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Malaysia Edition: Price hikes on hold amid tariff fears

Malaysia Edition: Price hikes on hold amid tariff fears

Straits Times07-05-2025

Asian Insider: Malaysia Edition helps you connect the dots on the biggest stories playing out in Malaysia every week. Sign up here to get the newsletter in your inbox.
Malaysia is delaying price hikes as it grapples with US President Donald Trump's tariffs that threaten to trigger a global economic slowdown. This includes revising plans to cut subsidies for RON95 petrol – the fuel most commonly used by Malaysian motorists – and postponing a planned expansion of the sales and services tax.
On top of tariffs and price hikes, local business owners are also concerned about a plan by Malaysia and China to extend a mutual visa-free scheme from 30 days to 90 days. They fear that the influx of mainland Chinese will lead to people working illegally while on tourist visas.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur is doing its best to get on Washington's good side, announcing on Monday an immediate change of rules to curb false labelling of transhipped items.
Follow ST's coverage as we continue to bring you the latest developments.

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