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New Straits Times

[UPDATED] Anwar announces one-year levy exemption for all private education institutions

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has announced a one-year exemption on education levy payments for all private learning institutions, effective Jan 1 next year. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the move was aimed at reducing the financial burden faced by institutions across all levels, including preschools, primary and secondary schools, vocational colleges, and institutions of higher learning. "This is to allow these institutions to improve their resources and learning materials. "We want to ensure that our children receive the best possible training because that is the key to success," he said at the launch of National Training Week (NTW) 2025. Anwar said the decision followed extensive input from education and training institutions, which had appealed for support to ease operational pressures. As such, he called on the secretaries-general of the Education and Human Resources Ministries to closely monitor the implementation of the exemption to ensure it achieves its intended objectives. "I urge the relevant ministries to carry out this initiative as effectively as possible," he said. Anwar also reminded high-profit private companies not to neglect their responsibilities towards employees, particularly in terms of remuneration and wage increases. He said the skills and efficiency of private sector workers are highly valuable and deserve to be recognised as key contributors to the country's progress. "Several government-linked companies have already raised salaries, and I thank them. But there are still many skilled workers whose wages should be higher, given their expertise," he said. He added that the announcement aligns with the government's ongoing commitment to equitable economic growth and workforce development, particularly in conjunction with Labour Day.