Business groups in Johor have outlined a series of priorities ahead of the Federal Government’s Budget 2027, emphasizing the need for continued economic support amid ongoing global uncertainties.

Roland Lim Chin Eng, president of the Johor Baru City Businessmen and Traders Association, urged the government to reconsider the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which was phased out in 2018 and replaced by the Sales and Service Tax (SST). Lim described the switch as a mistake, noting that GST generated a more consistent revenue stream, averaging over RM60 billion annually during its implementation. He highlighted that approximately 176 countries worldwide employ a value-added tax system similar to GST.

Meanwhile, P. Sivakumar, president of the Johor Indian Businessmen Association (Jiba), called for targeted incentives directed specifically at business organizations. He recommended regular outreach programs at both federal and state levels to raise awareness of financial assistance opportunities available to micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs). Sivakumar also expressed hope that stimulus packages for micro-enterprises and SMEs would feature prominently in the upcoming budget to enhance resilience in the face of global economic challenges. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of funding for artificial intelligence (AI) training, particularly in southern Johor where new data centers are being established. This, he noted, would support workforce upskilling and reskilling efforts, especially in connection with the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Hussien Ibrahim, secretary of the Johor Indian Muslim Entrepreneurs Association (Perusim), advocated for greater assistance to medium-sized food and beverage operators. While acknowledging ongoing government support for hawkers, he highlighted that small eateries and bistros also require aid to expand. Hussien noted that opening new branches can cost upward of RM500,000, posing significant financial constraints for many operators. He stressed that Indian Muslim restaurants constitute an important part of Malaysia’s food and beverage sector and deserve more focused support.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to present Budget 2027 in Parliament on October 9, with expectations that it will address some of these business community concerns.