Let them eat Musang King

GST sank Najib's BN, SST may capsize Anwar's Madani - PSM


Published: Jun 17, 2025 4:20 PM
Updated: 8:18 PM



Summary

• PSM cautions Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that the expanded SST on imported goods could lead to the Madani government’s downfall, just as the GST contributed to BN’s defeat in 2018.

• PSM’s K Arveent questions the logic of imposing SST on everyday imported fruits, arguing that this contradicts the government’s claim of only targeting the wealthy.

• PSM reminded Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim how the goods and services tax (GST) contributed significantly to BN’s downfall, warning that the Madani government may face the same fate over its sales and services tax (SST) expansion.

In a statement today, PSM central committee member K Arveent questioned the government’s logic in taxing imported fruits like apples, oranges, and grapes, asking how these basic items could possibly be considered luxury indulgences.

“For PSM, a government that is terribly afraid to increase taxes on the wealthy but easily does the same to ordinary people’s food is a tyrannical government.

“We champion property vacancy taxes, increased corporate taxes, and wealth taxes. We champion land for local farmers so that the country’s agricultural output increases,” Arveent said.

He added that PSM also fought tooth and nail against regressive consumption taxes, such as the current SST and the GST imposed during former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s era.

PSM central committee member K Arveent

“Anwar even joked that if one wants to eat avocados, one ought to pay more. Apples, oranges, and grapes are also imported, finance minister. Are these rich people’s food?

“Madani’s charade of supposedly only pressuring the wealthy is disingenuous.

“PSM wishes to remind you that amongst the reasons for the BN government’s downfall in 2018 was the GST, which Pakatan Harapan also opposed alongside us.

“The people will not hesitate to topple another government that brings the same suffering,” Arveent said.

Arveent added that, as per the Statistics Department’s numbers, 60 percent of staple foods are imported.

He added that the impact of the tax expansion on ordinary people who must purchase imported goods is stark.

“If the government wants this measure to encourage the purchasing of local goods, do their policies support local farmers?

“Under this same government, the forced eviction of vegetable farmers in Kanthan, Perak, occurred. Are ordinary people forced to pay higher taxes whilst local alternatives in the market are reduced?” Arveent asked.



Avocado and quinoa

Yesterday, acting Muda president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz compared Anwar and Najib after the prime minister, in his speech, defended the SST expansion to imported fruits as a necessary measure meant to tax the wealthy.

Anwar gave the impression that this would only impact those who consume expensive fruits like avocados.

However, his speech ignored the fact that the tax would be imposed on all imported fruits, including those that are cheap and accessible to lower-income groups, such as apples, which are exclusively imported.

Amira said Anwar’s remarks on avocados resembled Najib’s on quinoa.

During Najib’s tenure as prime minister in 2018, he faced criticism for revealing that he switched from eating rice to South American-produced quinoa.

Previously, consumer groups told Malaysiakini that the new SST rate for imported fruits, set to come into effect on July 1, could reduce access to essential nutrients, disproportionately affecting lower-income Malaysians.

While local fruits remain tax-exempt, the groups also raised concerns about potential supply shortages and price hikes.

Critics have also urged the government to boost local fruit production before the tax expansion to avoid unintended health consequences.