonable, saying it would also affect low-income consumers. Responding to this, Ahmad Zahid said the views raised by Ameer Ali should be brought to the Cabinet meeting, as the issue concerns public access to imported fruits. 'The revenue from fruit tax to the country is not that high. So if SST is imposed, the price will increase. 'I know the purpose (of imposing SST on imported fruits) is to protect local fruits but we do not produce apples and mandarin oranges. I am sure the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy are also looking into the matter,' he said. On June 9, the government announced a targeted SST review set to take effect from July 1, 2025. The sales tax rate will remain unchanged for essential goods, while a five or 10 per cent rate will be applied to non-essential or discretionary goods. The scope of service tax has also been expanded to cover six new categories: rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education, and beauty. — Bernama
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
DPM Zahid: Govt to review SST on some imports including non-local fruits like apples, mandarin oranges
BANGI, June 19 — The government will review the implementation of the revised and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) on several selected imported goods, including fruits such as apples and mandarin oranges, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today. He noted that the fruits are not produced locally but are fully imported, and therefore the tax should be reconsidered before imposing a rate of between five and 10 per cent. 'I believe it is reasonable for (the new SST rate on certain goods) to be reviewed and I think there will be an adjustment for certain materials to be categorised for tax at five to 10 per cent. '(But) don't take that conclusively,' he told reporters after officiating the Community Development Department (Kemas) Teachers' Day Celebration here. Earlier, Mydin Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin Mohamed described the move to impose SST on imported fruit as unreasonable, saying it would also affect low-income consumers. Responding to this, Ahmad Zahid said the views raised by Ameer Ali should be brought to the Cabinet meeting, as the issue concerns public access to imported fruits. 'The revenue from fruit tax to the country is not that high. So if SST is imposed, the price will increase. 'I know the purpose (of imposing SST on imported fruits) is to protect local fruits but we do not produce apples and mandarin oranges. I am sure the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy are also looking into the matter,' he said. On June 9, the government announced a targeted SST review set to take effect from July 1, 2025. The sales tax rate will remain unchanged for essential goods, while a five or 10 per cent rate will be applied to non-essential or discretionary goods. The scope of service tax has also been expanded to cover six new categories: rental or leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, education, and beauty. — Bernama
Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Handle SST expansion impact wisely
"With GST, we clearly knew which items were taxable while SST is less clear and could lead to price uncertainty." Ameer Ali. SHAH ALAM – The expansion of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) scope by the government, set to take effect on July 1, is expected to impact several service sectors, including logistics and transportation. Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director, Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin, said the move requires careful consideration to minimise the ripple effect on the prices of goods, especially daily necessities such as food and imported items. He said increases in transport-related costs, such as charges at Port Klang, could potentially affect overall logistics costs, which in turn may influence retail prices. 'For example, container charges that were previously around RM300 could rise to RM400. 'This increase will affect rent, logistics and eventually prices for consumers,' he told Sinar on Tuesday. He added that in the context of tax systems, SST could sometimes cause confusion in terms of implementation and compliance, compared to the previously introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. 'With GST, we clearly knew which items were taxable. SST is less clearand this could lead to price uncertainty,' he said. However, he stressed that any move towards a change in the taxation system, such as reintroducing GST, should be done gradually and comprehensively. 'If the government intends to reintroduce GST, the approach must be well-planned and accompanied by suitable assistance mechanisms for low-income groups. 'This step is crucial to ensure the people are not burdened,' he said. He also emphasised the importance of coordination between various economic policies to avoid compounded pressure on the public. 'Each policy must be evaluated based on its overall impact so that the public does not suffer consequences from decisions made in isolation,' he said. More Like This
Rakyat Post
3 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
3 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.
