GST bantu ringan beban golongan miskin

2013/07/05 - 05:18:50 AM Rejal Arbee

Rakyat perlu diberi penerangan tangkis fitnah pembangkang pembangkang

Kerajaan sejak kebelakangan ini sudah menyatakan hasrat melaksanakan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) sebagai ganti kepada cukai jualan dan cukai perkhidmatan. 

Bagaimanapun, walaupun sudah bertahun menyatakan hasrat itu, ia masih dalam kajian hanya kerana ada suara-suara yang menentang dengan membuat tohmahan kononnya GST akan membebankan rakyat. 

"Kerajaan sudah menjelaskan bahawa barang keperluan asas seperti beras, gula dan sayuran akan dikecualikan daripada cukai itu"

Persoalannya, adakah benar apabila GST dikenakan sebagai ganti kepada SST (cukai jualan sebanyak 6 peratus dan cukai perkhidmatan sebanyak 10 peratus) orang ramai, khususnya golongan miskin akan terbeban?

Inilah gambaran berterusan dimainkan parti pembangkang seperti DAP yang memulakan kempennya untuk mematikan hasrat kerajaan itu apabila Setiausaha Agungnya, Lim Guan Eng tidak berapa lama dulu mengeluarkan kenyataan kononnya rakyat berpendapatan rendah dan miskin akan menanggung beban.

Malah, dia mendakwa kononnya rakyat terpaksa menanggung beban sehingga RM1,000 setahun jika kerajaan mahu mengenakan GST sebanyak 7 peratus. 

Tidak pula diketahui dari mana dia mendapat angka 7 peratus itu kerana sehingga kini kerajaan tidak pernah menyatakan peratus cukai akan dikenakan kerana ada yang menyatakan kadarnya berkisar sebanyak 4 peratus. 

Tangkis tohmahan pembangkang

Usaha pihak berkuasa dan pegawai kerajaan memberi penerangan kepada rakyat mengenai selok belok sistem cukai itu tidak dihiraukan. Jadi tidak menghairankan jika penulisan yang menuduh pelaksanaan GST itu sebagai usaha kerajaan ‘gigit sampai tulang’ berterusan dilaungkan. 

Penjawat awam yang arif dengan pelaksanaannya harus berusaha secara berterusan menangkis tohmahan itu. Rakyat tanpa diberitahu apa sebenarnya cukai itu dan bagaimana ia akan dilaksanakan, tentunya akan mempercayai hasutan DAP dan juga beberapa penulisan dalam penerbitan propembangkang.

Kalau dilihat secara objektif, apakah mereka benar-benar mahu mempertahankan kepentingan orang tidak berada atau sengaja mahu membantah dan ada udang di sebalik batu?. Inilah yang sepatutnya didedahkan supaya rakyat biasa tahu siapa sebenarnya yang tidak senang dengan pelaksanaannya. Sebenarnya GST bukanlah sesuatu yang baru dan terhad kepada segelintir negara saja kerana sejak ia mula diperkenalkan Perancis pada 1954, kira-kira 160 negara di seluruh dunia sudah pun melaksanakannya.

Di Asean, hanya Malaysia, Brunei dan Myanmar saja belum melaksanakannya. Ini dengan sendirinya menangkis tohmahan bahawa GST hanya boleh dilaksanakan selepas negara mencapai taraf negara maju dan berpendapatan tinggi.

Pelaksanaan cukai ini amat adil kerana ia dikenakan ke atas perbelanjaan yang dibuat atau perkhidmatan yang diterima. Lagi banyak perbelanjaan lagi banyaklah orang yang berbelanja itu dikenakan cukai. Apakah ini tidak adil? Banyak berbelanja adalah orang berada, bukannya orang yang berbelanja untuk keperluan diri atau keluarga saja.

Kerajaan sudah menjelaskan bahawa barang keperluan asas seperti beras, gula dan sayuran akan dikecualikan daripada cukai itu.

Pelaksanaannya juga adalah lebih telus daripada yang ada sekarang. Inilah sebenarnya yang tidak disukai peniaga dan syarikat yang mahu dipertahankan DAP kerana ramai daripada mereka juga adalah penyokongnya.

Peniaga tidak pula mahu berterus terang menyatakan bangkangan mereka tetapi berselindung di belakang rakyat yang ditohmahkan akan dilanda bebanan berlebihan. Sudah tidak menjadi rahsia lagi peniaga ini rata-ratanya menyimpan sekurang-kurangnya dua set akaun syarikat yang berbeza. Satu set penyata yang sebenarnya untuk diri sendiri dan juga rakan kongsi. Satu lagi diadakan untuk pengetahuan awam dan Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN). Inilah yang mereka amat tidak senangi kerana dengan GST, mereka tidak lagi boleh menyorok kedudukan sebenar kewangan perniagaan syarikat mereka.

Oleh itu tidak akan berlaku lagi penipuan atau ketirisan membayar cukai kerana mereka tidak lagi boleh menutup kedudukan sebenar perniagaan mereka daripada pengetahuan pihak berkuasa. Dengan pelaksanaannya, cukai yang dikutip adalah yang sebenar. Apabila dilihat daripada kedudukan sedemikian, pendapatan negara tentunya akan bertambah dan kedudukan kewangan negara juga akan lebih kukuh dan mantap.

Ada juga yang mentohmahkan rasuah dan sistem kroni perlu dihapuskan dulu sebelum GST dilaksanakan.

Apa kena mengena penghapusan rasuah atau sistem kroni dengan GST? Malah pelaksanaannya seperti dilakukan di negara maju dan juga negara membangun didapati lebih telus dan saksama. Tidak pula kedengaran rakyat miskin teraniaya kerana GST. 

Penulis ialah Felo Kanan di UKM

Pantau perbelanjaan kewangan anda

Publication: HM

Date of publication: Jul 3, 2013

Section heading: 1Klassifieds

Page number: 021

SEKIRANYA pada setiap bulan anda mendapati bahawa anda telah berbelanja melebihi daripada yang sepatutnya, atau anda tidak dapat menyimpan sepertimana yang diharapkan, mungkin ini adalah masa untuk memantau perbelanjaan anda. Mengawal perbelanjaan merupakan asas untuk mencapai kejayaan kewangan. Jika anda tahu dengan jelas bagaimana untuk membelanjakan wang anda, maka anda mungkin dapat mencapai matlamat jangka pendek anda iaitu membayar segala perbelanjaan asas.

Seterusnya, anda berkemungkinan besar tidak dapat mencapai matlamat jangka panjang anda kerana tidak menyimpan kewangan yang cukup. Apa yang lebih serius, sekiranya anda menghadapi sebarang krisis atau kecemasan seperti penyakit, kemalangan atau kehilangan pekerjaan, anda akan menghadapi masalah kewangan yang sangat serius. Begitu juga jika anda tahu tentang perbelanjaan wang anda, maka anda boleh merancang kewangan dengan lebih ketat jika perlu. Anda juga dapat merancang dengan teliti untuk mencapai gaya hidup yang anda inginkan dan memperuntukkan kewangan anda seperti perancangan anda sama ada untuk pelaburan, pembelian saham, persaraan atau pendidikan anak di universiti.

Pengurusan kewangan amat penting pada masa ini kerana kesan inflasi akan menyusutkan nilai aset anda. Begitu juga hasrat kerajaan untuk mengurangkan subsidi yang menyebabkan harga barangan akan naik dan menunjukkan harga sebenar di pasaran. Kerajaan juga akan memperkenalkan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) pada masa akan datang. Justeru, perancangan perbelanjaan menjadi lebih kritikal bagi kejayaan kewangan kita.

Apabila anda mengetahui dengan jelas tentang berapa jumlah dan tujuan perbelanjaan anda, maka anda boleh menilai perbelanjaan anda secara kritikal. Matlamat anda adalah membuat keputusan yang rasional dan bijak tentang bagaimana duit anda dibelanja.

Dengan matlamat yang jelas ini, anda boleh menyediakan belanjawan yang lebih realistik dengan mengurangkan perbelanjaan bagi perkara-perkara yang dianggap tidak penting. Anda juga boleh menganalisis perbelanjaan anda dan mengambil tindakan yang sewajarnya. Sebagai contoh, sekiranya anda mendapati anda berbelanja terlalu tinggi untuk hiburan, mungkin anda boleh mencari jalan untuk mengurangkan perbelanjaan hiburan itu. Pada masa jangka panjang, kawalan perbelanjaan akan menanam disiplin dalam diri anda dalam berbelanja dan menabung mengikut belanjawan anda.

Dalam penyediaan belanjawan, anda akan menentukan keutamaan dalam merancang peruntukan kewangan anda. Peruntukan ini pula akan ditentukan oleh matlamat jangka pendek dan jangka panjang anda. Oleh kerana duit anda adalah terhad, maka anda terpaksa menentukan keutamaan anda dan ini akan mempengaruhi perbelanjaan anda.

Sebagai contoh, sekiranya anda ingin berjimat sebanyak RM30,000 untuk membayar pendahuluan rumah pertama yang akan dibeli dalam tempoh tiga tahun akan datang, anda terpaksa menyimpan sekurang-kurangnya RM830 sebulan. Jika pendapatan anda adalah RM3,500, maka untuk mendapatkan pendahuluan rumah sahaja, anda terpaksa menyimpan RM830; bagaimana pula dengan matlamat lain seperti ingin berumah tangga pada masa hadapan, ingin memulakan keluarga dan ingin berjimat untuk persaraan dan sebagainya.

Untuk mencapai matlamatmatlamat ini, ia akan memberi kesan langsung kepada jumlah yang boleh anda belanja pada bulan tersebut. Persoalannya, adakah anda akan berbelanja mengikut belanjawan atau berbelanja lebih sehingga menjejaskan matlamat jangka panjang anda.

Dalam menyimpan rekod, anda harus mengkategorikan perbelanjaan anda. Satu cara mengkategorikan adalah kategori perbelanjaan tetap dan perbelanjaan boleh ubah. Seterusnya perbelanjaan boleh dikategorikan pula kepada mesti dan tidak mesti.

Sebagai contoh:

* Perbelanjaan tetap dan mesti - sewa rumah, ansuran kereta, wang yang dihantar kepada ibu bapa

* Tetap dan tidak mesti - yuran kelab golf

* Boleh ubah dan mesti - makan minum, bil utiliti, petrol kereta

* Boleh ubah dan tidak mesti - makan di tempat mahal dengan kawan, hiburan

Seterusnya anda harus memulakan satu diari harian.

Setiap kali anda berbelanja, anda harus merekodkan:

* Jumlah yang dibayar

* Barangan yang dibeli

* Tarikh pembelian

Terdapat pelbagai cara untuk merekodkan data termasuk menggunakan buku nota, telefon bimbit dan perisian komputer seperti excel. Yang penting sekali, anda mesti secara konsisten memasuki data selepas perbelanjaan anda. Seberapa yang boleh pada setiap hari, anda harus mengkaji perbelanjaan hari tersebut dan memastikan setiap perbelanjaan anda telah direkod.

Seterusnya yang penting juga, pada hujung bulan anda harus menganalisis data tersebut. Adakah anda berbelanja mengikut belanjawan yang telah anda tetapkan? Di manakah anda telah berbelanja lebih? Apakah anda perlu lakukan untuk mengawal perbelanjaan tersebut pada masa akan datang? Dengan membuat penyesuaian dalam perbelanjaan anda, anda dapat mendisiplinkan diri untuk mengikut belanjawan dan mencapai matlamat kewangan anda.

Sudah tentu mengawasi perbelanjaan bukanlah mudah dan merupakan sesuatu yang dianggap leceh dan menyusahkan. Akan tetapi manfaat daripada usaha ini jauh mengatasi sebarang kesusahan yang anda hadapi dalam mengawasi perbelanjaan anda. - Ringgit, November 2010

GST bukan untuk bebankan rakyat

by Mahathir Haroun. Posted on July 3, 2013, Wednesday

KUCHING: Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) bukanlah dilaksanakan untuk membebankan rakyat kerana sistem percukaian itu tidak dikenakan terhadap barangan keperluan harian.

Timbalan Menteri Kewangan Datuk Ahmad Maslan berkata sistem percukaian itu bersifat lebih adil dan berkesan kepada masyarakat.

Menurutnya, ia juga bukan cukai tambahan sebaliknya akan menggantikan Cukai Jualan dan Perkhidmatan (SST) yang dilaksanakan pada masa ini.

“Ia (GST) adalah sistem percukaian yang lebih adil dan berkesan selain bukan untuk membebankan rakyat kerana tidak dikenakan untuk barangan keperluan harian seperti beras, gula dan barangan berkaitan makan.

“Tidak ada apa-apa yang hendak ditakutkan kerana pada masa ini rakyat membayar SST setiap hari dan ia juga bukan cukai tambahan,” katanya pada sidang media di sini malam kelmarin.

Beliau berkata, pada masa ini kerajaan masih belum menentukan tarikh pelaksanaan GST kerana beberapa kajian perlu dilakukan terlebih dahulu.

Tambahnya, rakyat juga perlu terlebih dahulu memahami kaedah GST sebelum ia dilaksanakan.

“Kempen mengenai GST sedang giat dijalankan termasuk menggunakan kaedah komunikasi bagi membolehkan rakyat benar-benar faham,” ujarnya.

Dalam pada itu, Ahmad menjelaskan bahawa GST berkemungkinan besar tidak akan dilaksanakan pada tahun ini.

“Saya tidak nampak kemungkinan GST dilaksanakan pada tahun ini,” jelasnya sambil menambah bahawa pelaksanaan GST mungkin diumumkan pada pembentangan Belanjawan 2014.

Menurutnya, GST yang bakal dilaksanakan di Malaysia tidak semstinya akan mengikut model yang dilaksanakan di negara luar.

“Kita ada konsultan yang melaksanakan GST. Tidak semestinya kita ikut model yang dilaksanakan di negara lain,” kata Ahmad.

Pada masa sama beliau menempelak pihak pembangkang yang tidak bersetuju dengan pelaksanaan GST.

“Tidak bersetuju GST dilaksanakan bermakna kita mundur ke belakang,” tambahnya.

Hadir sama Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Kastam Bahagian Penguatkuasaan dan Pematuhan Datuk Matrang Suhaili dan Pengarah Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia (JKDM) Sarawak Datuk Jamaiah Jol.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/03/gst-bukan-untuk-bebankan-rakyat/#ixzz2dPgeS0AI

Cabaran GST untuk Malaysia

by admin

Shaharul Shafie

Semasa negara menyambut Hari Pekerja hari ini, sekumpulan hampir 700 penunjuk perasaan melakukan demonstrasi secara aman di Dataran Merdeka bagi menuntut kerajaan memansuhkan cadangan pelaksanaan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST). Selain itu, penunjuk-penunjuk perasaan ini turut juga mendesak agar cuti pekerja selepas melahirkan anak dinaikkan kepada 90 hari dan meminta pihak peminjam perumahan supaya dapat mengurangkan jumlah bayaran balik pinjaman bulanan perumahan. Sehingga tengah hari tadi, dilaporkan seramai 6 orang aktivis telah ditahan oleh pihak polis untuk memberikan keterangan.

Langkah melaksanakan GST ini dilihat oleh kerajaan sebagai menjana satu bentuk pendapatan baru kepada negara. Ini adalah kerana jumlah pendapatan negara melalui sumber-sumber lain terutamanya hasil yang dibayar oleh PETRONAS kepada kerajaan yang telah dilihat berkurangan sejak harga minyak sedunia menurun selepas pernah mencapai paras USD140 per gelen pada tahun 2008.

Pada tahun 2008, PETRONAS dilaporkan telah menyumbang sebanyak hampir 45% daripada jumlah pendapatan negara. Bukan itu sahaja, pendapatan hasil daripada pelaburan asing atau FDI juga menurun walaupun ekonomi negara mulai nampak pulih sejajar dengan pemulihan ekonomi sedunia sejak pertengahan tahun lalu. Negara-negara pelabur mulai meninjau kos buruh yang lebih rendah di negara China, Vietnam, Indonesia dan India untuk melabur.

GST diperkenalkan di kebanyakan negara-negara maju. Namun begitu, beberapa negara memberikan kebebasan kepada negeri-negeri di dalamnya memilih bentuk pelaksanaannya seperti jenis cukai yang dibenarkan serta memberikan insentif kepada rakyat yang membayar cukai pendapatan. Tujuannya adalah mengurangkan kesan kepada kuasa membeli dan simpanan isi rumah rakyat.

Sebagai contohnya di Amerika Syarikat, setiap negeri akan mempunyai perundangan dan bentuk pelaksanaan GST atau nama cukai lain yang seumpamanya yang berbeza pada kadar cukai yang dilaksanakan dan memperjelaskan kategori dan jenis-jenis barangan dan perkhidmatan yang dibolehkan pengenaan cukai. Malahan, di sesetengah negeri di Amerika Syarikat, ada juga kadar dan jenis cukai yang diperkenalkan berlainan mengikut daerah (county) dan bandar.

Ini adalah kerana tidak semua daerah mahupun bandar di sesebuah negeri di Amerika Syarikat mempunyai penduduk dengan jumlah pendapatan perkapita yang sama. Bukan itu sahaja, beberapa negeri seperti Montana, Alaska, New Hampshire, Delaware dan Oregon tidak melaksanakan GST manakala kebanyakan negeri-negeri di Timur Amerika Syarikat yang mempunyai kadar pendapatan perkapita yang agak tinggi mengenakan GST pada kadar antara 5% ke 7%.

Bagi negeri California yang terletak di sebelah Barat AS pula mempunyai kadar cukai seumpama GST tertinggi dengan purata 8.5%. Walaupun begitu, kadarnya berlainan mengikut daerah di California. Sebagai contohnya di negeri California, Sacramento mengenakan GST sebanyak 8.75% manakala bandaraya yang lebih besar iaitu Los Angeles pula mengenakan GST pada kadar purata 9.75%.

Meskipun penanda aras pada anggapan umum ialah negeri-negeri maju mesti mengenakan kadar GST yang lebih tinggi, namun di negeri-negeri seperti New York dan Virginia, namun pemerintah di kedua-dua negeri kaya ini mengenakan GST pada kadar 4% sahaja. Malah di Delaware yang juga sebuah negeri yang kaya tidak mengenakan sebarang bentuk GST.

Walaubagaimanapun, di negeri-negeri yang tidak mengenakan GST atau sesetengahnya digelar Valued Added Tax (VAT) akan mengenakan kadar cukai yang lebih tinggi kepada sektor korporat yang terlibat dengan penghasilan produk dan perkhidmatan. Manakala di negeri-negeri di Amerika Syarikat yang mengenakan GST atau VAT, banyak peluang rebet dan pelepasan cukai berkaitan dengan perkara-perkara keperluan diri seperti cukai-cukai perumahan atau pintu, hartanah, keselamatan awam, utiliti tempatan, pengangkutan dan lain-lain diberikan.

Jika dilihat daripada kelainan bentuk pelaksanaan GST atau VAT di Amerika Syarikat, kita boleh simpulkan bahawa pelbagai langkah dan insentif dikaji dan disesuaikan dengan keadaan komuniti atau rakyat setempat sama ada mengikut negeri, daerah ataupun kawasan perbandaran. Oleh itu, membolehkan kita bertanya adakah pelaksanan di negara kita kelak mengambil kira keadaan komuniti setempat ataupun dilaksanakan pada kadar yang sama diperingkat nasional.

Di Malaysia, cadangan pelaksanaan GST sebagai salah satu inisiatif Model Ekonomi Baru yang masih diperingkat perbincangan. Namun demikian, persoalan yang timbul mengenai pelaksanaan GST adakah pengenalannya akan dilakukan setelah beberapa tuntutan golongan pekerja dan rakyat amnya dapat ditunaikan?

Antaranya ialah tuntutan-tuntutan supaya kerajaan dapat memperkenalkan gaji minimum untuk semua industri pekerjaan di dalam negara, mengurangkan kadar inflasi pada ketika ini 5.7% kepada pada kadar berpatutan (sekurang-kurangnya kepada 2%), mengurangkan kadar pengangguran dan pengurangan kadar kemiskinan tegar dan separa tegar terutamanya golongan mudah miskin bandar. Rakyat juga mengharapkan kerajaan supaya memperkenalkan perkhidmatan skim insuran/takaful kesihatan milik kerajaan yang mampu milik oleh rakyat dan juga memperbaiki usaha-usaha kerajaan di dalam mekanisma mengawal kenaikan harga barangan.

Di negara-negara maju yang melaksanakan GST atau yang seumpamanya, pemerintah mereka telah berjaya menambah baik undang-undang yang melibatkan kebajikan pekerja. Antaranya ialah memperkenalkan gaji minimum di dalam perusahaan dan perkhidmatan, perlindungan pekerja, insentif cukai sebagai galakan kepada majikan untuk menyediakan pusat jagaan anak-anak pekerja, pelepasan cukai untuk belanja kesihatan majikan untuk pekerja mereka dan lain-lain lagi. Malah, pemerintah juga memberikan pelepasan cukai pendapatan yang lebih tinggi kepada sesetengah kategori pekerjaan dan bagi yang berkeluarga supaya dapat menyerap kesan GST apabila dilaksanakan.

Memandangkan pelaksanaan GST di Malaysia masih dibahaskan dan dirangka oleh Majlis Penasihat Ekonomi Negara (MPEN), semalam seorang Profesor dari Sekolah Ekonomi London (LSE), Danny Quah yang merupakan salah seorang penasihat MPEN menyatakan cadangan MPEN mengenai pengurangan cukai pendapatan dan korporat untuk mengurangkan kesan GST. MPEN mencadangkan pengurangan 1% cukai korporat dan pendapatan setiap tahun untuk tempoh tiga hingga lima tahun lagi.

Beliau juga mengesyorkan bagi 80% pekerja di Malaysia yang tidak perlu membayar cukai pendapatan perlulah dibenarkan mendapat rebet bagi keperluan-keperluan asas untuk per isi rumah sebagai antara langkah-langkah untuk mereformasikan sistem percukaian di Malaysia pada masa akan datang.

Rakyat mungkin akan menyokong usaha GST berkenaan sekiranya aspek penumpuan kebajikan rakyat diutamakan oleh kerajaan terutamanya yang melibatkan kos persaraan keluarga dan pemberian rebat seperti petrol kepada pemilik kenderaan yang pernah dilakukan semasa pentadbiran Perdana Menteri yang lepas, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Program kupon subsidi makanan juga boleh dilakukan seperti yang diperkenalkan di negara-negara maju seperti United Kingdom dan Amerika Syarikat untuk golongan rakyat yang memerlukan seperti warga-warga emas, pesara kerajaan yang menerima wang bersara kurang dari RM1500 sebulan, ibu-ibu tunggal, rakyat kurang upaya dan mereka yang memerlukan bagi mengurangkan beban perbelanjaan mereka. Malah, program skim insuran kesihatan dan hospital berkelompok yang ditaja dan dibiayai sebahagiannya boleh juga diperkenalkan bagi rakyat Malaysia supaya mampu mendapatkan perkhidmatan kesihatan yang lebih baik di pusat-pusat kesihatan swasta.

Shaharul adalah seorang perunding Sumber Manusia Strategik dan program pembangunan organisasi, Selain itu, beliau juga menulis beberapa artikel analisa perkembangan politik, sosial dan perkembangan semasa dan selepas pilihanraya kecil di Sibu dan Hulu Selangor baru-baru ini yang diterbitkan di dalam KLToday.com. Beliau boleh dihubungi di rashidzack@yahoo.com

Facts and myths of this tax

Publication: NST

Date of publication: Jul 2, 2013

Section heading: Main Section

Page number: 018

Byline / Author: By D.K.

WHILE the government is mulling the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST), it would be good to examine the fundamentals and implementation to separate the myth from the facts.

GST was first introduced in France in 1954. It is a comprehensive value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services.

It is called value-added tax (VAT) in the United Kingdom and was introduced there in 1973. GST is now implemented in about 150 countries. Several countries in Asean have already implemented GST; Singapore introduced it in 1994.

How does GST work? GST is paid on the purchase of goods and services, except for exempted goods and services.

The government may decide that certain essential goods and services are exempted from GST. These would be certain groceries, medical supplies, educational materials and may even include petrol. The implementation and exemption is to be left to the government, as it has to take into account various social and economic factors.

The consumer is the last person in the supply chain and will bear the GST, which is like the last point of retail tax. Nevertheless, GST paid on the purchase of goods and services may be offset against that payable on the supply of goods and services.

Consumers, in many instances, are both suppliers and purchasers of goods and services.

Let's look at a professional, who is both a consumer and a supplier of services. GST paid on his consumption may be offset against that payable on the supplies required to provide his services.

On the contrary to misconceived beliefs that the cost of goods and services will go up, in the long run, it should actually go down, as the set-off mechanism should encourage suppliers to reduce prices. This reduction of prices, should, of course, be monitored by the government as suppliers should not benefit, on the one hand, and not pass down the benefits to consumers in the form of reduced prices.

The government should also take into account the impact of GST on imports and exports, as there would be either a direct or indirect effect on the domestic supply chain. It is envisaged that imports may be subject to GST, and exports zero rated. GST paid on the imports may be refunded and again, the set-off mechanism should take care of prices in the long run.

It is presumed that the government will impose a GST rate of seven per cent. While this may or may not be the rate implemented, it is anticipated that the 10 per cent service tax and six per cent government tax be abolished.

Tipping should be optional as in many other countries. Services rendered will improve, as customers will only tip if they are satisfied with the services rendered. The quantum will also be decided by customers.

With the imminent implementation of GST, consumers will develop a mindset of asking for receipts on the purchase of goods and services, as they would want to know that they have been charged the correct GSTrate, and whether they have been charged at all.

This collection and producing of receipts would provide a control mechanism that the correct rate is charged, exempted goods and services are not charged and controlled items are being charged at the right prices.

The rates on the receipts would provide a check and balance for both the authorities and consumers.

D.K., council member,

Gerson Lehrman Group Inc, New York, the United States

Vital people understand GST before implementation — Maslan

Posted on July 3, 2013, Wednesday

KUCHING: It is important to prepare people, businesses, companies and industries to be Goods and Services Tax-ready before its full implementation.

Deputy Minister of Finance Datuk Ahmad Maslan said the introduction of GST or value added tax would not burden Malaysians.

“What we need is to enhance the awareness programme in order to educate the people about the mechanism and concept of GST so that they will understand the advantages.

“GST is a system that is effective and fair which will replace the sales and services tax (SST),” he told a press conference before the presentation of Excellent Services Awards to 108 officers of the state Customs Department here yesterday.

“Understandably, GST will not burden the people as it will not be applied on basic daily necessities such as rice, sugar or things in the food and vegetables categories,” he said.

In fact, the people only need to understand that they were already paying taxes every day and GST would not be an added tax but one that would replace SST, he said.

Furthermore, he said the taxes collected would be put back to the system to benefit the people.

“There is nothing to fear about GST for 160 countries around the world have already implemented the system,” he said, adding that its implementation was not likely to happen this year as several studies in the final stages were still ongoing to ensure smooth implementation.

“Preparations are being finalised as it is a huge task which will involve the Customs Department especially in managing the transactions,” he said.

He said the government’s focus now was to carry out awareness programme to expose, inform and educate the general public about the system. As for the rate of GST to be imposed, Maslan said they would have to wait for the next budget to announce it.

Noting the negative response from the opposition about the full (GST) implementation, Maslan said it was an unwise thought as the country would be moving backward without it.

“With thorough studies and research being done by consultants, economists and analysts, this is the best system to boost the economy and the people’s welfare,” he said.

“Also, GST can help minimise the gap of ‘shadow economy’, a black hole in the market where unreported taxes are lost,” he said.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/07/03/vital-people-understand-gst-before-implementation-maslan/#ixzz2XxGvCUcH

Govt now raising awareness of GST, says Ahmad Maslan

Published: Tuesday July 2, 2013 MYT 3:13:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday July 2, 2013 MYT 3:18:59 PM

BY YU JI

Ahmad Maslan

KUCHING: The much talked about Goods and Services Tax (GST) will only be implemented next year, said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan.

"I don't see it being possible this year," Ahmad told reporters here on Monday. "Next year (is) more likely. We'll have to wait for the Budget (2014) to be tabled in October. 

"I think many announcements will be made then," he told reporters at an awards ceremony for

Royal Malaysian Customs Department here.

Ahmad said while he was aware of a timeframe and method for implementation, he declined to be specific, saying "let the Finance Minister make the announcement".

Pressed further, however, he indicated GST would be implemented.

"Yes, the Opposition is against it. But that would be like taking a step back (for a developing economy). 

"The GST has been studied for many years. It has gone through a thorough review. Analysts and

economists agree it is a fair and effective manner of public revenue collection. For one, it will help plug the leakage of the black or shadow economy."

Ahmad said the Government was working on raising awareness on the GST. 

For instance, he said the Government wanted to reassure the public that daily necessities like "rice, sugar, vegetables and others" would be exempted from GST.

"Also it is not correct to say GST is an add-on, since Malaysians are already used to paying Sales and Services Tax, which the GST will replace, not add on."

Among ASEAN countries, only Malaysia, Brunei and Myanmar were without the GST mechanism. Brunei, Ahmad said, is a welfare state, abundant in natural resources and with a small population.

"As for Myanmar, well, we all know the country has not reached that point in developing their economy yet. Around the world, 160 countries have GST. The GST is practised by the majority of the countries in the world."

GST is a consumption tax, he said, adding high spenders would incur more taxes.

Asked if the GST would initially be introduced at the Sales and Services Tax rate, Ahmad was circumspect. He also did not reply to a question regarding the possibility of an increasing GST rate as a way to minimise its impact, as practised by other countries that implemented GST.

"We are studying the best model, but that is not to say we will follow the models of other countries. What we want is a fair and effective mechanism, which will not lead to out of control inflation," Ahmad said.

He said GST would come under the purview of the Customs Department. 

"The customs will play the most important role. People have had the wrong impression that Inland Revenue Department would collect GST, which will collect only personal and corporate taxes."

A fairer tax plan than current one

Publication: NST

Date of publication: Jul 1, 2013

Section heading: Main Section

Page number: 018

Byline / Author: By Ta Kwok Chang

IN principle, the goods and services tax (GST) is a fairer tax than the current tax structure, where only one million income earners pay income tax out of more than the working population of six million.

It means that many are either not liable to pay tax or avoid paying their taxes.

The GST will be levied at every step of the supply chain and this will make avoidance difficult.

The other principle of taxing consumption rather than capital formation is good encouragement for people to engage in making profit.

Heavy taxes on income leads to the disincentive to earn more and could lead to expansion of the underground economy.

The GST widens the tax payer base and is fairer for all who consume and receive services, as they will have to pay their fair share.

If the GST is able to collect additional taxes through reducing the number of those who have been avoiding paying their taxes, then this should be well supported by the people.

However, the GST must not be used as an additional tool to collect more revenue.

Apart from indirectly collecting the rightful tax, its rate should also be set to revenue neutral.

This means that there should be a corresponding decrease in the income tax rates of individuals and companies to achieve revenue neutrality.

This will make the government more frugal, careful and accountable.

Ta Kwok Chang, Kuala Lumpur

Start GST at a lower rate, say experts

Monday, 01 July 2013 admin-s

(The Sun Daily) - Lai believes that businesses would welcome a reduction in corporate and personal tax rates as this would increase their competitiveness in Malaysia compared with the region. However, for individuals, it would only benefit less than 15% of the Malaysian workforce who currently pay income tax.

The proposed goods and services tax (GST) should be introduced at a lower rate of 4% to 5% in order to encourage wider public acceptance of it, said economists and tax consultants, even as a launch date remains elusive.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah had last Thursday said the government has yet to decide when it will implement the GST.

"An initial GST rate of 7% (which is similar to Singapore's current rate) may be too high for Malaysia. At 7% GST, Malaysia may have to consider reducing its corporate and personal income tax rates to 20% or below," BDO Tax Services Sdn Bhd head of tax advisory David Lai told SunBiz in an interview.

He said Singapore was able to increase its GST rate to 7% from the initial 3% in 1993 as its corporate and personal income tax rates were already at 17% and 20% respectively.

"In order to encourage wider public acceptance in Malaysia, it may be prudent to introduce GST at a lower rate, for example, 4% to 5% and to reduce corporate tax and personal income tax rates more gradually," he said.

He reckoned that if GST were to be introduced at 4% to 5%, corporate and personal income tax should ideally be reduced by 2% to 3%.

Lai also said when the government indicated that it would start GST from a fixed rate of 4%, it would be tax neutral if it were implemented two years ago. But once implemented, GST revenue is expected to grow in line with the country's gross domestic product even if the rate were maintained at 4%.

However, any further delay in implementing GST would result in greater pressure for the government to increase the initial GST rate beyond 4%, he said.

"The government should ideally maintain the GST rate for at least three years before making any adjustments. Taxpayers should be given sufficient time to adapt and fully comply with the requirements under the new GST system.

"Furthermore, any increases in GST rate should only be contemplated after the government has properly studied any inflation effects. From the experience of other countries, any inflationary effects are expected to be short term and should taper off," he added.

Lai believes that businesses would welcome a reduction in corporate and personal tax rates as this would increase their competitiveness in Malaysia compared with the region.

However, for individuals, it would only benefit less than 15% of the Malaysian workforce who currently pay income tax.

On how a subsidy rationalisation programme would affect the implementation of GST, Lai said the programme is intended to gradually shift and target subsidies to the lower income groups. Similarly, when GST is implemented, a list of basic necessities would be categorised as 'zero rated' to protect the lower income group.

RAM Holdings Bhd group chief economist Dr Yeah Kim Leng also recommends a lower GST rate of 4% to 5% to start with in order to mitigate the initial concern over inflation.

"When implementing GST, you want to get the businesses and consumers familiar with and used to the system first to ensure that there is greater acceptance. You do not want to have a major shock in terms of price. It's good to start from a lower level and gradually move up," he toldSunBiz.

"This rate can be reviewed annually based on economic conditions."

Yeah said the government should take advantage of the current economic environment where there is growth, full employment and low benign inflation to introduce the GST.

"There can never be a good time to implement hard reforms but we can't ask for a better economic environment.

"Also, now that we have a new mandate, the first two years should be the time to implement GST because by the third year, it will be more difficult as other political considerations kick in. The earlier it is implemented, the better," he said.

Still, Yeah is expecting the GST to be introduced next year.

"There will be some likely clarity in the coming budget (on Oct 25) and then perhaps they can announce the implementation for 2015. It's already long overdue. The important emphasis here is to reduce government's dependence on oil and gas revenue as government income," he added.

Yeah also said the subsidies rationalisation programme has to be more targeted and efficient in order to ensure that the benefits reach the targeted group.

"The basis of subsidy is actually to help the disadvantaged. Right now, the benefits of subsidies are spread to everyone, rich and poor.

"So, there's a good justification to have a more targeted subsidies system as it would reduce the fiscal deficit by 1% to 2%. Those will be the low hanging fruits that the government can quickly benefit from."

RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd economist Peck Boon Soon believes that the implementation of the GST could well be delayed until 2015.

"The introduction of the GST will likely lead to a one-off spike up in inflation, depending on the level of goods and services in the basket of the consumer price index (CPI) that will be affected. We expect it to add around 0.8-2.0 percentage points to the CPI, assuming about 20-50% of the goods & services in the CPI basket will be subjected to the 4% GST," he said in a report last Friday.

"As we expect inflation to average around 2.4% in 2015, the introduction of the GST could potentially push up the CPI to 3.2-4.4%, if it were to be implemented in 2015."

He expects the negative impact due to the introduction of the GST will likely be temporary and consumer spending is expected to return to a normal level after a brief period.

Start GST at lower rate, say experts

Posted on 1 July 2013 - 05:39am

Last updated on 1 July 2013 - 07:35pm

Eva Yeong

sunbiz@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA (July 1, 2013): The proposed goods and services tax (GST) should be introduced at a lower rate of 4% to 5% in order to encourage wider public acceptance of it, said economists and tax consultants, even as a launch date remains elusive.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah had last Thursday said the government has yet to decide when it will implement the GST.

"An initial GST rate of 7% (which is similar to Singapore's current rate) may be too high for Malaysia. At 7% GST, Malaysia may have to consider reducing its corporate and personal income tax rates to 20% or below," BDO Tax Services Sdn Bhd head of tax advisory David Lai told SunBizin an interview.

He said Singapore was able to increase its GST rate to 7% from the initial 3% in 1993 as its corporate and personal income tax rates were already at 17% and 20% respectively.

"In order to encourage wider public acceptance in Malaysia, it may be prudent to introduce GST at a lower rate, for example, 4% to 5% and to reduce corporate tax and personal income tax rates more gradually," he said.

He reckoned that if GST were to be introduced at 4% to 5%, corporate and personal income tax should ideally be reduced by 2% to 3%.

Lai also said when the government indicated that it would start GST from a fixed rate of 4%, it would be tax neutral if it were implemented two years ago. But once implemented, GST revenue is expected to grow in line with the country's gross domestic product even if the rate were maintained at 4%.

However, any further delay in implementing GST would result in greater pressure for the government to increase the initial GST rate beyond 4%, he said.

"The government should ideally maintain the GST rate for at least three years before making any adjustments. Taxpayers should be given sufficient time to adapt and fully comply with the requirements under the new GST system.

"Furthermore, any increases in GST rate should only be contemplated after the government has properly studied any inflation effects. From the experience of other countries, any inflationary effects are expected to be short term and should taper off," he added.

Lai believes that businesses would welcome a reduction in corporate and personal tax rates as this would increase their competitiveness in Malaysia compared with the region.

However, for individuals, it would only benefit less than 15% of the Malaysian workforce who currently pay income tax.

On how a subsidy rationalisation programme would affect the implementation of GST, Lai said the programme is intended to gradually shift and target subsidies to the lower income groups. Similarly, when GST is implemented, a list of basic necessities would be categorised as 'zero rated' to protect the lower income group.

RAM Holdings Bhd group chief economist Dr Yeah Kim Leng also recommends a lower GST rate of 4% to 5% to start with in order to mitigate the initial concern over inflation.

"When implementing GST, you want to get the businesses and consumers familiar with and used to the system first to ensure that there is greater acceptance. You do not want to have a major shock in terms of price. It's good to start from a lower level and gradually move up," he toldSunBiz.

"This rate can be reviewed annually based on economic conditions."

Yeah said the government should take advantage of the current economic environment where there is growth, full employment and low benign inflation to introduce the GST.

"There can never be a good time to implement hard reforms but we can't ask for a better economic environment.

"Also, now that we have a new mandate, the first two years should be the time to implement GST because by the third year, it will be more difficult as other political considerations kick in. The earlier it is implemented, the better," he said.

Still, Yeah is expecting the GST to be introduced next year.

"There will be some likely clarity in the coming budget (on Oct 25) and then perhaps they can announce the implementation for 2015. It's already long overdue. The important emphasis here is to reduce government's dependence on oil and gas revenue as government income," he added.

Yeah also said the subsidies rationalisation programme has to be more targeted and efficient in order to ensure that the benefits reach the targeted group.

"The basis of subsidy is actually to help the disadvantaged. Right now, the benefits of subsidies are spread to everyone, rich and poor.

"So, there's a good justification to have a more targeted subsidies system as it would reduce the fiscal deficit by 1% to 2%. Those will be the low hanging fruits that the government can quickly benefit from."

RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd economist Peck Boon Soon believes that the implementation of the GST could well be delayed until 2015.

"The introduction of the GST will likely lead to a one-off spike up in inflation, depending on the level of goods and services in the basket of the consumer price index (CPI) that will be affected. We expect it to add around 0.8-2.0 percentage points to the CPI, assuming about 20-50% of the goods & services in the CPI basket will be subjected to the 4% GST," he said in a report last Friday.

"As we expect inflation to average around 2.4% in 2015, the introduction of the GST could potentially push up the CPI to 3.2-4.4%, if it were to be implemented in 2015."

He expects the negative impact due to the introduction of the GST will likely be temporary and consumer spending is expected to return to a normal level after a brief period.

'Where are findings of RM51mil GST panel?'

Monday, July 1, 2013

6:07PM Jun 30, 2013 Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong is demanding the government to disclose the findings of a RM51 million panel to study the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

"Pakatan Rakyat and the citizens of Malaysia do not want the government to hide the GST study because it involves the welfare of many people," he said in a statement today.

He also urged the government to name the consultants engaged to conduct the study.

Liew (left) was responding to Finance Minister (II) Husni Hanadzlah's statement in Parliament on Thursday that a study on GST was last conducted in 2009 and therefore another study is necessary because the economic situation has since changed.

He pointed out that the government has allocated RM22 million for a ‘Panel Kajian Semula Cukai (GST)' (Tax Review Panel (GST)) under the 2010 national budget.

Another RM13 million was allocated in 2011, RM11 million in 2012, and finally RM5 million in 2013 budgets. The total comes to RM51 million.

Upon checking, Malaysiakini found the said allocations in the four budget proposals were part of the Ministry of Finance's one-off capital expenditure, except that it was simply named ‘Panel Kajian Semula Cukai', without specifying that it was for studying the GST.

Liew also said he suspects that another item in the 2013 budget worth RM50 million and named ‘Perluasan Dasar Cukai' (Tax Policy Expansion) is related to the GST.

"The parliamentary reply from Husni saying that the GST study was conducted only in 2009 is untrue," he said, urging the government to disclose whether this is an attempt to cover up the government's intention whether to execute GST or not.

"If the government wants to implement GST, a parliamentary select committee encompassing MPs from both BN and Pakatan needs to be formed to study the views of Malaysians," he said.

Unrealistic claims

Liew, who is also the DAP political education chief, said GST's implementation would essentially impose a tax on those who are previously not taxable, namely persons earning less than RM3,000 a month, or 60 percent of the population.

Claims that low-income group would not be affected because essential goods would be exempted from GST is ‘unrealistic', he said, because they would still incur the tax when purchasing other goods and services.

Besides adding to their financial burden and reducing their disposable income, Liew said GST would have an adverse impact on the economy by reducing domestic consumption.

"This is because while our exports are declining, domestic expenditure and consumption is very important to stimulate economic growth.

"If the government insists on implementing GST, it means the government would not only add to the sufferings of the low-income group, but it would also be a burden to the government because it has a negative impact on the national economy," he said.

Perjelas GST betul-betul

Oleh Maiamalina Mohamed Amin

Kuala Lumpur: Jawatankuasa khas perlu ditubuhkan bagi memberi maklumat dan penerangan terperinci mengenai Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) kepada rakyat sebelum ia dapat dilaksanakan.

Cadangan itu dibangkitkan Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) berikutan mahu rakyat maklum mengenai pelaksanaan cukai berkenaan secara keseluruhannya termasuk implikasi kepada mereka dan kerajaan. Pengarah Komunikasinya Mohd Yusuf Abdul Rahman berkata, ketika ini ramai rakyat masih kabur mengenai GST, malah ada yang memberi persepsi negatif apabila cadangan pelaksanaannya dibincangkan secara lebih serius sehingga ke Dewan Rakyat.

“Kita tak boleh menafikan perkara ini kerana sejak GST diperkatakan pada 2006, rakyat tidak menerima maklumat jelas mengenai pelaksanaannya, bagaimana ia dijamin tidak membebankan dan adakah betul-betul menggantikan Cukai Jualan dan Perkhidmatan (SST).

“Sebab apa yang kami maklum penstrukturan GST dan SST berbeza, ia mungkin boleh menjadi satu sistem pencukaian baru, namun bagaimana ia dapat dilaksanakan, FOMCA sendiri masih tidak jelas.

“Atas sebab itu, kami memohon kerajaan mewujudkan jawatankuasa khas yang boleh menjadi penyalur maklumat dan penerangan terperinci mengenai perkara ini supaya akhirnya ketika mahu dilaksanakan, semua pihak akan lebih jelas dan bersedia,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas mengenai pelaksanaan GST yang dapat membantu mengatasi masalah ketirisan kutipan cukai dalam kalangan peniaga.

Bagaimanapun, Menteri Kewangan Kedua Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah di Dewan Rakyat kelmarin, memberi jaminan pelaksanaannya tidak membebankan rakyat golongan berpendapatan rendah.

The implementation of GST in Malaysia: inevitable and imminent?

Baker & McKenzie

• Malaysia
• June 30 2013
• 

From as far back as 2005, the idea of introducing a Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in Malaysia has been bandied around, its merits and drawbacks mentioned, discussed, and heatedly debated. First introduced in the 2005 Budget speech, the government has since deferred the implementation of the GST several times with the stated intention to engage in further public consultation and to accord businesses more time to prepare for its introduction. Since the GST Bill was tabled in the Malaysian Parliament for its first reading in 2009, there has been no further progress in Parliament to date, with the second and third reading of the bill having been repeatedly postponed.

When the prime minister alluded to the implementation of a new tax structure which will ensure that the federal government's finances remain sustainable for the future in the 2013 Budget speech, there was a flurry of anticipation that the government will finally proceed with the implementation of a GST regime. Given that the 13th general election had recently just been completed, it is anticipated that the GST will be implemented very soon. This was exacerbated by recent comments by a minister in the Prime Minister's Department who commented that if the GST was implemented at the same rate  of 7 percent as that of neighbouring country Singapore, this can guarantee additional revenue of MYR20 – 27 billion.

Nevertheless, as recent as May 2013, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah made it a point to stress that no time frame has been set for the GST's implementation and that the government would be re-examining earlier studies before effecting the regime. This was in response to the outcry by the public that the 7 percent rate is too high. Whilst he affirmed that the rate for the GST has not been determined, he further added that a GST rate of 4 percent would be a normal starting position.

Malaysia remains one of only three countries in Southeast Asia that does not yet operate under a GST regime, the other two being Brunei and Myanmar. Currently, sales tax of 5 percent – 20 percent and service tax of 6 percent are imposed on the domestic consumption of certain prescribed goods and services, respectively, on an ad valorem basis. When implemented, the GST will replace the existing sales and service taxes. In contrast to both single-stage taxes above, the GST will be a multi-stage value-added consumption tax payable by all intermediaries in the production and distribution chain, though the tax burden will still be ultimately borne by the consumer. In contrast to the current sales and service tax regimes, the proposed GST regime allows input tax credits to be claimed, similar to the GST regime in Singapore and Australia.

Critics of the GST regime voice concerns on the exorbitant cost of implementing and regulating a GST system, as well as on the resulting burden on consumers whose incomes have arguably remained stagnant. Their argument centres around the contention that the GST is only viable if the income gap is first addressed and if the country's per capita income is higher than it currently is. 

Nevertheless, the government has recognised the issue and the proposed GST model contains similar concepts adopted by other regimes, such as standard-rated, zero-rated and exempt supplies. It has been proposed that certain basic goods and services which are deemed necessities will be zero-rated or exempted from the GST, including basic foodstuff, residential accommodation, education, health services, public transportation, and domestic water and electricity supply to a certain limit. Fears that businesses will increase the prices of goods in light of the GST should be allayed by the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2010 which came into effect on 1 April 2011. In addition, all exports of goods and services will be zero-rated to ensure that Malaysian products and services remain internationally competitive.

While the GST regime's implementation in Malaysia remains uncertain in terms of a concrete timeline, it is likely to be an inevitable outcome. Even detractors concede that the introduction of a GST regime would result in a more efficient taxation system overall as it would reduce the opportunity for tax evasion while simultaneously generating additional revenue for the country. It has further been acknowledged by all parties that personal income and corporate tax rates should be reduced accordingly in tandem with the adoption of a GST system.

It would appear that the move to introduce GST is in line with Malaysia's vision of being a high-income nation by 2020. Although the introduction of a GST regime would initially impact businesses and individuals across the board, a focused and well-driven implementation should prove to be beneficial for the country as a whole in the long run.

Tien Sim Lim, Yvonne Beh

GST: Kerajaan BN hanya tangguh saja

Harakahdaily,

30 Jun 2013

KUALA LUMPUR: Keikhlasan Menteri Kewangan Kedua Datuk Seri Husni Hanadzlah dalam memberi jawapan di Parlimen pada 27hb Jun 2013 berkenaan isu Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan atau GST amat dicurigai. 

Majoriti rakyat tidak mahu GST dilaksanakan tetapi Husni disyaki bersikap tidak jujur dalam jawapan Parlimen beliau, kata Liew Chin Tong (gambar), ahli Parlimen DAP kawasan Kluang.

Husni memaklumkan Dewan Rakyat bahawa “Kerajaan sekarang sedang melaksanakan kajian mengenai GST yang mana ianya berdasarkan kepada keadaan ekonomi dan harga semasa. Kajian sebelum ini yang telah dibuat pada tahun 2009, adalah berdasarkan kepada keadaan ekonomi dan harga pada masa tersebut. 

"Oleh kerana terdapatnya perubahan kepada keadaan ekonomi dan perubahan harga, maka kajian semula perlu dijalankan. Sehubung dengan itu, Kerajaan belum menetapkan lagi bila GST akan dilaksanakan.”

Bagi Liew, dua masalah besar timbul dari jawapan beliau tersebut.

Pertama, jawapan Husni ini boleh dibaca sebagai tanda Kerajaan hanya menagguhkan sementara pelaksanaan GST. Ini bererti GST boleh dilaksanakan pada bila-bila masa difikirkan perlu oleh Kerajaan BN.

"Kerajaan perlu ingat bahawa ia akan membangkitkan kemarahan rakyat jika GST dilaksanakan. Kita semua tahu bahawa melalui bayaran BR1M sebelum ini, Kerajaan telah memaklumkan bahawa 60 peratus rakyat Malaysia mempunyai pendapatan tidak melebihi RM 3,000 sebulan," katanya dalam satu kenyataan.

Ini bermakna 60 peratus rakyat Malaysia berpendapatan rendah rendah. Hujah kononnya barangan rakyat berpendapatan rendah dikenakan kadar sifar GST adalah tidak realistik, katanya. 

Walaupun barangan kadar sifar GST, golongan berpendapatan rendah - golongan 60 peratus penerima BR1M – akan dikenakan GST untuk barangan dan perkhidmatan lain.

Bagi beliau, pelaksanaan GST tentu akan menyebabkan taraf kehidupan golongan 60 peratus ini terjejas kerana mereka yang selama ini tidak dikenakan cukai pendapatan akan terpaksa membayar cukai melalui GST.

Justeru, pendapatan boleh guna (disposable income) golongan ini akan berkurangan akibat kutipan GST. Apabila pendapatan boleh guna golongan 60 peratus ini terancam ia bermakna pertumbuhan ekonomi kita akan terjejas. 

"Ini adalah kerana dalam keadaan eksport kita yang menurun, perbelanjaan dan penggunaan tempatan amat penting bagi merangsang pertumbuhan ekonomi.

"Jadi jika Kerajaan tetap mahu melaksanakan GST, ia bererti bukan sahaja Kerajaan akan menambah derita golongan berpendapatan rendah, ia juga akan membebankan Kerajaan sendiri kerana ia memberi kesan buruk kepada ekonomi negara," katanya.

Kedua, jawapan Parlimen dari Husni yang mengatakan bahawa kajian GST hanya dilakukan pada tahun 2009 juga tidak benar. 

Menurutnya, di atas nama “Panel Kajian Semula Cukai (GST)”, sejumlah RM22 juta diperuntukkan pada tahun 2010, RM13 juta pada tahun 2011, RM11 juta pada tahun 2012 dan RM5 juta pada tahun 2013, iaitu jumlahnya RM51 juta dalam empat tahun, telah digunakan dalam Belanjawan-Belanjawan sejak 2010 untuk kajian perlakasanaan GST. 

Pada tahun 2013, satu perkara perbelanjaan bertajuk “Perluasan Dasar Cukai” (Kod 100600) yang bernilai RM 50 juta juga disyaki ada kena-mengena dengan pelaksanaan GST. 

Sehubungan itu, beliau menggesa Menteri Kewangan supaya: 

Mengumumkan hasil kajian panel tersebut sejak 2009; kerana kami Pakatan Rakyat dan rakyat Malaysia tidak mahu lagi Kerajaan merahsiakan kajian GST kerana ia melibatkan kesejahteraan rakyat terbanyak; 

Mengumumkan pihak konsultan yang terpilih untuk menjalankan kajian tersebut kerana ini juga perlu diketahui oleh rakyat Malaysia; 

Memberi penjelasan lanjut sama da jawapan Parlimen dari Husni hanya bertujuan menyembunyikan hasrat Kerajaan untuk melaksanakan GST atau tidak; 

"Dan kalau jika Kerajaan BN benar-benar mahu melaksanakan GST, satu jawatankuasa pilihan Parlimen yang merangkumi Ahli-ahli parlimen dari kedua-dua pihak – BN dan Pakatan Rakyat – perlu ditubuhkan untuk mengkaji dan meneliti pandangan rakyat Malaysia," katanya.

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