Anwar calls for human judgement alongside technology in tax enforcement
About 269,900 taxpayers had submitted 2.14 billion e-invoices by Nov 2, while Anwar said the system was not intended to raise the tax burden.
Malaysia’s tax authorities should use technology to improve administration without allowing it to replace human judgement, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in a speech delivered in Cyberjaya on Nov 3.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan read the speech on Anwar’s behalf at the 2026 Innovation and Integrity Day celebration, organised by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN). Anwar said decisions affecting people’s rights and interests should not be handed over entirely to automated systems.
Anwar said about 269,900 taxpayers had submitted 2.14 billion e-invoices as of Nov 2. He described e-invoicing as a way to identify non-compliance and promote fair taxation, rather than a means of imposing additional taxes or increasing the public’s burden.
He called on LHDN officers to take firm action against intentional tax evasion while using discretion permitted by law to help taxpayers needing guidance. He said equitable enforcement was necessary when some people concealed income through complex business transactions and accounting practices while honest workers paid their taxes.
Anwar also said the fifth Madani Budget 2027 would mobilise RM510 billion in resources, with federal government expenditure accounting for RM459.8 billion. He said fair, effective tax collection was needed to support development, economic resilience and public welfare amid an expected challenging 2027.
