Exclusion of service duties implemented to maintain Malaysia’s competitiveness in industry

Growth has upside potential of up to 4.4 per cent, recent cut in US reciprocal tariffs, others may provide short-term relief

KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — The government's plan to reduce the price of RON95 petrol is widely seen as a positive step to ease living costs and support private consumption amid global economic uncertainties, said investment banks.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that every policy implemented by the government must benefit the people and not burden the majority, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s (KPDN) Kuala Lumpur branch has issued 47 notices to traders over price adjustments following the increase in the Sales and Service Tax (SST) rate from six to eight per cent.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to cut the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent is a proactive stance to stimulate business activity, sustain domestic demand, bolster growth and maintain Malaysia’s economic resilience.

PUTRAJAYA, June 30 — The government upholds transparency and is ready to accept any criticism regarding the taxation system, provided it is based on facts, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

By Yasmin Ramlan SHAH ALAM, June 25 — Three major policy changes are set to come into force starting July 1, as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s fiscal position, promote energy efficiency, and phase out outdated fuel technologies. They are the expansion of the...

By Danial Dzulkifly SHAH ALAM, June 23 — With the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) set to take effect next month, consumer groups are calling on the government to zero-rate essential services, expand the Budi Madani cash aid programme, and introduce a national price transparency framework to...

ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 19 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given assurance that the government will not raise the price of RON95 petrol, even if there is a sharp increase in global crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions involving Iran and Israel.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — Earnings in the construction sector are expected to remain on an upward quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) trajectory in the second quarter of 2025 (2Q 2025), supported by increased construction site activities following 1Q 2025 festive breaks, according to CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 — Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) Sasana Symposium 2025 (SS2025) reaffirmed the ongoing and urgent need for collective action in advancing structural reforms to enhance the nation’s long-term resilience.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 — MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd remains bullish on Malaysia’s property sector this year with buying interest expected to stay healthy.

PUTRAJAYA, June 9 — The government will implement a revision of the Sales Tax rates and an expansion of the Service Tax’s scope, effective from July 1, 2025, to strengthen the country’s fiscal position by increasing revenue and broadening the tax base.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 — The finalised sales and service tax (SST) scope of expansion and the review of the SST rates will be gazetted through subsidiary legislation in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025 after the engagement process is completed to allow sufficient preparation before enforcement of the changes.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — On March 1, Malaysia’s revised service tax came into effect, rising from six per cent to eight percent.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 — The government will prioritise improving the current tax system before assessing the need to reintroduce new tax such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST), said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 — Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Fuziah Salleh cautioned traders unaffected by the Sales and Service Tax (SST) hike to not take advantage by raising prices to garner extra profits from consumers.

TAWAU, March 3 —The  Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) inspected 1,016 business premises and issued 24 notices during a two-day Ops Kesan conducted from March 1 following the increase in the sales and service tax rate (SST) from 6 per cent to 8 per cent.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 — The meeting of the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) on March 20 will discuss the proposal to exempt water and electricity bills from the sales and service tax (SST) hike, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.