LATEST UPDATE as of 2.20pm 19th June: According to Free Malaysia Today, the Customs Department has cancelled the amendment to the GST order. The decision was made after it had referred the matter to the finance ministry. So fret not, readers, the items mentioned will remain in the GST zero-rated list.
Earlier today, it was revealed that some of our common pantry staples will be a whole lot pricier starting July 1st. This is due to the fact that the Goods and Services Tax (Zero-Rated Supply) Order was amended to exclude certain items which was previously a part of the first amendment.
Customs Department director-general Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy reportedly told The Star that more than 60 food items will experience a price hike and he also mentioned that, “It’s only a few items not consumed by the masses.”
Some of the items which would have been imposed with GST included:
1. Asparagus
2. Potatoes
3. Peas
4. Beans
5. Spinach
6. Sweet Corn
7. Olives
8. Cucumbers
9. Gherkins
10. Mushrooms
11. Chilies
12. Capers
13. Fresh Dates
14. Fresh Figs
15. Fresh Avocados
16. Fresh Grapes
17. Apricots
18. Sour Cherries
19. Peaches
20. Plums
21. Green Tea (leaves)
22. Saffron
23. Eels
24. Swordfish
25. Octopus
However, in the latest update, the amendment has been cancelled. What this means is that we’ll still be able to have our avocado on toast and fresh grapes at its original price, as it remains in the GST zero-rated list.
Feature Image Adapted: ces-taipei.com
