Michael Lui
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 28): President of the Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SUCCC), Datuk Michael Lui, strongly criticized the plans of the local governments to implement policies that would seriously affect businesses in the state, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.
He said the plans of the Tawau Municipal Council to increase the business trading licenses from early January 2025, might be carried out by other local governments in the state.
“It already caused an alarm for businesses in Sabah,” he said in a statement today.
Lui added the 2025 Budget passed the RM1,700 minimum wages to be implemented in February 2025, and the e-invoicing that was announced earlier to be fully implemented in August next year has seriously increased the operating costs of businesses.
“Now coupled with the skyrocketing business license fees, it really makes everyone grit their teeth and unable to cope with it,” he said.
Lui pointed out that the current economic situation is absolutely not the right time to implement any policy that could increase the operating costs of businesses.
He also called on ministers and elected representatives to pay attention to this issue and stand with the businesses to oppose it, so as to stop the relevant operating expenses from being ultimately transferred to the consumers, and increasing the burden of people.
“We are not opposing for the sake of opposing, but we think it is not too late to consider implementation when the economy improves. The most urgent task now is for everyone to work together to improve our economy!”
SUCCC wants the government to provide a more business-friendly environment, provide incentives and assistance to Sabah business community and enterprises, enable Sabah to establish more and more competitive products.
“We definitely will strongly support the government policy to promote the recovery, growth and stability of Sabah economy, as well as to further enhance the resilience and competitiveness among the business community,” he said.
