Sunway Malls has called on the government to consider measures to ease operating costs for shopping malls, including shielding them from the impact of the Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) mechanism and reducing the Sales and Service Tax (SST).
Sunway Malls Group Managing Director H.C. Chan said the group has a short wishlist for Budget 2027, with electricity charges and SST among the key areas that could be addressed.
Speaking to the media at the Sunway Ipoh Mall Key Tenant Unveiling, Chan said the government could consider extending electricity cost protection measures beyond households to include shopping malls, given the impact of electricity charges on mall operations.
“For us, we have a very short wishlist. One is electricity charges to operate the mall. The government can consider shielding other than houses, but malls as well,” he said.
Chan also called for the government to consider reducing the SST rate, saying a lower rate could help ease pressure on the market.
“For SST, it is impactful. Maybe reduce it to 3%, so there is less stress on the market,” he said.
Chan was speaking after Sunway Ipoh Mall unveiled its key business partners, with about 80% of the mall’s leases secured to date.
