THE STRAITS TIMES: Malaysians fret over hotpot of bad economic news, as govt moves to expand sales and services tax

Kuala Lumpur Fruits Wholesalers Association president N.M. Chin, 61, said the nutritious imported fruits are essential for maintaining a healthy diet and should not be taxed.

“We want to appeal to the Finance Ministry next week to halt the SST imposition. Our domestic fruit production is insufficient to meet market demand. Some 70 per cent of fruits sold here is imported,” the veteran importer told ST at the Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market in Selayang on June 17.

She was concerned that if the Customs Department levies SST at the port, wholesalers would have to absorb losses should the fruits perish or become unappealing before they are put up for sale – sometimes 40 per cent of the fruits in a 40-foot container could end up spoilt.

Malaysia’s fruit trade deficit reached RM2.6 billion in 2023 due to high demand for temperate fruits such as apples, oranges and grapes, which are not suitable for cultivation in tropical weather.