Federal govt must commit to genuine people-centred reforms, social activist Voon urges

KUCHING,Dec 10 2025: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has asked the federal government to really commit itself to genuine people-centred reforms that uplift ordinary Malaysians instead of burdening them. 

Voon Shiak Ni: A government that promises reforms must ensure its policies do not crush the very people it claims to champion 

While the government speaks of “Madani” principles,  she said the reality on the ground for small businesses and low-income households tells a different story.

“The expansion of the Service Tax (ST) and the rushed implementation of e-invoicing are placing unnecessary pressure on micro-entrepreneurs, SMEs, and everyday Malaysians,” she said in a statement, today.

“These measures increase compliance costs, disrupt small operators, and ultimately push up the cost of living — the very opposite of what a reformist government is supposed to be doing,” Voon, who is also a legal practitioner, added.

She said small businesses are the backbone of Malaysia’s economy, pointing out that if reforms are truly meant to help the rakyat, then the government must review and scale down the Service Tax to avoid overburdening small traders.

She said this measure will help to make goods and services cheaper for the people as a whole.

Voon also argued that ensure every tax policy should align with the principle of protecting the rakyat, especially those already struggling with rising prices .

“A government that promises reforms must ensure its policies do not crush the very people it claims to champion,” she said.

Voon asserted that good governance will ensure all the people and parties under its governance are taken care of fairly and  equally and no one will be left out in any fair distribution of the nations’ wealth and facilities .

Citing an example, she the announcement of the raise in minimum wage for workers always come via an announcement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim  without any proper feedback from the ground and stakeholders especially from employers of small businesses .

“Of course , a raise in the minimum wage for workers is good for employees but the government needs to study also the impact of such announcement and how many people have lost their jobs instead because employers cannot afford to pay their workers as economy is not as rosy as it supposed to be ,” she stressed.

Voon noted that the e-invoicing also came as a big hassle and put a lot of strains and stress especially on small shopkeepers and hawkers .

“It is a big task for many  to handle computerised system and to invest in software and training of staff and related matters is another big cost and expense for them .

“The requirement of stamping for employment contract is also an added hassle for small businesses.

“What is the rationale?” she asked, saying out that it is not about illegality as industrial court has recognised all employment agreements as long as properly signed by parties to the employment .

“In short , the government of the day is too strict and people are suffocating .

“The people have given their mandate for the government of the day and  they are hopeful for  reforms that make life easier, not harder for them and it is the federal government’s responsibility to listen, act, and correct course,” Voon said.