Sabah Collects RM1.38 Bln In State Sales Tax As Of June
KOTA KINABALU, July 21 (Bernama) -- Sabah’s state sales tax collection for the main sectors as of June 30 this year stood at RM1.38 billion, the State Legislative Assembly was told today.
Sabah Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Chong Chen Bin @ Ben Chong said the breakdown of the collection comprises crude palm oil, including palm biomass, amounting to RM703.55 million, followed by petroleum products (RM679.45 million) and Sabah’s exports of fishery commodities (RM4.22 million).
“Meanwhile, the forestry sector is not subject to the imposition of state sales tax,” he said.
Chong was replying to an oral question from Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin (GRS-Moyog), who wanted to know Sabah’s sales and service tax (SST) collection by major sectors such as petroleum, palm oil, marine products and forestry products for the latest year.
He said the ministry would also refine the proposal to review state sales tax rates for certain sectors to boost competitiveness and strengthen industries in Sabah.
Adding to Chong’s reply, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the SST tax is imposed by the federal government, while the state sales tax is imposed by the state government and the state government is reviewing its rates.
Meanwhile, Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib said the Sabah State Education Department (JPNS) has made thorough preparations to handle the admission of 6-year-old students to Year One starting in the 2027 school session.
He said among the steps taken was managing the placement of new teachers from the Bachelor of Teaching Degree Programme (PISMP) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Education Programme (PDPP) in a planned manner, in addition to appointing teachers on contract of service to meet current needs.
"To reduce the workload of teachers, the Ministry of Education together with JPNS are reviewing the proposal to add student management assistants to help manage non-academic matters, thus allowing teachers to focus on teaching and learning.
“In terms of physical facilities, steps taken include the construction of additional classrooms, renovation and upgrading of existing classrooms, and the implementation of two-session schooling in schools that need it,” he said.
James was replying to an oral question from Justin Wong Yung Bin (Warisan-Sri Tanjong) regarding the ministry's preparations to admit 6-year-old students into Year One in next year’s school session.
-- BERNAMA