Malaysia's Character of the Year: 'Shui' (Tax) Reflects Public Concern and Everyday Realities
The Chinese character 'shui', meaning tax, has been voted Malaysia's Character of the Year, highlighting the growing public interest in tax policies and their impact on daily life. This recognition comes as no surprise, given the widespread effects of taxation on various sectors of society.
According to Datuk Goh Hin San, president of the Han Culture Centre Malaysia, the character 'shui' was chosen because tax issues affect everyone, from individual households and businesses to the government and the country as a whole. The everyday struggles and concerns of the public regarding taxation have made 'shui' a prominent symbol of the current times.
The character 'shui' gained prominence in the top 10 Chinese characters for six consecutive years from 2014 to 2019, coinciding with the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). However, after the GST was abolished in 2018, 'shui' temporarily disappeared from the list until its resurgence this year, driven by new tax policies and renewed public debate.
Voters cited several reasons for their choice, including the replacement of policies by the previous government with new measures that continue to impact the public. Delays in tax refunds, despite efficient tax collection, and the federal government's response to Sabah's claim for a 40% share of tax revenue under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 were also significant factors. 'Shui' secured 29.69% of the votes, a decisive win after seven appearances in the top 10 list.
The full list of Malaysia's top 10 Chinese characters for 2025 includes 'shui' (tax), 'jiu' (liquor), 'yuan' (aid), 'you' (petrol), 'zha' (fraud), 'xiao' (school), 'ba' (bully), 'qi' (flag), 'meng' (Asean), and 'zhen' (quake).
Datuk Koong Lin Loong, a jury member, emphasized that 'shui' remained a constant topic, even after the GST was repealed. Since 2020, the government has introduced over 15 tax-related reforms, underscoring the ongoing significance of taxation in national policy. The character's return was influenced by various developments, such as the impact of US tariff policies on Malaysia's exports, higher sales tax rates, and the expansion of the service tax scope.
Other factors included Sabah's tax revenue claims ahead of the state election, adjustments to the e-invoicing threshold, faster tax refund processing, and public attention to stamp duty for employment contracts. Koong believes that the selection of 'shui' reflects the public's hope for more comprehensive government consultation before introducing tax reforms, to avoid policy reversals and ensure taxation supports national development.
Datuk Lim Kah Chuan, president of Hua Zong, noted that the Chinese Character of the Year initiative is not limited to the Chinese community but represents national sentiment. The tradition, which began in Japan in 1999, has spread to China, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia, marking its 15th year of participation since its introduction in 2011. Lim emphasized that Chinese characters are not just artistic symbols but also record the times, debates, and expectations of the people.
