Public must be briefed on GST to avoid confusion

Posted on 26 October 2013 - 12:07pm
Last updated on 26 October 2013 - 02:35pm

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26, 2013): Members of the public must be briefed on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be implemented in April 2015 to ensure that they understand the mechanism and are prepared for its implementation, said several consumers' associations yesterday.

The president of the Malaysian Consumers' Protection Association (PPPM), Datuk Mohd Firdaus Abdullah said the clarification could be carried out within the 17 months prior to the implementation of the GST, as many people were still unclear about the GST and perceived it to be burdensome.

"Many are also confused that the GST is a new tax. They (the public) must be given exposure to and understanding on the GST to avoid dissatisfaction when the GST is implemented later," he said when contacted.

He said it was also important that the people knew that the GST was not implemented on all goods.

When tabling the 2014 Budget today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said among the goods that would not be imposed the GST were basic food items and public transportation.

The GST will take effect from April 1, 2015 at the rate of 6%.

Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah was also of the opinion that the rakyat must be briefed on the GST issue to prevent any misunderstanding among consumers.

"Clarification must be given so that they understand that the GST is not a new tax," he added. – Bernama