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THE 71st PAS Annual General Assembly concluded with a firm and unanimous rejection of the proposed Urban Renewal Bill (RUU PSB), which the party claims poses a grave threat to the rights of citizens and the future of the younger generation.
The motion, tabled by Mohamad Suhaimi Abdul Aziz of PAS Titiwangsa, warned that hastily drafted laws without proper scrutiny or transparent stakeholder engagement are a betrayal of democratic principles and responsible governance.
“The Muktamar strongly urges the government to immediately cancel the implementation of the PSB,” he said. “The proposed bill not only burdens the people but opens the door to wider abuse and oppression.”
He further warned that if the government insists on enforcing what he described as a “draconian law,” PAS and its supporters would not hesitate to mobilise mass public resistance.
“The Muktamar reminds the government that PAS, alongside the strength of the ummah, will not remain silent. We are ready to mobilise the people on a national scale if the government remains obstinate,” he added during the session held at the Kedah PAS Complex on Tuesday.
In a separate resolution, PAS also condemned the government’s continued increase in taxes such as the Sales and Services Tax (SST), individual income tax, and levies on essential goods, arguing that these policies further strain the public at a time of mounting living costs.
Azhar Mohamad Ali of PAS Batu, who presented the economic and cost of living motion, said the Muktamar called for a comprehensive review of the national tax policy.
“The government must immediately halt all tax increases that ignore the people’s welfare. The solution lies not in overburdening the rakyat but in more equitable and effective alternatives,” he said.
Among the proposals put forward were the introduction of a progressive tax system targeting only the top 20 per cent (T20) income group, rather than applying increases across the board.
He added: “The government should exempt or reduce taxes on basic goods and services such as food, medicine, education and public transport so as not to further squeeze lower-income groups.”
The resolution was passed with unanimous support from the delegates.
Other recommendations included stricter enforcement and tax audits on high-income individuals and large corporations that are known to evade taxes, to ensure national revenue does not rely disproportionately on ordinary citizens.
Azhar also proposed the introduction of a wealth tax on luxury assets, second and third properties, and high-value inheritances to promote fairness and social balance.
“Targeted tax rebates should also be given to vulnerable groups such as parents, small business owners, patients, students and low-income households to ease their financial burden,” he said.
The Muktamar concluded by issuing a final warning: should the government proceed with unjust fiscal policies, PAS would rally public support nationwide to oppose them.
“It would be a grave injustice and a violation of social equity to punish the lower- and middle-income groups already squeezed by rising prices.
The government should first prioritise spending cuts, plug leakages, and eradicate corruption before resorting to the easy option of taxing the rakyat,” he said. - September 16, 2025