
Image credit: The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The reinstatement of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) could reduce the rate of corporate tax in Malaysia, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Ayer Hitam member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said this was because Malaysia has the highest rate of corporate tax in the region, with 24 per cent compared to neighbouring countries such as Indonesia (21 per cent), Singapore (17 per cent) and Brunei (18.5 per cent).
Wee added that the high corporate tax rate imposed was also preventing foreign companies from setting up business in Malaysia.
"The abolishment of GST has caused Malaysia to have one of the highest corporate tax rates (in the region).
"Hence, foreign companies seeking to establish their businesses often prefer countries with more favourable corporate tax rates," he said during his debate for the 2024 Supply Bill in the Dewan Rakyat, today.
At the same time, Wee said GST was previously introduced to lower the corporate tax rate and allow Malaysia to match Singapore's tax system.
Following this, he urged the government to revive GST with several tweaks, including reducing the rate.
"Forget the past and just change the name if you do not like it.
"We can provide cash grants, reduce the six per cent rate to four per cent and improve the tax refund mechanism.
"Hence, let's move on for the interests of the people and the country and bring back the GST."
Previously, it was reported that the government is not ruling out reintroducing GST, which was abolished in 2018.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the government, however, will prioritise its strategy to widen the nation's revenue base, while focusing on redeveloping and rolling out the Capital Gains Tax that is slated to be implemented in 2024.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in March said Malaysia is not yet ready for GST anytime soon, adding that the people's income and threshold must be increased at a reasonable level for GST to be reinstated.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/10/968170/wee-ka-siong-bring-back-gst-lower-corporate-tax-attract-foreign-companies