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IN line with efforts to ensure food security, the government allocated RM2.279 billion for paddy farmers in 2025, Finance Minister II Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said today
He said this support includes direct and indirect assistance, such as subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, and pest control.
"We have increased the subsidy for plowing by RM60 per hectare, that is, from RM100 to RM160 per hectare per season," Amir Hamzah said this during his address on the ongoing fiscal challenges and strategic measures during the tabling of the 2024 Additional Supply Bill and development budget proposals in the ministry’s winding up speech in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The government also increased pest control subsidies by RM100 per hectare, from RM200 to RM300, while subsidies for farmers will total RM210 per hectare per season in 2025, up from RM100 the previous year, benefiting over 200,000 registered farmers, he added.
E-Invoicing and Digitalisation
On the topic of e-invoicing, Amir Hamzah acknowledged the concerns raised by members regarding the impact on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
"The full implementation of e-invoicing is set for July 1, 2025, for all businesses, including MSMEs," he stated.
However, to provide adequate preparation time for MSMEs with annual sales between RM150,000 and RM500,000, the government decided to delay their inclusion until January 1, 2026, offering a six-month transition period.
He assured that the government has granted exemptions for businesses with annual sales below RM150,000, ensuring that over 700,000 small traders are not required to issue e-invoices.
"We encourage small businesses to embrace digitalisation, as it will help them streamline their operations and improve record-keeping," he said.
The e-invoicing initiative has already been rolled out in phases, starting with companies with annual sales exceeding RM100 million since August 2024, followed by those with sales between RM25 million and RM100 million from January 2025.
"As of now, 25,173 companies are using the e-invoicing system, and 181.3 million e-invoices have been issued," he added.
Amir Hamzah reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling the high cost of living, improving fiscal discipline, and continuing to support critical sectors such as agriculture, education, and infrastructure.
"The government remains focused on ensuring that the benefits of these measures reach the people, especially those most in need," he affirmed. – March 3, 2025
