13/11/2026

FRIDAY | NOV 13, 2026

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Minister spells out conditions for house arrest arrangement

Reintroducing GST not viable when incomes low: Anwar KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised that the government position against reintroducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not driven by political considerations but by a commitment to ensuring that the taxation system does not burden the people. Anwar said reintroducing GST while incomes remain low is not a viable option as the tax is broad-based and could potentially increase the cost-of-living burden. However, he said the government is open to making adjustments to the existing Sales and Services Tax (SST) system, including addressing the double taxation issue raised by industry players, without having to revert to GST. “I am not dogmatic when it comes to economics. The system remains SST but if we can make one or two adjustments to improve it, why not? “I am firmly against the GST. It’s not about politics. If it benefits the economy and the people, I will go ahead with it,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. He was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran), who wanted to know if the reluctance to reintroduce GST stems from the political stance of previous administration leaders rather than economic considerations. Anwar said the main difference between the two tax systems is that GST is imposed broadly on consumers while SST is more focused on the business level, although some of the tax burden could also be passed on to consumers. He said the implementation of GST could only be considered when income reaches a higher level, for instance, a minimum income of RM4,000, to ensure that the tax does not place an excessive burden on low-income groups. Anwar said about 2,000 types of goods and services were exempt from tax under SST compared with fewer than 750 under GST. – Bernama Nation to uphold One China policy, Taiwan ties KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not compromise its foreign policy principles for trade or investment interests, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, reaffirming the country’s longstanding One China policy while pledging to safeguard trade and investment ties with Taiwan. He said Malaysia, as an independent and sovereign nation, would uphold its foreign policy position adopted in 1974 despite possible objections from certain quarters in Taiwan. He added that the government would take the necessary measures to safeguard trade and investment relations. “We are maintaining relations to ensure investments are not affected. As I explained earlier, there are no signs of any impact on investments,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. – Bernama

Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

additional location for his house arrest has been rejected. Saifuddin Nasution said the Prisons Department had also been empowered to introduce additional regulations for Najib’s supervision and monitoring, with the relevant instructions and procedures communicated to him before his transfer to his residence. The conditions also prohibit Najib from relocating to another house, building or premises or leaving his designated residence without obtaining prior written approval. However, he said arrangements would be made to allow him to attend religious activities, including Friday prayers at a mosque or surau.

o Pardons Board permits former PM to share home with only immediate family members

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak is allowed to share his residence only with immediate family members while serving the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the conditions imposed by the Federal Territories Pardons Board permit Najib to live with his wife, children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. He said individuals outside the permitted family circle must secure prior written approval from the

the other conditions governing his house arrest are restrictions on his engagement with the media and prohibition from taking part in political activities throughout the remainder of his sentence. He was responding to a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) on the specific restrictions imposed on Najib. Saifuddin Nasution said Najib is also barred from leaving his residence without written approval. Meanwhile, Najib’s request to use a second residence as an

board before they can stay at the residence. Najib is also not allowed to receive visitors unless written permission has been obtained. He added that the Pardons Board had established restrictions covering four main areas, namely accommodation and personal associations, movements and visitors, the use of telephones and communication devices as well as participation in rehabilitation and intervention programmes. Saifuddin Nasution said among

Madani govt successful in reducing fiscal deficit, says PM KUALA LUMPUR: In line with its commitment under the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), the Madani government has undertaken fiscal reforms that have successfully narrowed the fiscal deficit from 6.4% in 2021 to 5.5% in 2022, 5.0% in 2023, 4.1% in 2024 and 3.7% in 2025, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the deficit is projected to narrow further to 3.6% in 2026, 3.3% in 2027 and 3.0% in 2028. Anwar said the narrowing deficit had reduced the government’s borrowing requirements, with new borrowings falling to RM75.6 billion in 2025 from RM76.8 billion in 2024, RM92.6 billion in 2023 and RM100 billion each in 2021 and 2022. “Net borrowing requirements for 2026 are expected to remain around last year’s level of debt obligations despite the government facing higher subsidy pressures arising from the conflict in West Asia.” He said the federal government’s debt-to-GDP ratio is also on a downward trajectory, projected to decline to 64% in 2026 from 65.2% in 2025. Anwar said the ratio is expected to fall further to 63.7% in 2027 against the FRA target of 60%. He said new borrowings by the government are used to finance national development, including schools, hospitals, roads, water and electricity supply. “We also have to meet inherited financial obligations. In 2023 alone, RM13 billion was needed to redeem 1MDB bonds.” Anwar, who is also Finance minister, said as long as the national budget remains in deficit and is financed through borrowings, the country’s total debt would continue to increase. “Debt is cumulative. Net borrowings in the current year add to the outstanding debt from previous years that has yet to be repaid. “The Madani government took office with an already towering debt burden exceeding RM1 trillion,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Anwar said new borrowings under the Madani government are used to finance national development, including schools, hospitals, roads, and water and electricity supply. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/ THESUN

into account, the broader debt and liabilities ratio stood at 80.7% as of June 2026, down from 80.9% at end 2022 and 80.3% in 2017. Anwar said fiscal management is aimed at ensuring that fiscal policy remains expansionary to support economic growth. He said targeted subsidies had also helped shield the public from fluctuations in global oil prices arising from the conflict in West Asia. Anwar said as the Madani government approaches its fourth anniversary, economic indicators continue to point to encouraging fundamentals that would strengthen the country’s resilience. – Bernama

He added that prior to 2018, some government expenditure was also financed through off-balance sheet arrangements, including government-guaranteed commitments and public-private partnership projects. He said although these commitments were not recorded as direct debt, they still had implications for the government’s financial position and could potentially become liabilities for the country. Anwar said as such, the direct debt figure of about 50% of the GDP at the time did not reflect the country’s full financial commitments and liabilities. He said taking debt and liabilities

He was responding to Howard Lee Chuan How (DAP-Ipoh Timor), who asked why the government had yet to reduce national debt to a more sustainable level and to what extent the current fiscal position provides room for intervention measures to protect the economy and public wellbeing should the conflict in West Asia escalate. Addressing claims that the previous administration had recorded a lower debt-to-GDP ratio, Anwar said such comparisons do not provide a complete picture of the country’s financial position. “This is because comparing debt to-GDP ratios alone is insufficient to assess the government’s overall financial obligations.”