13MP Debate: MP Calls For Tax Relief To Boost Public Transport Use

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The government has been urged to provide tax relief for public transport users to encourage more people, including those in the M40 and T20 groups, to use the service.

Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) said the measure would support the government's target of increasing public transport usage to 40 per cent by 2030, compared to the current rate of about 20 per cent of the population.

“Tax relief will encourage more people to switch to public transport, and we should also set annual targets for the purchase of new buses to improve service frequency,” he said when debating the motion on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Azli Yusof (PH-Shah Alam) suggested boosting government revenue without burdening the public by closing tax leakage gaps, refining targeted subsidies, and reviewing unproductive spending.

“Revenue can be increased through better governance, not by adding pressure on the rakyat,” he said, proposing public-private partnerships, green sukuk and social investment instruments, with transparent governance to avoid leakages.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (PN-Kemaman) called for the creation of a National Centre of Excellence for rare earth elements (REE) to develop Malaysia’s non-radioactive rare earth industry (NREE).

“We should invest more in research, development, commercialisation and innovation in sectors where we have a competitive edge, such as smart agriculture, renewable energy and halal biotechnology,” he said, stressing the need for a monitoring mechanism to ensure 13MP allocations deliver maximum impact.

On education, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-Setiawangsa) proposed placing all government pre-school facilities – currently managed by three ministries – under the Ministry of Education for a more unified approach.

He also urged the Special Committee on Islamic Pre-School Education to address concerns over low pay for Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam (Pasti) teachers.

“There are complaints of salaries as low as RM600 or RM700, justified by saying they are volunteers, not employees. This goes against the National Wages Consultative Council Act,” he said.

The sitting will resume tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA