KOTA BHARU: Extending the Sales and Service Tax (SST) to imported fruit is part of the government’s efforts to curb ongoing smuggling in border states, says Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that the move was also intended to encourage the public to prioritise local fruit.
"Some people are unhappy about the tax on imported fruit, but this is my way of ensuring that people choose local produce.
"Otherwise, smuggling will continue through border areas such as Sungai Golok in Kelantan, Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah and Wang Kelian and Padang Besar in Perlis”.
He made this statement while officiating at the closing ceremony of the Kelantan edition of the MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025, held at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu on Saturday (Aug 9).
Also present were Kelantan Menteri Besar, Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Chang Lih Kang; Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Anwar also said that some imported fruit, such as oranges and apples, remain exempt from the SST for now.
On June 27, Treasury secretary-general, Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, said that, while particular imported fruit such as strawberries, blueberries and avocados would remain subject to SST under the extension, the exemption for apples and oranges was intended to ease the financial burden on consumers, given their high consumption among Malaysians. – Bernama
