KUALA LUMPUR (May 17): Ministry of Finance's secretary general of treasury Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said the government is currently studying ways on taxing people engaging in digital economy á la Uber, as the government could face losing revenue, if it ignores this growing portion of the economy.

Speaking on the sidelines of World Bank's Financial Reform for Economic Development in Asia Public Sector Forum 2016, Mohd Irwan said the government, through the Inland Revenue Board, will conduct the study. He hopes it could be finalised by next year.

"We have to look into the future. Digital economy, like Uber, is growing and growing. The government could stand losing revenue, if these people are not taxed.

"A part-time (Uber) driver could earn RM7,000 (a month). Can you imagine that; RM7,000?" said Mohd Irwan.

While he said nothing is concrete yet as studies are still preliminary, the tax rate for the digital economy activities might be the same as the current one.