SUPP Kuching Youth urges IRB to exempt hawkers from e-invoicing

by · Borneo Post Online
Wung says if a full exemption is not feasible, IRB should raise the annual income threshold for compliance from RM150,000 to RM500,000 to ease the burden on hawkers and micro-enterprises.

KUCHING (Nov 22): Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Kuching Youth chief Wung Duk Ying has called on the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to exempt hawkers from the mandatory implementation of the electronic invoicing system.

He said if a full exemption is not feasible, IRB should raise the annual income threshold for compliance from RM150,000 to RM500,000 to ease the burden on hawkers and micro-enterprises.

He voiced his support for the Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Associations as well as Sarawak Hawkers Association, led by president Voon Chin Leong, during the National Hawkers Day event in Sibu recently.

“During the event on Oct 10, the Sarawak Hawkers Association had submitted a memorandum to Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) president Dato Richard Wee.

“The memorandum appealed to Premier Abang Johari to intervene and help exempt hawkers from implementing the electronic invoicing system,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Wung also highlighted the struggles faced by hawkers to recover from the economic damage caused by the pandemic.

“Micro-enterprises and hawkers are still in the recovery phase. Imposing the electronic invoicing system only adds to their operational burdens, leading to difficulties and losses.

“This regulation by the IRB is unfair and counterproductive, akin to killing the goose that lays the golden egg,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wung also criticised Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders and Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen for their supposed lack of action on the issue.

He reminded Chong of the latter’s May 2 remarks during the DAP Kuching annual meeting, where he opposed extending the e-invoicing system to hawkers and micro-enterprises.

“Despite their earlier statements, Chong and the four Sarawak DAP MPs have not raised this matter in Parliament. Hawkers and micro-enterprises need more than just promises; they need tangible solutions,” said Wung.

He urged elected representatives to prioritise the welfare of hawkers and micro-enterprises by addressing their concerns effectively rather than making unfulfilled pledges.