By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Oct 10: Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) president Dato Richard Wee has called on the government to grant a further grace period for hawkers and petty traders in the state to comply with the Inland Revenue Board’s (IRB) mandatory e-Invoice applications, set to be implemented nationwide.
Wee emphasized that many hawkers and small traders need more time to understand how the e-Invoice system will function in their business operations.
“Hawker and petty trading businesses are very nuanced, and this new policy may disrupt their daily operations and, consequently, their livelihoods,” he explained.
Wee noted that while the government’s policies are well-intentioned, many hawkers and traders find them tedious, particularly when unfamiliar technologies are involved.
“SFCA is asking the IRB to take a proactive approach by engaging directly with these hawkers and traders to explain how the e-Invoice system works in the context of their small businesses,” he said.
He stressed that clear communication between the IRB and the affected parties is essential, and a grace period would allow all stakeholders to adapt more smoothly to the policy.
“We are also looking forward to discussing our concerns with the Sarawak government ahead of the policy’s enforcement on July 1, 2025,” he added after meeting with members of the Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Associations at his office today.
Wee highlighted that the grace period would be crucial for many hawkers and traders, particularly those unfamiliar with digital tools, allowing them time to adapt.
“Even larger businesses sometimes face challenges with such systems, so it’s an even greater hurdle for smaller operators, especially those unacquainted with the ‘Internet of Things (IoT)’,” Wee said.
He urged the government to understand the practical difficulties faced by these traders before expecting them to fully transition to using e-Invoice systems.
Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Associations president Voon Chin Leong echoed Wee’s concerns, calling on the government to show leniency in enforcing the policy.
“Many hawkers and small traders are not familiar with these applications and may not even know how to use them,” Voon pointed out.
There are currently 68 hawkers and petty traders associations across the country, with 16 located in Sarawak. — DayakDaily
