ACCCIM president urges businesses to prepare well for GST

Published: Thursday November 28, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM 

Updated: Thursday November 28, 2013 MYT 8:31:15 AM

BY CHRISTINA TAN

Time to celebrate: The representatives of Batu Pahat Chinese Chamber
of Commerce and The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and
Industry Malaysia cutting a cake to mark the 105th anniversary of the association.

BATU PAHAT: About 1,000 people from Chinese associations for commerce and industry nationwide gathered to celebrate the 105th anniversary of Batu Pahat Chinese Chamber of Commerce (CCCBP).

The celebration was held with a special gala recently at Grand Sea View Chinese restaurant.

The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (ACCCIM) president Datuk Lim Kok Cheong said the CCCBP, the oldest chamber of commerce in the country, had contributed vastly to boost the economy of the district.

He said according to a history record by Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce in early 1900, the CCCBP received recognition from the Chinese Ching Dynasty and allowed to deal with the Chinese migrants and logistic matters.

The CCCBP was then registered with the Registrar of Society after the country’s independent as a non-governmental organisation that represents the Malaysian Chinese businessmen, he said at the celebration dinner.

Also present were ACCCIM life honorary president Tan Sri William Cheng, deputy president Datuk Ter Leong Yap and representatives of Chinese associations and Chinese Chamber of Commerce of various districts and states.

Lim urged all businesses to make early preparation for Goods and Services Tax (GST) that would be implemented in less than 16 months.

“They must know how GST works, upgrade their computer system, train their workers to prevent confusion when the new tax system comes into effect.

“There will be problems during this transition period and we hope everyone will get themselves ready as soon as possible,” he said.

Lim said ACCCIM would work with Inland Revenue Board to hold a nationwide seminar on GST in Mandarin next year.

“We hope the government will provide more information or explanation to the public on GST and make sure it reaches all level of society to avoid confusion and possible inflation,” he said.

Meanwhile, CCCBP president Gan Eng Huat said the government had announced in Budget 2014 a further tax deduction to ease the burden of the employers from the implementation of the monthly minimum wage of RM900.

Gan said he hoped the government would also consider such incentive to employers who are paying minimum wage to their workers starting this year.

He also said the industry was facing workers issues and asked the government to simplify the application of foreign workers in order for the industry to continue surviving.

“There are many industries such as textile, agriculture and others that depend on labour as they cannot ask a machine to fold the clothes or choose the right fruits to harvest.

“We hope the government will look into our plight especially those who cannot survive without manpower,” he added.