Eight million water supply users exempted from services tax hike

4.7 million users of sewerage services in the peninsula and Labuan are also not affected

87% domestic and 13% non-domestic consumers in Peninsular Malaysia in Labuan are exempt from the service tax increase. – Azim Rahman/Scoop pic, March 1, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR – A total of eight million users of water supply services comprising 87% domestic and 13% non-domestic consumers in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan are exempted from the sales and service tax (SST) hike which came into effect today.

The Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry said 4.7 million users of sewerage services in the peninsula and Labuan are also not affected by the tax hike.

“The government will remain committed and caring to ensure the people’s basic needs are prioritised.

“The ministry would like to remind the public to use water prudently, especially during the current hot and dry spell in most states,” it said in a statement today.

The SST rate has been increased to 8% from 6%, as announced in the Budget 2024 tabled last October.

This move is part of the government’s efforts to improve the country’s financial resilience and reduce its budget deficit. – March 1, 2024