KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia needs a clear and transparent tax system that remains the same despite any change in government, says Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin.
Radzi (PN-Putrajaya) said frequent changes to the country's tax framework had created uncertainty for businesses, particularly amid differing views among government leaders on whether the Goods and Services Tax (GST) should be reintroduced.
"Businesses out there are scratching their heads over a tax system that keeps changing. If the Sales and Service Tax (SST) is changed to a hybrid system, what would it look like?
"If we switch to GST, can GST reporting and e-invoice reporting be combined? Would there be a single, more comprehensive reporting system?" he said when debating Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 19).
The former education minister said the country could not continue operating with such uncertainty, adding that all political parties and leaders should sit together to discuss the best tax framework.
"Putting politics aside, we should put the interests of the people, the country and the economy first.
"We could consider an unconventional approach. It may not be SST, it may not be GST, or it could be any approach that we all agree on, so that whichever government comes to power, the basic tax system remains in place," he said.
He said the government should adopt a more open approach to discussing the country's tax framework and share data on the previous implementation of GST and the current SST system.
"With a clear system in place, any government can raise or lower tax rates, or expand or narrow the scope, within a clear and transparent basic tax framework.
"I will personally write to the Finance Minister to request the data needed for us to discuss this matter professionally and openly, for the future of Malaysia."
