Former Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Now Advocates Reintroducing GST for Economic Reforms

Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin has suggested that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should consider reintroducing the goods and services tax (GST) in 2026 as part of the government’s economic structural reforms.

Khairy Jamaluddin advocates reintroducing GST

While he praised the 2024 budget announcement increasing the sales and services tax (SST) from 6% to 8%, Khairy emphasized the need to expand the tax base by reintroducing GST. He expressed that this move should have been included in the 2024 budget, considering the four years remaining before the next general election expected in 2027.

Khairy commended Anwar’s budget for its commitment to economic structural reforms and reducing the fiscal deficit. He also supported the budget’s intention to rationalize subsidies, particularly restructuring diesel subsidies and removing temporary price controls for the chicken and egg market.