An apple a day used to be just a saying.
A few weeks ago, it was close to a quiet luxury for many B40 families.
But now, it’s back to normal!
The Tax Was Pulled Back
Starting from 1 July, imported fruit is supposed to carry a 5–10 % Sales and Service Tax (SST).
It was part of a wider push to favor local produce and raise revenue.
According to the Finance Ministry, only fruits grown in Malaysia are free from Sales Tax.
Once the same fruits are imported, even common ones like bananas, pineapples or rambutans, they’ll be taxed under the new SST rules.
But today, before the month began, the Cabinet rolled back the idea for apples and oranges only after a flood of public complaints, as reported by New Straits Times (NST).
This decision was made earlier this week.
Why Single Out Two Fruits?
Reasons behind:
- Always on the shelf: It sold all year, even in rural areas it also has accessibility to it.
- Longer shelf life: They keep better than many local fruits, help to reduce waste for families without big fridges.
- Budget-friendly: Supermarkets often put them under promos, sometimes even cheaper than seasonal local options.
School-friendly: Easy to pack, peel, and share.
Mydin boss Ameer Ali Mydin told The Star it is “misleading” to call these fruits a luxury when they are a basic part of B40 diets.
“Local production cannot meet the high demand for fruits,” he said.
He also warned that cargo-handling fees are rising 30% next month, which could also push prices up even without the tax.
Even Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for a rethink, saying the hike “should be reconsidered” for fruit we don’t grow locally.
What the U-Turn Really Tells Us
According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the decision came down to one point: “Many of the poor and B40 still eat imported apples and oranges because they’re cheap.”
In other words, the policy clashed with reality on the ground.
While imported fruits will still face some tax, these two common choices are now off the hook.
He also joked that the popularity of apples might be thanks to the traditional saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away."
However, when asked if the exemption would cover other fruits, he clarified that the feedback so far only focused on apples and oranges.
Keeping apples and oranges tax-free is welcome news, but it’s also a mirror: The smallest price tweak can reveal how close many households already are to the edge.
So, how is the cost of living reshaping your grocery list?
Doris Tan (doristanwl@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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