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Report
SST begins, Malaysians voice concerns over rising costs
The Star
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7/1/2025
As the expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) takes full effect on July 1, Malaysians are not only tightening their wallets — they’re also raising their voices, urging the government to grow the economy without placing further strain on the people.
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00:00
The Expanded Sales and Services Tax, or SST, has taken effect as of July 1st.
00:14
A sales tax of 5% to 10% now applies to selected and non-essential items.
00:20
While daily necessities such as rice, cooking oil and fresh produce remain exempt,
00:26
more services and premium goods are now taxed.
00:30
Prompting public complaints, as many Malaysians say, they are already struggling with the cost of living.
00:36
I went to a restaurant store, and I ate two rice.
00:43
The price is $4.
00:45
The SST is $90.
00:47
That's what I want to tell you.
00:50
If you want to eat, you want to buy a mask or a mask.
00:53
The SST is more expensive.
00:55
That's what we don't have to pay attention.
00:57
Because we take out the money a lot.
01:00
We give out the money that is more expensive.
01:02
The SST for a 90 cent of rice, it's expensive or not expensive?
01:06
Just eat two rice only.
01:09
I don't care about what you need.
01:11
The luxury, the gold, the asset, whatever.
01:15
With the economy now, the people are not able to buy for SST.
01:19
For the country, but not for the people.
01:22
Not for the people.
01:23
Not for the people.
01:24
Not for the people who live in the current situation.
01:26
Of course, we are not happy actually.
01:28
Because these additional charges apply to us.
01:32
Especially for the people.
01:34
So, in our day, we buy the goods here.
01:37
And then, we buy the goods for the price.
01:40
The government says the expanded SST is aimed at boosting national revenue
01:52
and reducing reliance on subsidies.
01:55
But many are calling for alternative solutions,
01:58
saying the rakyat is already stretched thin.
02:01
It may be good for the country, but currently I see now the rakyat is suffering.
02:07
So, maybe the government have to rethink or research again to see what can be done.
02:16
Because I don't think that you keep on asking from the rakyat is one of the good ideas.
02:22
Maybe the government should have asked for more investors to come in,
02:26
rather than you keep on asking from the rakyat.
02:29
You see that we try our best to help the country.
02:32
But now, we are suffering.
02:35
And then, everything is increasing.
02:36
You see the TNB is increasing.
02:38
The current electricity is increasing.
02:41
And then, the rental is increasing.
02:43
Everything is increasing.
02:44
So, it's very hard for us to survive.
02:47
If they increase everything, they say good for the country.
02:51
We are not talking about good for the country.
02:53
Good for the people who stay in this country.
02:55
How are they going to survive in the future?
02:56
And how are they going to go about this in the future?
02:59
That's what I am thinking as a personnel for everybody.
03:02
So, this is what my personal humble request.
03:05
The government try to reduce burden for those who live in this country.
03:11
About 2.
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?
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