As Forbes shows rich getting richer, PSM No 2 calls for wealth tax

PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan called for a wealth tax following the news that the wealth of Malaysia’s 50 richest people increased from last year.

Funding from a wealth tax could be channelled towards upgrading public hospitals, building affordable housing, and pension schemes for the elderly, he said.

“It is time the Madani government ensures taxing the rich to distribute the wealth, a value which would very much sound Madani and Islamic in nature.

“Rhetoric in fighting the super-rich needs enforcement,” Arutchelvan said in a statement today.

According to Forbes Asia, the collective wealth of local tycoons rose by two percent to US$83.4 billion (RM399.5 billion) from US$81.6 billion (RM376.2 billion) last year.

This is amid the declining value of the ringgit, which offset a nine percent gain in the country’s stock market.

Business mogul Robert Kuok, who turned 100 last October, reportedly maintained first place with a net worth of US$11.5 billion (RM55 billion). The centenarian has held the position for over a quarter of a century.

Kuok is followed by Quek Leng Chan, executive chairperson of the Malaysian arm of the privately held Hong Leong Group, with US$8.8 billion (RM42.1 billion).

Having trouble taxing the wealthy

Meanwhile, Arutchelvan said the government seems to be having trouble in taxing the ultra-wealthy.

“It was reported last month that the government has shelved the luxury tax which was supposed to be implemented starting May 1.

“The finance minister also did not table the High-Value Goods Tax (HVGT) bill in the recent Dewan Rakyat sitting,” he said.

Anwar Ibrahim

The HVGT was supposed to be tabled at the recently concluded Dewan Rakyat session to enable implementation by May.

The delay drew criticism from Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, who pointed out the government had increased the service tax rate effective March 1.

The service tax rate was hiked from six to eight percent.

The government also previously introduced a 10 percent low-value goods tax for online sales, an eight percent digital services tax, and a 10 percent capital gains tax.

Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the new taxes during the presentation of Budget 2024 late last year as part of the government’s efforts to improve the country’s financial resilience while reducing its budget deficit. - Mkini