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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 47348, member: 636"] A Malaysian medical group asks the government to remove a new tax on healthcare for foreign workers. The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia sent an appeal to the Finance Ministry. Dr Shanmuganathan Ganeson leads the organization and made this request. The group wants officials to cancel the six percent sales tax starting July 1. Medical leaders suggest a temporary pause on the tax to find better healthcare funding methods. The new tax hits clinics earning more than 1.5 million ringgit each year. Foreign workers need medical care for common sicknesses and injuries. Most workers pay for these services themselves or through employer programs. The medical group fears the tax will prevent workers from getting timely treatment. Delayed care could harm public health across Malaysia. Dr Shanmuganathan states that foreign workers already face many challenges getting healthcare. Clinics also must pay an eight percent tax on rental properties. This creates more costs for small medical practices that have not raised fees for decades. The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing also opposes the tax expansion. Both groups say the taxes damage businesses and consumers. The medical association highlights an unfair policy difference. Beauty and cosmetic services carry no tax burden. Essential medical services face new taxes despite being more vital for public health. Dr Shanmuganathan says his group wants to work with the Finance Ministry. Leaders hope to develop tax policies that protect healthcare access and help community clinics survive. [/QUOTE]

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