10/12/2025

WEDNESDAY | DEC 10, 2025

2

Green mobility, digital transformation advanced

Govt to retain SST, pursue reforms

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will retain the existing Sales and Services Tax (SST) structure while pursuing improvements to ensure a more efficient and effective tax regime, said Finance Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying. She said the move reflects the government’s approach to maintaining a targeted consumption tax, under which essential goods and services commonly used by most Malaysians are generally not taxed. “SST is a more targeted tax system and has been used in Malaysia for more than 40 years. It is familiar to industry, businesses and the public. “Its implementation also provides faster fiscal gains for the government,” she said during question time in the Dewan Negara here yesterday. She was responding to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk C. Sivaraj on whether the government is considering reinstating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or further enhancing SST to ensure the tax system remains resilient. Lim said the government has no immediate plans to reintroduce GST as household incomes remain generally low, making the broader-based tax more burdensome for most people. “The government acknowledges the strengths of GST. However, as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has explained, the government does not intend to implement GST at this stage. “Reintroducing GST would require a longer preparation period, possibly up to two years, to allow companies to update their systems before it could be rolled out.” She said the government weighed multiple considerations before deciding on the most appropriate tax approach to strengthen Malaysia’s fiscal position. “The government assessed the overall structure of the current tax system, potential areas for improvement, prevailing economic conditions, fiscal needs and the overall standard of living.” – Bernama Armed Forces await approval to go to Gaza MALACCA: Malaysia is awaiting the green light from the United Nations (UN) to deploy a peacekeeping contingent to Gaza for a humanitarian and security mission. Defence Deputy Minister Adly Zahari said the intent has been conveyed to the UN Security Council and the government is awaiting an official mandate before any decision can be finalised. “We are always prepared to send peacekeepers for international assignments and have a battalion on standby for such missions. “For the deployment of our personnel to Gaza, we must also take into account the consent of the Palestinian people, in line with Malaysia’s position that emphasises a comprehensive resolution, as achieving peace in Palestine requires a holistic approach.” Adly was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the state legislative assembly sitting here yesterday. He added that the government continues to uphold its international commitments, including through the deployment of 150 peacekeepers under the Malaysia Battalion 850-12 serving in Lebanon, with the mission expected to conclude at the end of next year. “Our forces are always ready to be mobilised to any location requiring an international peacekeeping mission.” Media reports previously said the Armed Forces is awaiting an official directive from the UN regarding the Gaza peacekeeping mission. Defence Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar was quoted as saying the Armed Forces is at a state of readiness to be deployed to undertake the mission. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia advanced two major pillars of its national development agenda yesterday – green mobility and digital transformation – as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed the Madani government’s commitment to sustainable growth and future-ready public services. The milestone was marked by the handover of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle from the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to the Prime Minister’s Department. The handover represents a significant step in strengthening the nation’s push towards green mobility through low-carbon technology and sustainable economic growth. Anwar said it also demonstrated the o PM reaffirms the initiatives reflect Madani govt’s commitment to sustainable growth

training centres to support continuous digital teaching and learning.” He said the council meeting, which he chaired on Monday, aimed to strengthen public-sector digitalisation under the Madani government’s innovation agenda to deliver faster, simpler and more transparent services centred on the public. To support Malaysia’s ambition of becoming a Global Digital Creative Hub by 2030, the government has drawn up the Digital Creative Ecosystem Roadmap 2026–2030, which aims to position the country as a leader in high-quality intellectual property creation and world-class creative talent development. “These initiatives form the foundation of phase three of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (2026–2030), which focuses on empowering businesses, improving living standards and driving digital economic reforms. “The Madani government will remain committed to delivering efficient, people-focused services to ensure Malaysia stays competitive, prosperous and prepared for the rapid changes of the digital era.”

confidence of local and international industry partners in Malaysia’s policy direction, especially in developing a national hydrogen ecosystem. He added that the handover would boost cross-border collaboration and spur automotive innovation across Southeast Asia, Bernama reported. “The Madani government will continue to lead the region’s transition towards green and smart mobility to ensure Malaysia is not only prepared for future needs, but also becomes a leader in shaping a cleaner, safer and more sustainable mobility landscape for generations to come.” On the digital front, Anwar announced that the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council has agreed to establish a Digital Transformation Unit in every ministry and accelerate the registration process for MyDigital ID. He said the council also endorsed efforts to advance MyGov Malaysia as a single artificial intelligence-driven digital gateway for government services. “Priority is also being given to expanding internet coverage and improving service quality at public universities and government

Anwar during the handover of the hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicle yesterday. – PIC COURTESY OF PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

Transport cooperation with S. Korea strengthened KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is strengthening cooperation with South Korea to support talent development, research and innovation in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). infrastructure. We build legacy,” he said in his keynote address at the Malaysia-Korea ITS Roadshow here yesterday.

ITS Roadmap 2030, a guiding document that shapes the next decade of digital mobility. “It is more than a policy document. It is our national pledge to deliver real impact, fewer road crashes, smoother travel, reduced emissions and a mobility experience worthy of a modern, forward-looking nation. “At the heart of every ITS initiative is a human story. It is about the mother driving home safely, the worker reaching the office on time, the emergency responder arriving faster and the child crossing the road without fear. That is why we pursue ITS, not for systems but for lives.” He said Malaysia’s mobility vision emphasises harmony, with safer journeys supported by predictive technology, smarter movement through digital connectivity, greener travel choices and people-first design forming the foundation of the future the country aims to build. – Bernama

Nanta said the roadshow provides a strategic platform for the exchange of knowledge, the sharing of innovation and the exploration of new opportunities in ITS, together with policymakers, industry experts, researchers and practitioners. He also said the event marks a historic development with the exchange ceremony of an inaugural memorandum of understanding between the Works Ministry and South Korea’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry. He said the agreement reflects the shared aspiration for stronger cooperation in the areas of ITS and smart tolling, sustainable construction technologies, as well as infrastructure maintenance and asset management. Nanta added that Malaysia is advancing the

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said South Korea’s global leadership in ITS, smart cities and digital technologies provides Malaysia with a strong strategic partner as it implements the Malaysia ITS Roadmap 2030. He said Malaysia and South Korea have built decades of close cooperation, noting that Korean engineering expertise has contributed to several major national infrastructure projects since the 1990s. “From the Penang Second Bridge to the Petronas Twin Towers, Korea’s engineering excellence stands proudly within Malaysia’s landscape. “These structures remind us that when Malaysia and Korea unite, we build more than