Budget 2025: Fiscal Position, Progressive Policies, Investment Catalysts, Business Impact & Wishlist
Are We OK? 
In this episode, we dive into the key highlights of Budget 2025, discussing Malaysia’s macroeconomic outlook, progressive policies for the T15, and the impact of newly implemented policies on businesses, both MNCs and SMEs. From tax measures such as the expanded SST coverage, and high-value goods taxes, we discuss whether it was a good decision to not reintroduce GST. We then go into the new green investment initiatives driving sustainability in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan, and more subsidy reforms aimed at reducing costs for the government. In this episode, wee cover what this budget means for the economy, industries, and the people. Tune in for insights, analysis, and our wishlist for the next Budget!
Timestamp:
00:00 – Highlight
02:55 – 5 segments on Budget 2025
05:25 – What are the key drivers?
06:02 – Caution everyone about exports
12:21 – High-value goods
14:53 – Do you think GST should be implemented again?
16:50 – OPX (operating expenditures)
19:00 – Debt servicing has increased
22:10 – Petrol subsidy
34:00 – Progressive policies for T15
37:20 – SARA payments
43:25 – Measures to stimulate the economy and guide
43:48 – Penang LRT, Terengganu floating solar power project
47:00 – MRT line 3
52:50 – Local investments
54:15 – Carbon tax
58:40 – Impact of the budget on business
01:00:15 – Increase in minimum wage
01:02:48 – Proposal for multi-tiered levy for foreign workers
01:07:40 – EPF compulsory for non-citizens
01:13:25 – 2% dividend tax
01:19:15 – Budget wish list
#areweok #podcast #malaysia #budget2025 #economy #policy #sst #gst
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/areweok.mrmoneytv
🐦Twitter: https://twitter.com/areweok_mmtv
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/areweok.mmtv/
🎙️ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6JzzwMmT2fl51wK4pgfqGH?si=febc20c2f5da4c25
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/my/podcast/are-we-ok/id1758019555
source
About The Author
Sold my house in april , rpgt they hold 40k. Till now havent release back to me keep saying in process. Bloody madani introducing all these stupid holding payment. Its been 6 months and still not paid back to me
Time to sell malaysia and move to US stocks
LOL. Increasing emolument and expecting civil servants to be efficient through digitalisation. Bro OKM, if you are going to spend on digitalisation then you should cut emolument because you are going to reduce headcount to generate productivity. Else it’s just paying bad money after bad money.
Mr. Ong Kean Min,
Medical insurance primium is going up as the Insurance Company is sighting the increased in Private hospital medical charges. There is no control on medical charges in private hospital. Why can't the government imposed a control by fixing a cap on private hospital charges. I would suggest for the government to set up insurance coverage for Rakyat to compete and reduced the unreasonable action for private insurance company to take advantage of its insured clients.
I hope in your next program you can elaborate more on this subject.
Thank you.
Float petrol market price and pay subsidy via contribution to EPF on behalf of employee who qualified.
Is dividen tax double taxation.
I sincerely hope that the minimum wage of RM1700.00 will help company to increase productivity and able to retain staff in the company. Loyalty is always questionable.😅
how does salmon and avocado work, I am in a low income family working myself too and I don't even buy avocado because it's really expensive and I only enjoy salmon whenever I get my pay. But the gov wants us to be healthy too, why tax salmon and avocado as premium goods?
I think it would be good for Govt to study what are the kind of investments retirees can plan for in their golden age. At one time retirees were encouraged to invest in the equity markets via KWAP and through insurance schemes. In urban areas like Penang JB, PJ, KL it is almost impossible to purchase a reasonable costing commercial property for rental income. They are all beyond the savings of people in their late 40's onwards. Because existing salary structure is fixed for that age group. It is almost impossible to match the minute salary increment to the gargantum increase in land and building material costs. Coupled with heavy medical outlay and many with no insurance backup for whatever reason. Going forward, people in their 50's have only the option of primarily the equity market to invest in as a hedge against inflation. The RM100,000 threshold is too low. Per month, it is about RM8,000 plus. For a retired couple, with careful spending, that income can cover their retirement adequately without reliance on their children. Now, the tax on dividend is at 2%. But it is easy for future budgets to have that raised.
Don't give subsidy in cash form but in the form of coupons in exchange for specific essentials like rice, sugar, milk and medications.
Najib (minus rosmah) is the best finance minister
All those consultants and high level . Too many bullshit because we didn't study much but we have eyes! We may be poor in mathematics but common sense if prices are not different of 10 or 20 sen but by riggit or runggits this is utter nonsense. So the government must hear from the educated mathematicians ? Get rid of bosses who scream and yell but only depends on foreign workers to trade for them. They actually got no brains.
Gov shld distribute the funds and allocations equally among races and communities …….. if they wish to tax those SMEs, individuals and corporations …… Talks about gov needs to do more for all Malaysians instead of just certain community ….. and race. We are nevertheless all Malaysians and the fact is, if everyone must be treated with fairness, just and equal eps. essentially in areas like education, public job opportunities, promotions and whatnot ………!!
Anwar is very sensitive to the opinions of the 80% Malays that didn't vote for him.
Diesel rationalisation was a test. Even though RM200 was given, people still not happy.
So unless IC system can be implemented which can be very leceh, petrol subsidy will continue till he gets 80% Malays support like how PKR sapu Selangor seats after their 1st term of governing.
Which means GST won't happen also…
No matter how KJ or WKS tried to save face by xhabis2 trumpeting GST which in our memory made lots of pops and moms shop closed down due to Najib very kancheong trying to find money to close his IMDB lobang.
lol OKM true politician. answering without a straight yes or no to the GST question
Government should remove sugar subsidies. Why are we taxing sugar-filled finished goods (e.g, sugary drinks), but subsidizing sugar the ingredient?
No trickle down effect unless the private companies start to increase or offer higher wage jobs . Malaysia has to attract good quality investments that pay better ( high value added jobs ) .
Too serious guys…thank OKM for the digestive Budget data
Mr OKM, what is the Government's policy on foreign workers moving forward, particularly for manufacturing sector ? The local workforce still no where near to replace foreign workers? What is MIDA policy for manufacturers imposed with 80%:20% local workforce condition which is due by 31 December 2024?
Increasing minimum salary should be done very carefully. China increased their minimum salary based on each state but that spelt the death of their foreign industrial investments because salary had gone too high. I worked there as a Finance & HR manager and I can vouch for that. It was impossible to match product price increase with salary increase and many foreign companies seek to relocate.
Hallelujah!!! I’m favored and blessed with $60,000 every week! Now I can afford anything and also support the work of God and the church.
My mum's insurance premium surged from 7k to 10k this year. Shall I discontinue? Can it be claimed in tax relief in 2025?
Mr Ong, could u plssss probe into medical officers plights. Long working hours and some even on alternate day 24 hours on calls . It’s just too taxing on our young doctors. Govt don’t even prepare a rest room for them . Hence they sleeps in their car. With our hot weather and mosquitoes issues, they had to on their ACs. Dangerous act. They can’t go home as the calls are very rampant ie every 30-45 minutes gap. No enough time to go home and rest! Pleassssss look into this. I can provide you info if needed.
its so weird that even with so many real world example that taxing the rich and rewarding the poor ALWAYS fail. they still continue to do so to buy votes. such a short sighted move
OKM back-pedaling on his, LGE, Tony Pua's stupid and populist decision to remove GST
poor sound quality
Perhaps for petrol target subsidy, they can use camera to recognise the car plate number, from there the system will know what kind of car it is and who owns it therefore allowing the subsidy to be given to the right person. It's used in many Carparks now and the system is fast. It cost extra to implement but it saves in the long run.
This is what malaysians need to face the reality of high income country. Do you like it? Now government only targeting T15 so call. Don't forget, later on will be following by the rest. All the best 😊😊😊
Thanks for this. Been waiting for someone to breakdown the budget and highlight key areas of us mere mortals. Very informative and insightful.
Malaysia is facing a very confusing politicians era. It is confusing 😂😂😂
Rafizi has spent so much money on PADU and he is insisting to use and launch the PADU. But now failed. Rafizi his own image gone.
2% dividend tax issue.
If I received RM99,999 means no tax.
If I received RM 101,000. They will just tax the RM1K or RM101K ?
Before you all become T15, you also enjoy the government subsidies, whether during your studies in uni, ptptn, or your medical in government hospital. If we have become T15, we have the responsibility to contribute for government to be able to help to improve other group.
Businesses HQ are going to move oversea very soon especially for those manufacturing. Neighbours giving a lot of incentives for foreign investment.
I just bumped into Mr Mani at Top Spot, Kuching
To be fair, estate tax for T10 should be implemented. Drag too long on this, and no one will oppose this idea, just don't know why each government is so afraid on this topic.