{
  "id": 19068582,
  "title": "MITI to consult Customs, MOF over machinery import duty issue",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/miti-to-consult-customs-mof-over-machinery-import-duty-issue",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-09T02:18:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/1573750/miti-consult-customs-mof-over-machinery-import-duty-issue"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) has received complaints from local companies about machinery import duties being enforced despite exemption approvals. Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani stated that industry operators raised the issue during a dialogue session with the business community in Melaka. Some companies claim they were forced to pay the duties even though they possess exemption approval letters from Mida. Johari emphasized that payments should be refundable if the exemption status is subsequently clarified. He stated that if this continues, Mida's purpose would be redundant as companies invest to enhance production efficiency and Mida grants the exemption. Johari promised to look into the matter and stressed the importance of government agencies coordinating to ensure effective policy implementation.",
  "summary": "AYER KEROH: The issue of machinery import duties allegedly being imposed on local companies despite them securing exemption approvals from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) will be raised with the Customs Department and the Finance Ministry (MoF).",
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysian companies complain about machinery import duties despite exemption approvals.",
    "Investment Minister Johari Abdul Ghani confirms issue during Melaka dialogue.",
    "Mida to consult Customs and MOF to resolve duty payment discrepancy."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Inter-agency coordination failures between Mida and customs authorities undermine the effectiveness of investment incentives and threaten to negate the intended benefits of government-approved machinery duty exemptions for local companies.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}