Zero Sales Tax On Local Fruits Will Strengthen National Economy
By Nor Farah Aqilah Mohd Sham and Siti Maisarah Abdul Ghani
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- The government's decision to maintain a zero Sales Tax for local fruits will not only encourage Malaysians to incorporate these agricultural products into their daily diet but will also be able to contribute to the national economy, according to experts.
Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Melaka branch, Jasin Campus, Associate Professor Dr Fazleen Abdul Fatah said this was because, aside from being highly nutritious, local fruits would remain reasonably priced and accessible to the public with the zero Sales Tax in place.
"Local fruits such as papaya and mango are naturally very rich in various nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and fibre, which are good for addressing skin, cellular, and heart-related health issues.
"The content of bioactive compounds found in local fruits is also able to act as natural antioxidants, boost the immune system, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and many more," she told Bernama.
According to Fazleen, local fruits will also be more easily available because these agricultural products do not need to go through a long transit period to be in the market, compared to imported fruits
'Purchasing local fruits can also help ensure the country's agricultural industry continues to grow and stabilise the food sector,' she said.
A lecturer at the Department of Food Services Management, UiTM Puncak Alam, Selangor, Associate Professor Dr Zuraini Mat Issa@Zakaria, said Malaysia could reduce its dependence on imported fruits if the community prioritised local fruits
'In addition to the high costs of importing foreign fruits, it also contributes to a larger carbon footprint and environmental impact due to long transportation distances, high energy consumption for storage and packaging, and increased greenhouse gas emissions,' she said.
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