Credit : Anwar Ibrahim's X
CYBERJAYA, November 3, 2026 – The e-Invoice system has helped the Inland Revenue Board (HASiL) detect non-compliance, with more than 97,000 taxpayers coming forward to submit returns for previous years involving RM1.68 billion in tax payable, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
Sharing his thoughts on his official X account after the HASiL Innovation and Integrity Day 2026 celebration, Anwar said the development showed that reforms to systems and technology could strengthen compliance without relying solely on widening the tax burden.
His speech at the event, held at Menara HASiL, was read out by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, according to Astro Awani and TV Sarawak.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the emphasis on innovation and the use of technology among HASiL staff was close to his heart.
“We often worry about the changes brought by artificial intelligence (AI), but this technology can bring far more good to humanity if it is used wisely and guided by good values,” he wrote.
He said a sustainable and resilient civilisation must rest on the rule of law, justice and good governance, including in matters of taxation.
“Tax is not merely an instrument for collecting national revenue, but a trust that demands fairness in collection, transparency in management and wisdom in managing spending,” he said.
In the speech, Anwar said that as of November 2, 2026, about 269,900 taxpayers had submitted 2.14 billion e-Invoices, Malay Mail and The Vibes reported. He stressed that e-Invoicing was not meant to introduce new taxes or add to the public’s tax burden, but to uphold fairness, detect non-compliance and make sure everyone fulfils their responsibilities.
He said gross direct tax collection for the first 10 months of 2026 rose 5.8 per cent to RM174.48 billion, compared with RM164.92 billion in the same period last year, according to Astro Awani and Utusan Malaysia.
Anwar also said it would be unfair for honest workers to keep paying tax on their income while those with greater financial resources hid their earnings through layers of business dealings and accounting tricks. He urged HASiL officers to stay firm against deliberate tax evasion while exercising discretion, within the law, towards taxpayers who need help and guidance.
“Justice demands that tax laws be enforced fairly. Tax justice is a pillar of civilisation and of the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI,” he said in the speech, as reported by Astro Awani.
On technology, he said AI, data analytics and automation were important for more efficient tax administration, but decisions must not be left entirely to technology without human judgement. “Technology has intelligence, but it cannot replace human wisdom, conscience and judgement,” he said, as quoted by Malay Mail.
In his X post, the Prime Minister said the success of a tax system should be measured not only by the amount collected, but by how far that revenue is turned into national prosperity and a better quality of life for the people.
He said this principle would continue to guide the MADANI Government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and basic facilities, provide assistance and safeguard the people’s well-being, as set out in the MADANI Budget 2027.
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