Kuala Lumpur: Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) President, Tan Sri TC Goh, hopes the budget to be presented in Parliament by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday will continue to take care all communities, including the Chinese, in areas such as Chinese education, Chinese organisations and non-profit welfare organisations.
Goh also hoped the government will continue to implement business-and-people-friendly policies, strengthen administrative and systemic reforms, enhance the resilience, flexibility, and sustainability of the economy, and ensure that the country maintains a good growth trajectory.
Huazong has compiled 25 proposals covering various sectors for the national budget next year.
These include: Avoid expanding the scope or rate of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) and focus instead on stabilising the prices of consumer goods and maintaining low inflation; Corporate taxes be reduced to help businesses enhance their competitiveness; Lowering personal income tax for middle- and low-income groups; Progressively reintroduce and eventually implement a more affordable Goods and Services Tax (GST) to replace the SST; Significant civil service downsizing, especially as efforts to implement electronic, digital, and mechanised operations in recent years which have reduced the need for manpower, aligning with global trends; Severe actions to be taken against perpetrators to prevent wastage of public funds; Given the wide use of petrol in transportation and daily life, the government should gather public opinion to ensure proper implementation of subsidies; Continue providing necessary living subsidies and welfare support for the middle- and-low-income groups (B40 and M40); Raise the e-invoicing exemption threshold from the previously announced RM150,000 annual turnover to RM500,000; Extend the housing loan tenure (currently capped at 35 years or up to the age of 70 for borrowers) and consider implementing multi-generational loans, as adopted by some countries; Continue attracting foreign investment through tax incentives, industrial park facilities and infrastructure benefits to bring in foreign manufacturers, provide quality employment opportunities for Malaysians, stimulate local economies, stabilise the ringgit, and drive national economic growth; Strengthen preparations for “Visit Malaysia Year 2026” by collaborating with state governments to enhance infrastructure in tourist areas, improve airport management and facilities, streamline customs services, increase flights and public transport, and ensure sufficient tour guides and promotional efforts; Continue promoting the “Buy Malaysian Products” campaign strengthening domestic demand and offering tax incentives to encourage local manufacturers to export Malaysian products overseas to earn foreign exchange; Expand “Durian Diplomacy” including the promotion of mangosteen and jackfruit to the vast Chinese market by working with state governments to provide the necessary agricultural land to increase production and quality; Provide more attractive incentives, including job placements, to attract more overseas Malaysian talents to return and contribute to the country’s development in various sectors; Fully monitor the progress of the 12th Malaysia Plan, which enters its final year next year, and develop a comprehensive national development strategy for the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030), particularly focusing on infrastructure development in the six underdeveloped states (Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis); Launch and accelerate major infrastructure development projects, such as the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail, the Pan-Borneo Highway, and the East Coast Rail Link, to spur development in surrounding towns and various sectors of the national economy; Increase allocations for Sarawak and Sabah in East Malaysia, injecting more plans to boost economic growth across various sectors and ensure balanced development between East and West Malaysia; Continue enhancing the development of Chinese New Villages nationwide to extend or issue freehold land titles for these villages, allocate funds for infrastructure improvements, explore tourism potential, beautify the environment, and enhance village business activities; Increase annual allocations for the Chinese community, including funding for Chinese associations, non-profit organisations, welfare, charity, and religious groups. Additionally, tax exemptions and favourable conditions for fundraising efforts by these organisations should be offered; Provide institutionalised and reasonable development funds for various types of schools, including Chinese primary, secondary, and independent schools, for purposes such as school construction, relocation, and development, with clear indications in the budget; Institutionalise allocations for the three Chinese community-funded higher education institutions: Southern University College, New Era University College, and Han Chiang University College; Institutionalise funding for the preservation and promotion of culture and arts by various community groups, including events such as the annual National Chinese Cultural Festival, National Dance Festival, 24 Festive Drums Performance, Annual Selection of Chinese Characters event, university youth camps, and various literature compositions. This will alleviate the financial burden on community groups in assisting the government in promoting national culture; Institutionalise funding for museums, heritage sites, and historical research activities set up by community groups, including the Malaysian Chinese Museum established by Huazong to alleviate the burden on these groups and encourage them to help the government in preserving and promoting national history and heritage.
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