Why Malaysia Needs a Tax Calendar & Spending Scrutiny

Tax predictability is a cornerstone of any good tax system, giving businesses and individuals the confidence to plan and invest. Yet for many in Malaysia, the tax landscape has felt anything but stable. While Budget 2026 offered a pause on major new taxes, questions about fiscal discipline and long-term policy remain.

Dr. Carmelo Ferlito and Dr. Veerinderjeet Singh joined us for a deep dive into tax policy. They discuss the ‘amazing dichotomy’ of Malaysia's budget, the critical need for accountability in public spending, and why a long-term tax calendar is essential for business confidence.

We discuss:

• Why tax predictability is crucial for business investment and FDI.

• The ‘amazing dichotomy’ in Budget 2026: a low deficit target with record-high spending.

• The vital need for accountability in government spending, not just revenue collection.

• How political dynamics get in the way of long-term policy continuity.

• The principles of good tax design, including a proposed tax calendar for stability.

For business leaders, CFOs, and policymakers, this is an explorative, high-level discussion on what it will take to build a truly stable and predictable fiscal environment.

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