The WG-AFT & SF-ET In Penang

The Ministry of Finance Malaysia once again hosted the second meeting of The Working Group on ASEAN Forum on Taxation (WG-AFT) and The ASEAN Sub-Forum on Excise Taxation (SF-ET), held in Penang from 28 October 2025 to 30 October 2025. This meeting was convened subsequently from the first meeting in February 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. The WG-AFT was chaired by YBrs. Mr. John Patrick Antonysamy, Undersecretary of Tax Division, while the SF-ET was chaired by YBrs. Mr. Mohammad Reezal Ahmad, Deputy Undersecretary of Tax Division from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia.

The meetings involved the participation of tax administrators from ASEAN member states, including Timor-Leste, which officially joined ASEAN as the 11th member on 26 October 2025, as well as international tax organisations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Health Organization (WHO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The meeting began with opening remarks and updates from the ASEAN Secretariat, followed by Timor-Leste’s sharing on its national tax system. The following sessions focused on key areas such as the digital economy, exchange of information, global mobility, and environment-related taxes. The discussions provided a strategic platform to strengthen regional dialogue and cooperation on taxation policy, aimed at advancing economic integration within the ASEAN region.

In line with the meeting’s objectives, the ASEAN Member States also welcomed the upcoming AFT Sectoral Plan for 2026–2030 that serves as a key reference to ensure that the tax systems among ASEAN Member States are fair and transparent to foster regional economic growth and resilience, deter tax evasion and promote sustainable development. This sectoral plan is expected to be endorsed intersessionally by AFMGM in November 2025.

The meeting also witnessed official handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship to the Philippines, which will take on the role of Chair for the AFT meeting in 2026. This marks a continued journey of partnership and regional advancement toward fair, efficient and forward-looking tax systems.

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