Here’s a summary of the key points from the Malaysia Budget 2025 speech:
- *Economic Growth & Stability*: Malaysia's economy is projected to grow between 4.5% to 5.5% in 2025. This growth is driven by strategic investments and improved economic fundamentals such as reduced unemployment (3.2%) and lower inflation (1.9%).
- *Debt Management*: Malaysia’s debt is currently RM 1.2 trillion, around 64% of GDP, and efforts are in place to reduce the fiscal deficit to 3.8% in 2025. This is part of a broader fiscal reform to manage the country’s financial health by reducing new borrowing.
- *Sales and Services Tax (SST)*: A more progressive SST will be introduced in 2025, targeting non-essential imported goods like salmon and avocado. This measure aims to increase revenue without burdening the average citizen.
- *Subsidy Restructuring*: Subsidy reform will target the wealthiest citizens and foreign residents, ensuring that government support goes to those who need it most. This approach has already saved RM 4 billion in electricity subsidies and RM 1.2 billion in chicken subsidies.
- *RON95 Fuel Subsidy*: Starting mid-2025, fuel subsidies for RON95 will be restructured, allowing 85% of the population to continue benefiting while wealthier individuals and foreign residents will pay the full price. The government expects to save RM 8 billion annually with this change.
- *Public Infrastructure*: RM 120 billion is allocated for public and private infrastructure projects, focusing on regional development such as flood mitigation and road expansions. These projects are critical for balancing regional development and boosting economic resilience.
- *Anti-Corruption Initiatives*: The government will enhance its fight against corruption by increasing funding for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to RM 360 million. This reflects Malaysia’s commitment to improving governance and investor confidence.
- *Targeted Investment in High-Value Sectors*: A new framework for investment incentives will be introduced, focusing on sectors like AI, semiconductors, and renewable energy. These incentives aim to boost employment in high-paying jobs and enhance Malaysia's strategic industrial sectors.
- *Corporate & Personal Tax Reforms*: A 2% tax on dividends exceeding RM 100,000 will be implemented in 2025, targeting high-net-worth individuals and increasing the tax base. This aims to shift the tax burden from salaried individuals to wealthier shareholders.
- *Regional Development Focus*: Sabah and Sarawak will receive the highest state allocations, RM 6.7 billion and RM 5.9 billion, respectively, for infrastructure improvements and to close regional development gaps. This is part of the government's effort to ensure equitable growth across all regions.
These points outline Malaysia’s strategic focus on economic growth, fiscal responsibility, regional development, and social equity for 2025.
- *Economic Growth & Stability*: Malaysia's economy is projected to grow between 4.5% to 5.5% in 2025. This growth is driven by strategic investments and improved economic fundamentals such as reduced unemployment (3.2%) and lower inflation (1.9%).
- *Debt Management*: Malaysia’s debt is currently RM 1.2 trillion, around 64% of GDP, and efforts are in place to reduce the fiscal deficit to 3.8% in 2025. This is part of a broader fiscal reform to manage the country’s financial health by reducing new borrowing.
- *Sales and Services Tax (SST)*: A more progressive SST will be introduced in 2025, targeting non-essential imported goods like salmon and avocado. This measure aims to increase revenue without burdening the average citizen.
- *Subsidy Restructuring*: Subsidy reform will target the wealthiest citizens and foreign residents, ensuring that government support goes to those who need it most. This approach has already saved RM 4 billion in electricity subsidies and RM 1.2 billion in chicken subsidies.
- *RON95 Fuel Subsidy*: Starting mid-2025, fuel subsidies for RON95 will be restructured, allowing 85% of the population to continue benefiting while wealthier individuals and foreign residents will pay the full price. The government expects to save RM 8 billion annually with this change.
- *Public Infrastructure*: RM 120 billion is allocated for public and private infrastructure projects, focusing on regional development such as flood mitigation and road expansions. These projects are critical for balancing regional development and boosting economic resilience.
- *Anti-Corruption Initiatives*: The government will enhance its fight against corruption by increasing funding for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to RM 360 million. This reflects Malaysia’s commitment to improving governance and investor confidence.
- *Targeted Investment in High-Value Sectors*: A new framework for investment incentives will be introduced, focusing on sectors like AI, semiconductors, and renewable energy. These incentives aim to boost employment in high-paying jobs and enhance Malaysia's strategic industrial sectors.
- *Corporate & Personal Tax Reforms*: A 2% tax on dividends exceeding RM 100,000 will be implemented in 2025, targeting high-net-worth individuals and increasing the tax base. This aims to shift the tax burden from salaried individuals to wealthier shareholders.
- *Regional Development Focus*: Sabah and Sarawak will receive the highest state allocations, RM 6.7 billion and RM 5.9 billion, respectively, for infrastructure improvements and to close regional development gaps. This is part of the government's effort to ensure equitable growth across all regions.
These points outline Malaysia’s strategic focus on economic growth, fiscal responsibility, regional development, and social equity for 2025.
