KOTA KINABALU, Dec. 20 -- Excessive taxation is weighing heavily on businesses in Sabah, forcing some to close or relocate and putting jobs at risk, said Parti Warisan (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

He noted that many companies in Sabah face multiple layers of taxes, which limit their ability to reinvest and expand.

Some businesses are required to pay substantial amounts upfront and then wait years for refunds, causing significant cash flow problems, he added.

"Companies need capital to grow. When the tax burden is too heavy, it discourages expansion and affects job creation," he said at the party's annual general meeting in Kolombong.

Shafie pointed to delays in tax refunds, saying they make it difficult for businesses ...