KUCHING: Imperial Hotel Kuching has affirmed its commitment to follow the upcoming eight per cent rate of Service Tax (SST) once implemented by the federal government.
Currently adhering to the six per cent SST rate, the hotel, along with other Imperial Hotels in Sarawak, awaits official instructions for the change.
Sales and marketing director Irene Tan conveyed their stance during a press meeting held on Monday (Dec 18) at the Imperial Garden Restaurant, where a pre-Christmas gathering and food tasting event for students from SK Sibu Jaya took place.
“At present, the hotel, along with other Imperial Hotels in Sarawak, is still operating under the six per cent SST rate. Once the federal government enforces the eight per cent SST rate, we will decide our course of action moving forward, but we will certainly follow the implementation,” she explained.
This announcement comes in response to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s declaration during the Budget 2024 presentation, where he revealed plans to increase the SST from six per cent to eight per cent.
The adjustment is part of taxation reform measures scheduled for implementation next year, aimed at expanding the country’s revenue base without overly burdening the majority of the population.
He specified that the SST increase would not apply to services such as food and beverages and telecommunications. Additionally, the government plans to broaden the scope of taxable services to include logistic services, brokerage, underwriting, and karaoke.
