The government previously said it would review the revision and expansion of the sales and service tax for imported fruits, following concerns raised by industry players. (Envato Elements pic)PUTRAJAYA: The government has decided to exempt imported apples and oranges from the expanded sales and service tax (SST).Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government acknowledged that many from among the poor and B40 income group would buy these imported fruits as they were affordable.Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the Cabinet had discussed the matter yesterday, although he was of the view that there was no need to consume imported fruits.鈥淏ut I saw that there is a lot of unease. Many of the poor and B40 still eat imported apples and oranges because it鈥檚 cheap.鈥淯sually when a finance minister makes a decision, he won鈥檛 budge. But I mentioned to my Cabinet colleagues that it鈥檚 actually reasonable (to exempt imported apples and oranges from the expanded SST),鈥 he said at the launch of the Madani City project here.The prime minister also quipped that the demand for apples was due to the saying 鈥渁n apple a day keeps the doctor away鈥.鈥淏ecause many have complained, yesterday we agreed to give the exemption. Imported fruits will be charged a small percentage of sales tax, but we will exempt apples and oranges.鈥漌hen asked by reporters later if the exemption would be extended to other imported fruits, Anwar said: 鈥淣o, the feedback we received involved apples and oranges.鈥漈he finance ministry previously said that the expansion of the SST from July 1, including a 5% rate on imported fruits, was strategically aimed at bolstering local agricultural demand and strengthening food security.