KUALA LUMPUR: Unity Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil has denied that OpenAI subscriptions would be subjected to a sales and service tax.
Fahmi, who is also the Communications Minister, said this was neither discussed at the Cabinet level nor tabled in the 2025 Budget.
"So far, this was not discussed at the Cabinet level.
"And we know that for any tax to be imposed, it must be brought to Parliament for approval, not merely at the ministerial level.
"We did not hear this matter raised in the tabling of the 2025 Budget by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim).
"so, for me, it should not be entertained," he told reporters at the Madani Deepavali open house.
Earlier today, several social media posts went viral, claiming that OpenAI's ChatGPT subscriptions would be subject to SST beginning Dec 1.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as well as several ministers and their deputies attended the Deepavali open house.
They included Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Ghani,
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Investment Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Also in attendance were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir.