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Artists should pay own taxes, singer Nourul Wahab suggests; wants more grants if deductions occur
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Culture & Society

Artists should pay own taxes, singer Nourul Wahab suggests; wants more grants if deductions occur

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Malaysian singer Nourul Wahab suggests artists pay their own income tax instead of having it deducted per project.
  • She proposes that if automatic deductions are implemented, the government should offer more grants and benefits to artists.
  • Wahab also advocates for simplifying the grant application process and acknowledges that taxes ultimately benefit the public.

Malaysian singer Nourul Wahab has proposed that artists and creative industry professionals manage their own income tax payments rather than having taxes systematically deducted from each project they undertake.

For me, it's better if we pay ourselves because it's clearer.

— Nourul WahabThe singer explained her preference for artists managing their own tax payments.

Wahab, 49, believes the current system, coupled with advanced technology and available platforms, makes self-declaration and payment of taxes more transparent. "For me, it's better if we pay ourselves because it's clearer," she stated in an interview with Utusan Malaysia.

It's not wrong if the government wants to make specific tax deductions for our performances or projects. But let there be a win-win situation for us.

— Nourul WahabWahab outlined conditions under which automatic tax deductions might be acceptable.

While not entirely dismissing the idea of automatic tax deductions, Wahab suggested that such a mechanism should be accompanied by more comprehensive benefits for the arts community. "It's not wrong if the government wants to make specific tax deductions for our performances or projects. But let there be a win-win situation for us," she urged. "If taxes are deducted systematically, please provide more grants and facilities for actors, singers, composers, directors, and event organizers so we can continue to create."

If taxes are deducted systematically, please provide more grants and facilities for actors, singers, composers, directors, and event organizers so we can continue to create.

— Nourul WahabShe linked potential automatic tax deductions to a need for increased government support for the arts.

She acknowledged existing government grants but highlighted the need to simplify the application and disbursement process, noting that sometimes there is a lack of feedback on submitted proposals. Wahab also expressed no issue with paying taxes, recognizing that the revenue ultimately serves public interests, including healthcare and welfare. She contrasted Malaysia's tax rates, with a maximum of around 30 percent, to those in France, which can exceed 70 percent.

Not wrong to pay taxes because the proceeds are ultimately used for the benefit of the people.

— Nourul WahabWahab affirmed the value of taxes for public services.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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