Not the right time for new taxes, says Tengku Zafrul

PUTRAJAYA: It is not the right time to introduce any tax to increase government revenue, says Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

The focus now, he said, should be on revitalising the economy following a decrease in revenue owing to challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The government will study all types of taxes in order to fill the country's coffers.

"But the timing in doing so is also important.

"We believe that our economy is just into its recovery. It is not the right time to introduce any new tax or any change in taxes.

"The focus should be on revitalising the economy," he said here on Thursday (March 18).

Earlier, Tengku Zafrul held a briefing on the Pemerkasa economic stimulus package that was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Wednesday (March 17).

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