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Malay Mail
28-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
SST exemptions for key construction projects, including homes, parks, and public toilets, says Ahmad Maslan
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The government continues to support the construction sector by granting Sales and Services Tax (SST) exemptions for selected projects, particularly those involving residential buildings and public facilities, including houses of worship, recreational parks and public toilets, said Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan. He said essential building materials such as cement, aggregate (gravel) and sand remain zero-rated under the sales tax to help reduce the burden on developers and ensure the continuity of infrastructure projects. 'Selected business-to-business (B2B) activities are subject to certain conditions. For instance, main contractors are subject to SST, but not to subcontractors earning below the threshold of RM1.5 million,' he said during an oral question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today. Ahmad was responding to a question from Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis) regarding the categories of construction projects exempted from SST, as well as the ministry's steps to ensure that existing projects are not affected by its implementation. In line with the government's commitment to implement SST fairly and effectively, he said, companies and contractors that carry out contracts that do not allow for review will be granted a one-year exemption, subject to terms and conditions. 'This incentive is part of the government's measures to ensure the construction industry has sufficient time to adjust the system, streamline the registration process and obtain accurate clarification on the implementation of SST,' he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad said that there has been no discussion to increase the threshold value for registration of taxable services for the construction sector from RM1.5 million to RM3 million. He was responding to a supplementary question from Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai) regarding the industry's proposal for the threshold value for registration of SST taxable services to be increased from RM1.5 million to RM3 million, particularly for construction and rental and leasing categories. — Bernama

The Star
28-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Govt to ensure SST exemption for eligible construction projects
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has introduced proactive measures to fine-tune and implement targeted sales and service tax (SST) exemptions for eligible construction projects, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan ( pic ) said these exemptions include construction services related to residential buildings and public facilities such as places of worship, public toilets and recreational parks. 'The government recognises the importance of ensuring that the construction sector is not adversely affected by the implementation of SST. 'Therefore, we have taken steps to provide exemptions for specific categories of projects deemed eligible,' he said on Monday (Jul 28). Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis) asked about the types of construction projects that are exempt from SST, and the ministry's approach to ensure that ongoing developments are not disrupted. Ahmad said certain business-to-business (B2B) activities are subject to specific conditions. For example, while main contractors may be subject to SST, subcontractors involved in projects valued below RM1.5mil are exempt. Additionally, he said essential construction materials such as cement, gravel and sand remain zero-rated for sales tax as part of the government's effort to support the sector. He also said there are currently no plans to increase the SST threshold, which will remain unchanged. 'There have been no discussions to raise it to RM3mil,' he said. On project timelines, he stressed that the ministry does not tolerate delays. 'We do not like late work. After two or three extensions of time (EOT), the companies involved will be fined daily. 'Once they are penalised, they will not be awarded future projects,' he said.


BusinessToday
28-07-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
SST Relief, Foreign Business Rules And Animal Welfare On Dewan Rakyat Agenda
The government's assurance to prevent ongoing construction projects from being impacted by the Sales and Services Tax (SST) and policies governing businesses run by foreign nationals are among the key matters in focus at today's Dewan Rakyat sitting. According to the Order Paper, Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis) has asked the Works Minister to specify which construction projects are exempted from SST and outline measures to ensure the tax does not disrupt ongoing works. He also queried whether the MADANI Government would consider a grace period before applying SST to the construction sector. Separately, Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) will seek clarification from the Housing and Local Government Minister on the policy allowing foreign nationals to operate businesses, particularly in retail. He also raised concerns about premises registered under citizens' names but fully managed by foreign operators, including cases involving the use of a spouse's name. Attention will also be drawn to animal welfare issues, as Wong Chen (PH-Subang) asks the Agriculture and Food Security Minister if a national framework will be introduced to combat stray animal abuse and whether collaboration with NGOs, local authorities and experts is on the cards. Following the Q&A session, two bills – the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025 and Education (Amendment) Bill 2025 – are set for first reading, while the second reading will cover amendments to the Poisons Act, the Offenders Compulsory Attendance Act and validation of ferry fees at Pengkalan Kubor. The second meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament runs for 24 days until Aug 28. Related


New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Dewan Rakyat to debate SST in construction, foreign-run businesses
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's efforts to ensure ongoing construction projects remain unaffected by the Sales and Services Tax (SST), along with the policy allowing foreign nationals to operate businesses in Malaysia, are among the key issues highlighted in today's Dewan Rakyat sitting. According to the Order Paper published on the official Parliament website, Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS–Tanjong Manis) is set to question the Works Minister on the categories of construction projects exempted from the SST. He is also seeking clarification on the measures the ministry is taking to ensure that ongoing construction projects remain unaffected by the tax. Yusuf is further expected to ask whether the Madani government will consider introducing a grace period before fully implementing SST in the construction sector. Meanwhile, Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN–Hulu Selangor) will raise a question to the Minister of Housing and Local Government regarding the current policy that allows foreign nationals to operate businesses in Malaysia, particularly in the retail sector. He is also requesting clarification on enforcement action taken against premises registered under Malaysian citizens' names — but which are fully operated by foreign nationals — including cases involving the use of a citizen wife's name to register the business. Also drawing attention today is a question on the abuse of stray animals, posed by Wong Chen (PH–Subang) to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. Wong seeks to know whether the ministry intends to introduce a comprehensive national framework to address the abuse of stray animals. He is also asking whether the ministry will collaborate with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local authorities, and animal welfare experts to implement an integrated and holistic approach. Following the Q&A session, the Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to proceed with the tabling of two bills for first reading: the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025 and the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025. The sitting will then continue with the second reading of three bills: the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025, the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament is scheduled to run for 24 days, concluding on Aug 28. - BERNAMA


The Star
28-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
SST in construction industry among Dewan Rakyat's focus today
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's move to ensure ongoing construction projects are not affected by the Sales and Services Tax (SST) is among the highlights of the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Monday (July 28). According to the Order Paper on the official Parliament website, Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis) has asked the Works Minister to state the categories of construction projects exempted from SST and what measures the ministry is taking to ensure the tax does not impact ongoing construction projects. He also wanted to know whether the Madani government would consider granting a grace period before imposing the SST on the construction sector. At the same session, Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) will ask the Minister of Housing and Local Government about the current policy on the freedom of foreign nationals to operate businesses in Malaysia, especially in the retail sector. He has also requested clarification on the action taken against premises registered under a citizen's name but fully operated by foreign nationals, including cases involving the use of a wife's name who is a citizen. Also to draw attention is a question on the abuse of stray animals, raised by Wong Chen (PH-Subang) to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. Wong wishes to know whether the ministry will introduce a comprehensive national framework to address stray animal abuse and whether it will collaborate with non-governmental organisations, local authorities and animal welfare experts to implement an integrated and holistic approach. Following the Q&A session, the Dewan Rakyat sitting is scheduled to proceed with the tabling of two bills for first reading, namely the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025 and the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025. The sitting then continues with the second reading of the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025, the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament will be held for 24 days until Aug 28. - Bernama