No tax on essentials: Mat Sabu says govt prioritising food security in SST expansion
KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — The government will continue to ensure essential goods like rice, cooking oil, vegetables, chicken and fish remain tax-free to safeguard the people's food security.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the implementation of revised Sales Tax (ST), effective July 1, only involves selected and premium goods, at a rate of 5 per cent or 10 per cent.
According to him, the items in this category include truffle mushrooms, racing bicycles and king crab.
'This is a balanced approach where most people won't be affected, while those who are better off can contribute fairly to the country's development.
'Insya-Allah, the Madani Government will continue to ensure policies that are formulated are centred on the principles of social justice and well-being of the people,' he posted on Facebook.
Based on the Ministry of Finance's explanation, the zero per cent sales tax is maintained for daily essential goods, like chicken, beef, lamb, fish, shrimp, squid, vegetables, local fruits, rice, barley, oats, wheat, flour, canned sardines, sugar and salt.
Also included are white bread, pasta, vermicelli, noodles, instant noodles, milk, cooking oil, medicine, medical devices, books, journals, newspapers and pet food.
Zero per cent sales tax is also retained for basic construction materials like cement, bricks and sand as well as agricultural sector inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and agricultural and livestock machinery.
The ministry added that the Madani Government had taken measures to ensure the ST is not imposed on daily essential goods to avoid directly affecting the cost of living for the majority of Malaysians and to maintain a controlled inflation rate. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Anwar hopes Rafizi, Nik Nazmi, reconsider decision to quit Cabinet
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had only approved the leave of two ministers at this time. PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he hopes the two ministers who recently submitted their resignation letters will reconsider their decisions. In a Bernama report, Anwar said while he had received the leave applications and resignation letters from the duo, he had only approved their applications to go on leave. '…Let them think about it. Personally, I would prefer that they remain in the Cabinet,' he said. On May 28, economy minister Rafizi Ramli and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad submitted their resignation letters. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) then issued a statement acknowledging their resignation letters but did not state if their resignations had been accepted. 'Any further decision on the matter will be informed later by the prime minister,' the statement read. Rafizi is on leave until June 16 while Nik Nazmi's leave ends on July 3. Nik Nazmi, a two-term MP, failed to defend his position as PKR vice-president at the party's divisional polls. He was Rafizi's running mate. Rafizi lost the PKR deputy president's post to Nurul Izzah Anwar. Anwar was speaking to reporters after attending an empowerment seminar and a closed-door meeting with PKR leaders in Melaka today. During the seminar, Anwar, who is also PKR president, called on party members to heal internal rifts and put aside dissatisfaction following its polls last month. He also stressed the need for unity and maturity in pursuit of the party's greater mission. 'Imagine this – I can work with Umno, even hugging it out,' he said. 'Surely we can move past our internal disagreements, too. Let's move on to the bigger agenda.'
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Rising costs top concern of Malaysian businesses: HSBC survey
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian businesses are grappling with rising costs and persistent supply chain disruptions, prompting them to reconsider their strategies and investment plans. According to HSBC's 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey, the ongoing changes in tariffs and evolving trade policies continue to exert pressure on local companies, reshaping the landscape for growth and operations. Insights from the survey capture the perspectives and intentions of more than 5,700 international firms across 13 markets, including Malaysia, on the challenges and outlook related to tariffs and global trade. The survey found that, currently, the biggest concern for more than half of Malaysian businesses (55%) is rising costs due to tariffs and other trade-related factors. In response to this, 42% of Malaysian businesses have shifted their focus to domestic markets, prioritising local customers and reducing international exposure while 40% of businesses plan to do the same. In addition, the survey showed 37% of Malaysian businesses have increased their inventory levels to manage supply disruptions, with 49% planning to do so as well. Despite global uncertainties, 250 Malaysia-based companies surveyed are optimistic about their international growth but need external strategic advice on the matter, the findings showed. Furthermore, 91% of companies are confident that they can grow international trade, surpassing the 89% global average. More encouragingly, 73% believe that trade uncertainty has prompted their business to evolve and explore new opportunities, while 55% are seeking strategic advice on international expansion, restructuring or supply chain realignment. Considering current trade dynamics, Malaysia-based businesses are adapting their trade strategy to significantly increase connections with China (61%), South Asia (55%) and North Asia (44%). Beyond Asia, Malaysian businesses also plan to trade more with Europe and the United States (both 32%). HSBC Malaysia CEO and head of banking Datuk Omar Siddiq said despite the challenges posed by the uncertain tariff and trade landscape, businesses in Malaysia are demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the way they operate. 'While supply chains may be further reconfigured, there continues to be strong potential for local companies to leverage on Malaysia's strong trade ties, particularly in Asia. Having said that, it is key to note that markets like the US remain key trade destinations for Malaysia for high-value sectors such as electronics and semiconductors,' he said in a statement. While managing costs is top of mind for Malaysian businesses during this period of global uncertainty, the HSBC survey noted that companies are using the opportunity to innovate and adopt new technologies to boost operational efficiencies. It showed that 64% of Malaysian businesses have adopted new technology or digital platforms, while 48% have developed new products and services. Other growth opportunities that Malaysian businesses are considering include shifting their focus to domestic or regional growth (57%) and improving their internal efficiencies or changing their cost structures (54%). During the current period of trade disruption, Malaysian businesses find cash and liquidity management as the most helpful form of support in managing working capital (64%), followed by improved payment terms with buyers and suppliers (56%) and supply chain finance (55%). 'With over 70% of Malaysian businesses anticipating sustained cost increases from the impact of tariffs and trade uncertainty on the cost of doing business, and businesses facing an average 18% drop in revenue, the imperative for strategic adaptation is clear. 'Despite uncertainties, the world is also full of opportunities. Navigating this climate requires not only agility, but strong partnerships to ensure sustained growth in a shifting global economy,' Omar said.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Nearly 160,000 harmful online content removed this year, says Fahmi
Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said 57% of the removed content was from Facebook, 28% TikTok, and 13% YouTube. PETALING JAYA : Social media platforms Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube have removed 159,518 pieces of harmful content related to online gambling, scams, cyberbullying, and fake news as of yesterday, says communications minister Fahmi Fadzil. These removals were part of 174,473 takedown requests made so far this year, Bernama reported him as saying. 'About 51% of the content involved online gambling, 25% were related to scams, 12% cyberbullying, and 9% fake news,' Fahmi said at the ministry's monthly assembly. He said 57% of the removed content was from Facebook, 28% TikTok, and 13% YouTube. These three platforms account for nearly 95% of the problematic content identified. Fahmi also raised concerns about the continued presence of child exploitation content online, especially on Facebook. 'This raises questions about whether current laws and cooperation are enough, or if we need a more strategic approach,' he said, citing last year's joint operation, known as Op Pedo, between the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). On efforts to regulate social media, Fahmi noted that a new licensing framework introduced earlier this year aimed to make digital platforms safer, especially for children. He also highlighted the Online Safety Act (OnSA) 2024, passed in Parliament last December and set to be enforced soon. The Act gives MCMC the authority to act against platforms that fail to meet safety requirements. The OnSA has received royal assent from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim and is currently being prepared for enforcement.
