Starting July 1, Malaysians will face several major changes — from taxes to electricity bills — as part of the government’s efforts to improve fiscal stability and energy efficiency.
Here’s what you need to know about what’s taxed and what’s exempted.
00:00Starting 1st July, Malaysians will face several big changes, from taxes to electricity bills,
00:08all part of the government's efforts to improve fiscal stability and energy efficiency.
00:14So, what exactly is changing?
00:19First up, the Sales and Services Tax, or SST.
00:24It's being expanded to include more items and services.
00:27Don't worry, essential goods like rice, chicken, seafood, cooking oil, medicine, books and school supplies remain tax-free.
00:35But premium or semi-luxury items like cheese, lobster, quinoa and smartphones will now carry a 5% sales tax.
00:44Even higher, at 10%, are items like caviar, cigars, alcoholic drinks and premium leather goods.
00:53So, for some of us, that trip to the grocery store or gadget shop might get a bit pricier.
01:00SST also now applies to more services, including equipment or commercial property rental, construction work,
01:07financial services like brokerage and commissions, private healthcare and education for non-Malaysians.
01:14Businesses have until 31st December 2025 to comply and won't be penalized during this transition.
01:21Next, your electricity bill.
01:24A new five-part tariff system is being introduced.
01:27Energy, automatic fuel adjustment, AFA, capacity, network and retail.
01:34Energy charge 27.03 cent per kilowatt hour for usage up to 1,500 kilowatt hours and 37.03 cent per kilowatt hour for usage above 1,500 kilowatt hours.
01:49Other charges include capacity charge 4.55 cent per kilowatt hour, network charge 12.85 cent per kilowatt hour, retail charge 10 ringgit per month, automatic fuel adjustment, AFA, updated monthly.
02:06Your bill may increase depending on usage.
02:09Consider switching to time of use, TOU, to better manage consumption.
02:14We know that as a university某-house people need to payah.
02:17However, I feel the person that is now willing to payah.
02:21A million households...
02:23Our expenses are going to pay from a lot of people in our homes are going to pay for a thousand dollars.
02:25The prices are going to pay for a thousand dollar.
02:28It's like plastic, they're going to pay for 8 percent.
02:31Okay, logistics is 10 percent.
02:34So, we see that they're going to pay for 2 percent.
02:37But for us, it's maybe 20% of the money we can do.
02:43But after that, the money has the minimum pages.
02:47So, I feel like it's a burden.
02:50When we are M40, sometimes I feel like I should be a worker.
02:56I'm aware of that but I'm not too happy about that also
02:59because we are paying a lot of payment every time
03:04because the government is increasing our SST and all this tax
03:09which is not very comfortable for our people
03:13because the low-income people also struggle.
03:15How are they going to implement this for the public?
03:19So, what can you do?
03:21Track your electricity bill closely in July.
03:24Budget wisely for premium goods.
03:26Business owners, register for SST, update billing systems.
03:30Follow TNB announcements on monthly fuel surcharges.
03:33These changes aim to strengthen Malaysia's economy
03:37and improve energy efficiency.
03:39But how they impact your daily life depends on how you plan and respond.
