PUTRAJAYA: Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani stressed the critical role of a robust tax system in preventing government debt escalation and ensuring long-term financial stability.
Johari, who was also the former second finance minister, said the government had to take drastic measures to prevent such debt situations that could impact future generations.
He said there were quarters who cut corners to evade taxes.
He emphasised the need to boost government revenue while maintaining fairness for all taxpayers.
"However, it must be fair to those who diligently comply with the tax system.
"Government agencies are involved in tax collection but the revenue is not for us, but for the country and future generations," he said during a dialogue session at the Public Services Department's peer guides' Madani Aspirations gathering today.
He said government initiatives could not be sustained if it relied on debts.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported as saying that Malaysia managed to curb its debt growth last year, with the increase in debt slowing to 8.6 per cent from 10.2 per cent in 2022.
The total federal government debt for 2023 stood at RM1,172.5 billion, accounting for 64.3 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), compared with RM1,079.6 billion or 60.3 per cent of GDP in 2022.