KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 1 -- The SME Association of Malaysia has urged the government to urgently review the Sales and Services Tax (SST) framework in response to a new 19 per cent tariff on Malaysian exports to the United States.

The association said the tariff, which affects key industries like electronics, rubber products and medical devices, is severely weakening the competitiveness of export-oriented SMEs.

Its national president, Chin Chee Seong, said the added burden of SST at home has worsened the cost pressures caused by the external trade barrier.

"The 19 per cent US tariff is already putting immense pressure on our export-oriented SMEs, especially in sectors like electronics, rubber products, and medical devices.

"At the same tim...