Don’t tax apples, oranges and pears
By KHOO GEK SAN
Nation
Wednesday, 18 Jun 2025


Malaysian favourites: Fruit trader Chong Kau Moi, 72, arranging fresh fruits at Chai Leng Park ‘Wai Sek Kai’ food court in Perai, in this file photo.

PETALING JAYA: Common imported fruits such as apples, oranges and pears are everyday staples for Malaysians and should not be subjected to a 5% sales tax, says Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin.

The Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director said Malay­sia does not produce enough fruit to meet local demand, making imports essential to ensure a consistent supply.

“Fruits are a basic necessity, just like protein. While local varie­ties such as watermelon and bana­nas are available year-round, supply is insufficient.

“Seasonal fruits like rambutan, mangosteen and langsat are not always in season, so imported fruit is necessary. Otherwise, are we expected to survive on just watermelon and bananas?” he said when contacted.

“Our climate doesn’t support the cultivation of all fruits, such as apples, oranges and pears. Even strawberries are challenging to grow due to limited land in places like Cameron Highlands.

“On top of that, efforts to cultivate premium varieties – like Haru­manis mangoes – only add to costs.”

Under the expanded SST regime slated to be enforced on July 1, a 5% tax will be imposed on all imported fruits, while locally-grown produce will remain exempt.

For example, strawberries grown in Cameron Highlands will not be taxed, but imported ones will be.

Ameer expressed concern over the lack of clarity in the expanded tax as the government has yet to release a list of what will be exempted.

“The government has yet to release an exemption list, so for now, we have to assume all imported fruits will be taxed. The Prime Minister often refers to avocados, but not everyone eats them.

“We need transparency about what this tax actually covers. Labelling it a luxury tax is mislea­ding and risks widening the gap between income groups,” he said.

He added that while the policy may not entirely deprive the B40 group of fruits, it will certainly make them less affordable.

“It’s misleading to claim that essential goods for the B40 are exempt when basic fruits are included. The government should be honest, this is clearly about revenue generation,” he said.

Ameer added that the impact of the expanded SST on the prices of imported food will be compounded by other costs such as a 30% hike in cargo handling fees in Port Klang which will also begin in July.

Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong echo­ed Ameer’s concerns, saying that the sales tax should not apply to fruits such as mangoes, apples, oranges and dates.

“The reason is simple – the B40 group also consumes these fruits. Local production cannot meet the high demand for fruits,” he said.

For instance, Malaysia only produces 19% of all mangoes eaten in the country while the rest are imported, Dr Wee said.

“All of these are far more affor­dable than avocados,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025...anges-and-pears

so many malnourish kids and long term health repercussion

B40 eat local fruits.

Please don't tax Apple cos iPhone already very expensive

PMX don't care.

He just wanna generate Robin Hood image for himself.

And the elite tier in the Govt, never need to do grocery shopping sendiri.

taxing fruit is actually the stupiest thing i've ever heard from gov

KKM keeps asking malaysians to consume more vege and fruit, eat more healthy
thn on the other side the gov keep taxing these stuff

but refined sugar is tax free

Eat apples and orange doesn't mean we are rich eating imported stuffs la bmx. Everyday eat langsat rambutan ke

B40 don't eat fruit. Only fruit flavored syrup.

Abis la mkn meggi & minum milo je

Eh jgn bagi idea baru…

milo today is not only full of sugar, it's also expensive AF

Instead of taxing fruits, tax the rempits, lajaks and start a breeding tax.

malaysia mau bankrupt sudah ka tax sini tax sana

+999!!!

WHO DID YOU VOTE FOR?

dont complain...deserve anwar as PMX

Dik need money to build schools and hospitals in palestine

meanwhile anwar approve mahathir japan trip of 500k

BANKRUPT u said????????????????

first question, b40 buy fruits?
i born in t20 family also my father hardly buy fruits. what we eat the most were rambutan and mangoes because we got it from our trees.

Instead of taxing the rakyat, why don't collect back the money from these people?

Apa sarahan type fruits

Coz Najib is coming back as next PM.

…and govt wonders why ppl stop breeding. Getting too expensive just to survive.

yes, gomen need money.

if anwar the populist need to do this, chance are our financial situation already fark up badly.

Malaysia has (had?) the money but probably wrongly allocated.

but but so easy approve mahathir 500k trip to japan

fark up u said???????????

how you know it was easy?
ex-pm have allocation set by the gonverment, if deny the allocation and kena sue, you are going to spend way more than rm500k

fuh, daring post including kucing

infact it will impact other region exporter like Australia.

1.which law said so? sue on what basis?

2.if got such law
why cannot change law since anwar has 2/3 in parliament?

3.why cannot deny and saying malaysia bankrupt soon? and let rakyat know? the reason of rejection?

it can only applies to upcoming PMs, not the previous wan.
thats what happened to our pension system, you cant tarik balik pension to the existing gonverment servant that already signed for pension previously, its the agreement paper that need to fulfilled by both parties.

Drs celebrate because can't keep them away without apples now



That said, tropical fruits are actually better nutritionally, but some also very sugary

1. since u said apply to upcoming so now has it being remove?

2. why u talk about PENSION when i ask about such allocation approval on trip?
does trip allocation is part of pension? need to show such documents. and how many per year?

3. on what basis the trip need to be covered by rakyat money? is tun m representing Malaysia or go as individual? if go as individual why pay him?

4. our athletics go sport event representing malaysia also complain not enough money
but tun m go as NOT representing malaysia , yet get allocation?????

whoa shit bawang all 100%?

The easiest natural vit C . Still want tax ?

whoa shit bawang all 100%?

Lu jgn tanya soalan yg susah!
Depa Helang!
Lu pipit duduk & DIAM!

thats why all die2 wan jadi PM, dapat pension then settle for whole life
now just see who will stop this trend because if he stop then he wont get pension also
but malaysia cant support too many PM pension keep on continue like this

This I support

We can call it a fucking tax

Like a tax to fuck

No need complain lar
With electricity, petrol, SST plus dunno what else coming in force
Sure got chain effects price increase overall
Mixed rice also expensive nowadays, later lagi mahal
No money buy fruits to eat

Later tell rakyat 1 day eat 2 meals with air suam jer

This post has been edited by Iceman74: Jun 18 2025, 12:52 PM

yes, we do support DAP.

Most insensitive n useless gov in the history of Msia! On 1 hand u tax us for almost everything, on the other hand u funded Dr M's Japan trip that cost RM486K! How's this justifiable???

then dont complain mahal

pmx doesnt realise most apple and oranges are all imported

so what?

tak apo janji bukan puas
continue vote

if cannot afford, then tanam sendiri

sst expansion wont affect 95% of the people because we tanam sendiri

hari ini saya jadi gov, besok lu orang tanam ubi, apple, orange

raise first then only complain.

brg belum sampai u dy complain.

Minum air balang jer

only affect 6%

Only 6% of adult Malaysians eat enough fruits
https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/living...egetables-daily

waiting for ron 95 subsidy remove.

that would be lovely.

Royal gala

Pink lady

Fuji apple

Crispy red

Jazz

Envy

Lotus's kan ade..

you asked me for what, i no gomen. malaysia have always been generous to the ex-pm or the other ketua2.
cost cutting can always be done, but it hardly significant. renumeration for this small individuals are actually very small.

kalau mahal jgn makan.

if imported fruits are taxed, prices will increase and people will go for 'cheaper' local fruits. Now with even higher demand for local fruits compared to supply, traders will raise prices

Thank you Madani

deja vu

I curious, why PMX use Avocado as sample and dont use apple orange?

B40 dont eat apple orange?

madani say tax imported fruits to encourage local production..

but the final Kastam sales tax list only published on 9 june.. coming into force on 1 july

so 10 june i plant fruit tree, 1 july already berbuah..

topkek.. somebody in madani gov in /k/ ker?

This post has been edited by seather: Jun 18 2025, 01:25 PM

Malaysia ada apples?

While apple trees can be grown in Malaysia, especially in highland areas, they are not typically cultivated commercially due to the climate not being ideal for optimal fruit production. Malaysia's consistently warm and humid weather is not conducive to the temperature variations needed for many apple varieties. However, some success has been achieved in specific locations like Ba' Kelalan, Sarawak, where apple farming has been developed on a small scale.

Why apples are not widely grown in Malaysia:

Climate:
Apples require a period of cool temperatures (chilling hours) during winter to break dormancy and stimulate flowering. Malaysia's tropical climate, with consistently warm temperatures, lacks this essential chilling requirement.

Humidity:
High humidity in Malaysia can lead to fungal diseases and pest infestations, making it difficult to maintain healthy apple trees.

Chilling Hours:
Many apple varieties need a certain number of "chilling hours" (hours below a specific temperature, usually around 7°C or 45°F) to properly set fruit. Malaysia's climate doesn't provide enough chilling hours for most commercial apple varieties.

Limited Success in Specific Areas:
Ba' Kelalan, Sarawak:
This area, with its relatively cooler temperatures at higher altitudes, has seen some success in apple cultivation. The town even held an Apple Fiesta in 2007, showcasing locally grown apples.
Cameron Highlands:
While attempts have been made to cultivate apples in Cameron Highlands, the high humidity has proven challenging for large-scale production.
In Conclusion:
While apples can be grown in Malaysia, particularly in highland areas, commercial production faces challenges due to the climate and humidity. Despite these challenges, some areas like Ba' Kelalan have demonstrated the potential for limited apple cultivation.

Tesla still tax free

Wants b40 vote, tax b40 fruit

Same reason why Najib compared rice with quinoa

https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/malaysi...-rice/dn4wx8w5n
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/746311
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/746386
https://www.businessinsider.com/r-malaysian...n-quinoa-2018-2
https://news.cgtn.com/news/79677a4e34677a63...6d54/index.html

actually T20 fruit is durian, haha

No lah. Local fruit is also very expensive.

telur mahal jgn makan, apple/oren mahal jgn makan. makan lain

I wonder who are the think tank behind him, probably strategizing for his downfall LOL

ini semua salah bijan yg songlap 1MDB

Watermelon kena tax or not
Rindu watermelon 99 sen

Ore kito dun eat strawberi, blueberi, apel, pir tapi buah tempatan, pasai tu homen nak cukai. Bmx suke kurma arab aje.

who decide what fruit gets to the "elite tier" that needs to be taxed?

Haha this fella always posts controversial stuff on X.

Second line already...

Can ask the guy heading the finance portfolio

Depends on where the watermelon is from

Watermelon from Malaysia: no SST

Watermelon from outside Malaysia: SST applies

yup better than support anjing MCA.
when not in power asyik menyalak

Ayam still waiting for your answer to Q1 below. First time hearing this, so mohon pencerahan.

Wee Ka Siong and mca the only politician with brain in kerajaan madani, the rest lembu level already.

Stupid governments of Malaysia not efficient to recover various debts, stop wastages & prevent corruption. Thus need to implement various taxes tp fill up the coffer. And the thieves in the governments still keep wasting & stealing public money.

jakim spend 2 billion. collected back RM12,153,640 in halal certification fees.

In 2023, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) collected RM12,153,640 in halal certification fees. This revenue contributes to the larger halal industry in Malaysia, which is projected to generate RM56 billion in export revenue in 2025, according to astroawani.com. The total revenue collected by Jakim and State Islamic Religious Councils (Main/Jain) from 2012 to 2023 amounted to RM80,032,254.43.
https://international.astroawani.com/malays...nue-2025-322042

Madani is only digging their own graves. A year or so before GE16. Can't wait to pangkah....BEBAS.

Means what?

paying rm25++ without tax for a bundle/packet of Sunkist orange is OK but not rm26++ after tax???????

Hi AI,

The linked article doesn't say how much JAKIM collected in halal certification fees

elite tier park all expenses as company expenses

im not going to korek more, my dear.
ex-pm were entitled for big land, guards, tukang masak etc, travel allowance should be one of the benefit.

revoking the entitlement wont make much sense as they are not going to live for long.

This post has been edited by zerorating: Jun 18 2025, 03:05 PM

awak memang kelakar

Should be?

why not?
if can give land juta2 in price, few juta to bayar gaji guards, pembantu rumah, travel allowence takkan peanut only?
are we going to say ex-pm not entitle for any ganjaran?

and here we are talking about a prime minister who in the helm for how long? 24 years?

This post has been edited by zerorating: Jun 18 2025, 03:09 PM

Technically the current government has a mandate until 19 December 2027. The latest date when GE16 needs to be held would be 17 February 2028.

I can't imagine PMX dissolving parliament in 2026. If I were PMX I would stretch out my term to the maximum as much as possible, after previous governments barely lasted their full terms.

trying hard to babai

nak berak baru korek lubang?
i see

B40 always kena tindas hermm

wasnt this is what t20 wants? b40 kena taxes too.

and i still wondering b40 beli buah regularly meh? pisang, betik, langsat common la.

Have a read of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980. Specifically the First and Schedules, on what former PM's are entitled to.

https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/read/4762/h...ke-for-ex-pms-/

Kau diam. PMX ku tidak mempunyai pilihan kerana pembaziran yang berlaku semasa Najib dan Muhiyiddin menjadi PM. Kita mesti bersabar dan menyokong PMX yang tercinta untuk mencapai visi dia untuk negara hebat kita.