“Usually, the finance ministry does not change its position after it makes an announcement,” he said at an event in Pantai Dalam here today.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government has decided to exempt imported apples and oranges from the expanded SST.

He said the government acknowledged that many from among the poor and B40 income group would buy these imported fruits as they were affordable.

The finance ministry previously said that the expansion of the SST from July 1, including a 5% rate on imported fruits, was strategically aimed at bolstering local agricultural demand and strengthening food security.

Fahmi also hailed the Energy Commission’s decision to lower electricity tariffs, saying this shows the government is genuine in implementing reforms that will benefit the public.

On June 20, the commission said some 23.6 million domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia will enjoy fairer electricity rates, through the new tariff schedule approved by the government.

Under the new tariff scheme from July 1 to the end of 2027, the base average tariff will be adjusted to 45.4 sen/kWh from the 45.62 sen/kWh which was approved in December 2024. The current base tariff of 39.95 sen/kWh was set from 2022 to 2024.