DAP national adviser Lim Guan Eng has urged the government to pause the expansion of the sales and service tax (SST) scope and the hike in electricity tariffs in light of the 25 percent retaliatory tariffs imposed by the United States on Malaysian exports.

Asserting that Malaysia’s economy could be strengthened further if the government can halt all hikes in electricity charges and SST expansions, the former finance minister highlighted that few countries have imposed such measures on their people during a “tariff war”.

“When these matters are discussed with top government leaders and government MPs next week, hopefully the government can allow a freeze or pause in such increased utilities charges and (broadened base for) SST until the resolution of the ‘tariff war’,” he said in a statement today.