A man’s proposal for a ‘singles tax’ on unmarried and childfree Malaysians has sparked debate over taxes, personal choices and the country’s future workforce.
BEING single in an increasingly expensive economy can be challenging, especially as not every single person has family support or a high income to offset the rising cost of living.
Recently, netizens were taken aback after a man proposed a “singles tax” (cukai bujang) on healthy individuals who choose to remain unmarried or childfree, arguing that this would ensure the country’s economic responsibilities are shared equally among Malaysians.
“You all can enjoy spending your money on travelling and cafe-hunting every week, but the ones who end up carrying the future of the country are our children,” he said in a Threads post.
He went on to argue that Malaysian singles may eventually rely on the labour of future generations when they grow old and require elderly care at government hospitals and nursing homes.
He said future generations would have to spend their hard-earned money through taxes to maintain such facilities.
“It is not wrong to enjoy the solo life, but do not be so selfish that you let go of your responsibility to the country’s economy,” he added.
The man cited changing demographics caused by declining birth rates, expressing concern that the workforce could eventually shrink, particularly in the healthcare sector.
While children will form part of the future workforce and taxpayer base, commenters argued that being single or childfree does not mean a person contributes nothing to society.
“For your information, we single individuals pay taxes and do not get a lot of exemptions such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah, for example. We pay taxes, but your child will benefit from public education, public healthcare and public facilities. If one day I am at a retirement home, the subsidies will come from the taxes we paid while working,” one user explained.
“Indeed, children will become part of the workforce and taxpayers in the future. But that does not mean people without children do not contribute anything. Single people also work, pay taxes, make contributions and spend money just like everyone else,” another pointed out.
Meanwhile, another commenter argued that children would eventually become future taxpayers rather than serving as a personal financial sponsor, regardless of their parents’ personal choices.