GST a common tax system

Posted on November 1, 2013, Friday

SIBU: Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a system adopted by almost 200 countries worldwide, Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday.

“Had the tax system been counter-productive, it would not have been adopted by a majority of countries in the world, whether developed or undeveloped,” he pointed out.

“GST is implemented in 160 countries in the world…definitely, there will be hitches here and there when it is implemented come 2015. But Malaysians would soon adjust themselves to this new system,” he said.

He was reacting to Gombak MP Azmin Ali who had said that Malaysia was seen as not ready to implement the new tax because more than 40 per cent of the people had household income of less than RM2,500 a month, with 80 per cent being Malays and Bumiputras.

Azmin was reported by Bernama as saying that GST would squeeze the low income earners and the poor.

He said the government must take a leaf from developed nations which only implemented GST after their tax infrastructure were strong and income taxes were reduced to avoid burdening the people.

Meanwhile, Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said: “I do agree with YB Azmin, MP Gombak. That the current tax infrastructure must be strengthened and consolidated so that the tax system is efficient and only hit the right target and objectives.

“We must not burden the poor and the nearly poor groups. However, I support the government’s move to gradually implement the GST system.

Nanta, who is Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, added that it was timely to start to implement the GST.

Hopefully, the GST implementation would also compel the government to become more efficient, transparent, accountable, responsible, credible and conscientious in all her dealings.

“All these are virtues of a truly developed nation, for which Malaysia aims to be one even before the year 2020,” he said.

A councillor of Maradong District Council, Felician Teo, noted that the benefits of the GST would outweigh the drawbacks in the long haul.

Even though there would be a one-off spike in the prices of goods, these prices could be lowered in the longer term as manufacturers would be able to lower the cost of production with the abolishment of the 10 per cent sale tax and 6 per cent service tax, he rationalised.

This should cushion the impact on the lower income bracket on top of the 1BRIM handouts and the exemption of the GST on essential items, he pointed out.

“The sales and service tax (SST) not only results in higher business costs and distorted market prices but is also subject to a higher rate of tax evasion and fraud.

“Hence, it gives a lesser revenue yield for the government.

“Azmin Ali is right in supporting the GST as a more efficient and effective tax system as compared to the sales and service tax.

“With the government facing uncertain global economic conditions coupled with rising expenditure and widening budget deficit, the new consumption tax is necessary to widen the tax base in the country.”

A local businessman affiliated to a local chamber of commerce and industry, Dr Gregory Hii, opined that Azmin had a point by providing some figures as basis of his comments, adding that the government should evaluate them.

Dr Hii lamented that companies were also faced with problem to implement GST.

“I suggest government should provide free training for all companies required to implement them at all towns. Above all, government should also provide free software and hardware to SMEs who are required to collect these GST. It is fair to expect that,” he said.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/11/01/gst-a-common-tax-system/#ixzz2jOB9569Z

GST – What little we know about it

by Amy Dangin and Therenes Voo. Posted on November 1, 2013, Friday

KOTA KINABALU: Many are still unclear about what the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is all about, much less as to how it will benefit the economy and consequently the people once it is fully implemented.

A random survey shows the public at large are very much in the dark about the consumption tax announced by the Prime Minister in the Budget 2014.

Frederick Enggon, a 28-year-old semi-government employee, said although little is known about the yet-to-be-implemented GST, the notion about tax is that it is often a burden.

“It is said that the GST will benefit the people, but not many of us really know how that will happen. With the negative connotation related to tax, people will often assume that it will burden them and could not really understand how it can be beneficial instead.

“I reckon the government will elaborate in detail how the GST is going to benefit the economy and the people. If it’s going to be for the greater good, then I don’t see the need to disagree with it,” commented Frederick.

Rinto Marcus, 34, also a semi-government employee, suggested an awareness programme on the GST should be carried out for all levels of people to understand more about the move to implement it.

“It should be that the public is educated about the GST prior to announcing its implementation. Although some time is given before it is actually implemented, not knowing or having some understanding about the tax will give the public cause to presume that its effects would be mostly negative,” said Rinto.

Civil servants, Jainon and Shahrul, both opined that any move will have its pros and cons, including the implementation of GST.

“We’ve heard about it in the news but what is GST? If it’s a kind of tax then surely it will burden the people, especially the middle income and low income earners. Unless there is an increase in the current salary rates to match the implementation of GST, then it could be bad for the people,” they said.

Bank executive, Nuraida Khalid, 28, echoed the opinion that there will be pros and cons in implementing the GST.

“It might benefit some people and on the other hand, burden other people. I guess it depends on which industry they are involved in. But it would be best if studies and research are done before and after the implementation, to see how it will actually benefit the people and the country,” said Nuraida.

Thirty-year-old tutor, Carolyine Chau, said that if the GST implementation is going to make goods and services cost more than they are now, it will only mean bad for the people.

“What I understand about GST is that it would replace the existing government sales and services taxes, which are charged separately, and by combining both to become GST it presumably means that consumers will pay less once GST is implemented. But I’m not too sure about it.”

Ashley Thien, 33, a private sector employee, has a better understanding about GST than most of the public. However, he is in doubt as to whether the revenue collected through the tax would truly benefit the people and the economy.

“From my understanding, GST is meant to streamline taxation, meaning that it is done to deter people from escaping to pay taxes. So, it is taxed at every tier from the manufacturer to the end-user. It may not be a popular move to take, but it is something that is needed to help Malaysia achieve a developed nation status. The move will definitely collect some revenue for the government, and if the revenue is being used properly for the people and the country, it will do all of us some good,” said Ashley.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/11/01/gst-what-little-we-know-about-it/#ixzz2jOAuAl2X

Government made proper planning before implementing GST — Abdul Wahid

Posted on November 1, 2013, Friday

KUALA LUMPUR: Proper planning was made by the government to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in April 2015 to ensure it will not burden the people, especially the low income earners, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar.

He said this could be seen from several packages provided by the government in a move to reduce the impact of the GST implementation.

“For example, the government provides an additional RM300 in BR1M (1Malaysia People’s Aid) during the first year of GST implementation.

“We will also increase BR1M from RM500 to RM650 a year and for those with income of between RM3,000 and RM4,000, we give them BR1M of RM450.

“And for the medium income earners, there are also many programmes, like the personal income tax relief of RM2,000.

“This is among the off-set packages to help the people with the new tax structure,” he said in an interview with TV3 last night. — Bernama

The programme was hosted by Datuk Ahmad A Talib, Executive Director of News and Editorial Operations at Media Prima Bhd.

Stressing that food items like rice, flour, chicken, fish and meat were GST exempt, Abdul Wahid said the GST rate set by the government at six percent was also very reasonable.

He said the government had given notice on the implementation of the GST since 2006 and would use the 17 months before its implementation to explain the tax structure so that all parties including companies could be ready for it.

Calling for the GST not to be politicised, Abdul Wahid further stressed that the GST was a tax that was fair to all.

Asked if there could be abuse by business people once the GST was implemented, he said the government had mechanisms to prevent this notably from the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/11/01/government-made-proper-planning-before-implementing-gst-abdul-wahid/#ixzz2jOAOcbJp

Government made proper planning before implementing GST — Abdul Wahid

Posted on November 1, 2013, Friday

KUALA LUMPUR: Proper planning was made by the government to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in April 2015 to ensure it will not burden the people, especially the low income earners, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar.

He said this could be seen from several packages provided by the government in a move to reduce the impact of the GST implementation.

“For example, the government provides an additional RM300 in BR1M (1Malaysia People’s Aid) during the first year of GST implementation.

“We will also increase BR1M from RM500 to RM650 a year and for those with income of between RM3,000 and RM4,000, we give them BR1M of RM450.

“And for the medium income earners, there are also many programmes, like the personal income tax relief of RM2,000.

“This is among the off-set packages to help the people with the new tax structure,” he said in an interview with TV3 last night. — Bernama

The programme was hosted by Datuk Ahmad A Talib, Executive Director of News and Editorial Operations at Media Prima Bhd.

Stressing that food items like rice, flour, chicken, fish and meat were GST exempt, Abdul Wahid said the GST rate set by the government at six percent was also very reasonable.

He said the government had given notice on the implementation of the GST since 2006 and would use the 17 months before its implementation to explain the tax structure so that all parties including companies could be ready for it.

Calling for the GST not to be politicised, Abdul Wahid further stressed that the GST was a tax that was fair to all.

Asked if there could be abuse by business people once the GST was implemented, he said the government had mechanisms to prevent this notably from the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/11/01/government-made-proper-planning-before-implementing-gst-abdul-wahid/#ixzz2jOAOcbJp

Pembangkang pun akan laksana GST jika memerintah: Anwar

Posted on November 1, 2013, Friday

KUALA LUMPUR: Ke-tua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata pembangkang pun akan melaksanakan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) jika ia dapat meme-rintah negara.

Ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh itu berkata bantahan pembangkang terhadap pelaksanaan GST bukan bermaksud bantahan kepada sistem percukaian itu, tetapi terhadap kesediaan negara untuk melaksanakannya.

Anwar berkata sejak beliau dimaklumkan mengenai GST pada 1993, beliau mengakui bahawa sistem percukaian itu adalah suatu sistem yang efi-sien dan telus serta memberi kebaikan kepada pendapatan negara.

Pada sidang media di lobi Parlimen di sini semalam, Anwar yang ditanya bila negara bersedia untuk melaksanakan GST, berkata: “Lama lagi baharu boleh pertimbangkan (melaksanakan GST).”

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak semasa membentangkan Bajet 2014 mengumumkan pelaksanaan GST pada kadar 6 peratus bermula 1 April 2015, tertakluk kepada pengecualian beberapa barangan keperluan asas seperti makanan.

Mengenai laporan yang mendakwa Amerika Syarikat mengendalikan stesen pemantauan di kedutaannya di Kuala Lumpur untuk mengintip perbualan telefon dan memantau rangkaian komunikasi di negara ini, Anwar meminta perdana menteri dan Kementerian Dalam Negeri untuk bertindak segera supaya Malaysia ‘tidak kelihatan lemah’ dalam hal itu.

“Ini perkara serius kepada negara. Tidak ada negara boleh bertoleransi dalam isu berkaitan perisikan,” kata-nya.

Laporan itu diperoleh dari dokumen rahsia yang dibocorkan oleh pemberi maklumat perisikan Edward Snowden, yang men-dedahkan bahawa terdapat 90 kemudahan pengawasan elektronik di seluruh dunia termasuk di kedutaan Amerika di Jakarta, Bangkok dan Yangon. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/11/01/pembangkang-pun-akan-laksana-gst-jika-memerintah-anwar/#ixzz2jOA8uynE

PAS still against GST implementation – Veep

Posted on November 1, 2013, Friday

YAN: PAS is still against the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) although its ally, Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) tone on the issue seems to be in favour of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government’s plan.

PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said the stand made by the opposition pact on the GST issue had not changed that its implementation would burden the people.

He said the statement by Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali on the issue did not actually reflect the party stand.

Mahfuz, who is Kedah PAS commissioner, told this to reporters when met at the PAS headquarters in the Sungai Limau constituency.

He was asked to comment on Anwar and Azmin’s statement on GST, where Anwar had said that their objection to the implementation of GST was not that they were against the system, but whether the country was ready for its implementation.

Anwar also said that GST was an efficient and transparent tax system that was capable of bringing good to the country’s revenue.

On Wednesday, Azmin said the opposition had never rejected the GST and admitted that it was a transparent and efficient taxation system and capable of bringing good to the country’s economic system.

The GST of six per cent announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when tabling the 2014 Budget last Friday will be implemented on April 1 2015.

The tax is exempted on essential items like food and its implementation will replace the current sales and service taxes which are imposed on the people. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/11/01/pas-still-against-gst-implementation-veep/#ixzz2jO9ut9Jy

Pembangkang tidak tolak GST, akui baik untuk ekonomi

Posted on October 31, 2013, Thursday

KUALA LUMPUR: Timbalan Presiden PKR Azmin Ali semalam menegaskan pakatan pembangkang tidak pernah menolak pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) yang mahu dilaksanakan kerajaan.

Berbeza nada dengan rakan seperjuangannya yang lain termasuk Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Azmin berkata pendirian pembangkang adalah GST merupakan satu sistem percukaian yang cukup telus, efisien dan dalam jangka masa panjang mampu memberi kebaikan kepada sistem ekonomi negara.

Bagaimanapun menurut Ahli Parlimen Gombak itu, Malaysia dilihat masih belum bersedia untuk melaksanakan cukai baharu itu kerana lebih 40 peratus rakyat mempunyai pendapatan isi rumah kurang daripada RM2,500 sebulan dengan 80 peratus daripadanya adalah orang Melayu dan Bumiputera.

“Sudah pasti, jika dilaksanakan GST akan menekan golongan dalam kelompok berpendapatan rendah dan rakyat miskin,” katanya ketika membahaskan Rang Undang-Undang Perbekalan 2014 di Dewan Rakyat di sini, semalam.

Beliau berkata dalam pelaksanaan sistem percukaian itu, perhatian tidak sewajarnya diberi kepada golongan miskin tegar semata-mata, tetapi juga kepada golongan yang mempunyai bebanan hutang yang tinggi termasuk pekerja muda, pasangan yang baharu berkahwin dan juga mereka yang mempunyai tanggungan yang ramai.

Malah, katanya, FOMCA melaporkan sejumlah 47 peratus pekerja muda di negara ini dibebani jumlah hutang yang begitu serius, manakala Kajian Pusat Pendidikan dan Penyelidi-kan Pengguna menyatakan lebih 30 peratus daripada gaji golongan muda digunakan untuk membayar hutang sekali gus menge-sahkan beban dan kesem-pitan hidup generasi muda dan rakyat secara keseluruhannya.

Azmin turut menyarankan satu reformasi sistem percukaian yang bersifat meluas dan komprehensif digubal segera bagi menggantikan Cukai Jualan dan Perkhidmatan (SST) yang menyumbang tujuh peratus kepada pendapatan negara.

Azmin dalam hujahnya berkata dalam pelaksanaan GST, kerajaan perlu memperbetul falsafah dan matlamatnya agar menjurus kepada menjadi satu rangsangan kepada rakyat untuk meningkatkan simpanan serta tidak boros berbelanja. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/31/pembangkang-tidak-tolak-gst-akui-baik-untuk-ekonomi/#ixzz2jO9iPK7C

Opposition never rejected GST — Azmin

Posted on October 31, 2013, Thursday

PartiARTI Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Azmin Ali said the opposition had never rejected the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which the government wanted to implement.

Contrary to the tones of his other comrades-in-arms including Opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he said the opposition stand was that GST was a transparent and efficient taxation system and capable of bringing good to the national economic system in the long run.

However, the Gombak member of parliament said Malaysia was seen as not ready to implement the new tax because more than 40 per cent of the people had household income of less than RM2,500 a month, with 80 per cent being Malays and Bumiputras.

“Obviously, if implemented, GST will squeeze the low income earners and the poor,” he said when debating the 2014 Supply Bill at Dewan Rakyat here yesterday.

He said, in the implementation of GST, attention should not only be given to the hardcore poor, but also groups with high debt burden, including young workers, newly-weds and those with many dependents.

In fact, Azmin noted, Fomca (Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations) reported that 47 per cent of young workers were burdened with very high debts while a study by the Consumer Education and Research Centre indicated that more than 30 per cent of the salaries of the young were used to settle debts.

These, he said, confirmed the overall burden and hardship of the young generation and the people.

Azmin also suggested that a broadbased and comprehensive taxation system be quickly formulated to replace the Sales and Services Tax (SST) which contributed seven per cent to the national income.

He argued that in the implementation of GST, the government should correct its philosophy and aim towards spurring the people into boosting savings, and not being extravagant in their spending.

“In short, GST is aimed at re-distributing or diversifying, and not increasing the tax burden…not with the objective of obtaining an income of RM27 billion,” he said.

Azmin said the government must take a leaf from developed nations which only implemented GST after their tax infrastructures were strong and income taxes were reduced to avoid burdening the people. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/31/opposition-never-rejected-gst-azmin/#ixzz2jO9SgKpS

‘Customs Dept will be ready to implement GST in 2015’

Posted on October 30, 2013, Wednesday

MELAKA: The Royal Customs and Excise Department will be ready in terms of manpower, information technology and infrastructure to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in April 2015, its director-general, Datuk Seri Khazali Ahmad, said yesterday.

He said all officers had been trained and given the necessary exposure and training on the GST and its implementation over the last few years.

“We have 17 more months to go, which is a long time for us to explain not only to our officers but also to the people that this new system is not something disadvantageous,” he said.

Khazali spoke at a news conference after a special gathering with the Customs director-general in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the bestowing of the royal title, here.

Also present were the Customs deputy director-general (enforcement and compliance) Datuk Matrang Suhaili and Customs deputy director-general (enforcement) Datuk Zainul Abidin Taib.

A plaque was presented to every state Customs director.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, when tabling Budget 2014 in the Dewan Rakyat last Friday, announced the implementation of a six per cent GST on April 1, 2015, that will replace the sales and service taxes amounting to 16 per cent.

Khazali said the GST computerisation system to be used by the Customs Department was almost ready.

He also said that the department was working on integrating the system with appointed banks and banking agents to assist in the effective implementation of the GST.

The Customs Department and the Finance Ministry would organise more workshops, seminars, courses and briefing sessions to explain the GST and its implementation.

Khazali advised the people against being overly concerned about the implementation of the GST, saying the government had taken the necessary measures to ensure that it did not burden them.

He said people in the middle-income category would enjoy a reduction in income tax of between one and two per cent when the GST was introduced. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/30/customs-dept-will-be-ready-to-implement-gst-in-2015/#ixzz2jO98RLzg

GST will not burden people, says Hasan Malek

Posted on October 30, 2013, Wednesday

KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2015 will not impose any burden on the people or incur losses for the country, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hasan Malek said yesterday.

The six per cent GST would replace the existing sales and service taxes amounting to 16 per cent, he said at a school cooperative entrepreneurship event, here.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also the finance minister, announced that the GST would be implemented on April 1, 2015, when he tabled Budget 2014 in the Dewan Rakyat last Friday.

On the suggestion for several sectors or essential goods to be exempted from the GST, Hasan said the government was open to suggestions to improve or streamline the proposed new tax.

On another matter, he said the ministry’s officers would go around the country to explain the rationale for the government’s removal of the subsidy for sugar on Oct 25.

“Although it was an unpopular decision, it was made with the people’s health at heart and, hopefully, will be well-received,” he said. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/30/gst-will-not-burden-people-says-hasan-malek/#ixzz2jO8wF8fU

GST akan dijelaskan kepada rakyat

Posted on October 30, 2013, Wednesday

TERIMALAH: Ahmad (kiri) menyampaikan sumbangan kepada Ismail
ketika menziarahi penduduk di Kampung Batu 16 di Yan, semalam. — Gambar Bernama

Pegawai Kementerian Kewangan akan turun padang memberi penerangan

YAN: Kementerian Kewangan akan mengadakan siri jelajah penerangan bagi memberikan maklumat yang tepat mengenai Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) kepada masyarakat terutamanya di kawasan luar bandar.

Timbalan Menterinya, Datuk Ahmad Maslan berkata selain pegawai kementerian turun padang bagi program penerangan itu, pihaknya juga akan turut menggunakan media massa untuk tujuan berkenaan.

“Kita sudah ada laman web yang tertentu, www.gst.customs.gov.my. Antara yang paling efektif kita akan gunakan saluran televisyen utama yang akan dimulakan tidak lama lagi,” katanya kepada Bernama semasa program melawat dari rumah ke rumah di Pusat Daerah Mengundi Batu 16 Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) dekat sini semalam.

Ahmad berkata antara yang akan diterangkan ialah pelaksanaan GST di negara ini adalah antara yang terbaik daripada 200 buah negara yang telah melaksanakannya.

Ahmad berkata demikian apabila diminta mengulas mengenai pendekatan yang akan dilaksanakan oleh Kementerian Kewangan dalam menjelaskan GST kepada masyarakat luar bandar agar ia tidak diputar belit pihak yang tidak bertanggungjawab.

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang juga Menteri Kewangan semasa membentangkan Bajet 2014, Jumaat lepas, mengumumkan pelaksanaan GST pada kadar enam peratus yang akan bermula 1 April, 2015, yang merupakan sistem cukai yang adil dan menyeluruh, untuk manfaat semua rakyat Malaysia.

Sementara itu, Ahmad yang juga Ketua Penerangan UMNO berkata Barisan Nasional (BN) amat prihatin terhadap isu-isu yang membabitkan kebajikan masyarakat DUN Sungai Limau, terutamanya keperluan perumahan.

Beliau berkata kerajaan BN akan memastikan rumah mereka yang usang dibaik pulih melalui program Kasih Felda.

Setakat ini sebanyak 200 buah rumah di kawasan ini akan dibaik pulih di bawah program itu mulai awal Disember ini sambil memberi jaminan masalah rakyat di kawasan itu akan dapat diselesaikan jika calon BN menang pada PRK DUN Sungai Limau pada 4 Nov ini.

Terdahulu, Ahmad melawat rumah seorang pesawah Ismail Abdul Rahman, 66, di Batu 16, dekat sini dan menyerahkan sumbangan berupa barangan keperluan.

PRK DUN Sungai Limau menyaksikan pertandingan satu lawan satu antara calon BN Dr Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim, 52, dan calon PAS Mohd Azam Abdul Samat, 37. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/30/gst-akan-dijelaskan-kepada-rakyat/#ixzz2jO8THoUr

Pelaksanaan GST tidak bebankan rakyat atau merugikan negara

Posted on October 30, 2013, Wednesday

KUALA LUMPUR: Keputusan untuk melaksanakan Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST) tidak akan membebankan rakyat atau merugikan negara, kata Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan Datuk Hasan Malek.

Beliau berkata walaupun agak lewat, keputusan yang diambil kerajaan untuk melaksanakan GST sebagai cukai penggantian pada April 2015, adalah tepat dan tidak merugikan kerana cukai serupa turut dilaksanakan di 160 negara.

“Dalam soal GST, kita hari ini sudah ada cukai, jualan dan perkhidmatan tapi menjelang 1 April 2015, cukai itu dimansuhkan dan negara hanya ada GST sebagai satu sistem cukai.

“Sebenarnya GST telah dilaksanakan di 160 buah negara di dunia, cuma Malaysia saja baru nak amalkan dan ini adalah kenyataan, maknanya kalau GST itu membebankan rakyat dan merugikan negara, sudah tentu negara berkenaan tidak akan melaksanakannya,” katanya ketika berucap dalam program pembudayaan keusahawanan koperasi sekolah peringkat kebangsaan di sini semalam.

Turut hadir, Pengerusi Eksekutif Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia Datuk Nik Ali Mat Yunus dan Presiden ANGKASA Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah.

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, yang juga Menteri Kewangan mengumumkan tentang GST semasa pembentangan Bajet 2014 di Parlimen, Jumaat lepas yang akan dilaksanakan pada kadar enam peratus.

Menurut Najib, GST adalah sistem cukai yang adil dan menyeluruh yang memanfaatkan semua rakyat Malaysia.

Berhubung cadangan agar beberapa sektor atau barangan keperluan diberi pengecualian, Hasan berkata kerajaan dan KPDNKK khususnya sentiasa terbuka menerima sebarang cadangan bagi membolehkan penambahbaikan atau penyelarasan dapat dibuat menjelang April 2015.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Hasan berkata kementerian akan menerangkan kepada rakyat di seluruh negara mengenai rasional kerajaan menguatkuasakan pemansuhan subsidi gula, bermula 25 Okt lepas.

Pada majlis itu, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Temin, Jerantut, Pahang diumumkan sebagai pemenang utama anugerah koperasi terbaik, sekali gus membawa pulang hadiah wang tunai berjumlah RM12,000, sijil serta pekej pelancongan koperasi bernilai RM3,000.

Untuk rekod, sehingga Sept lepas, terdapat 2,288 koperasi sekolah daripada keseluruhan 10,769 koperasi berdaftar membabitkan 2.16 juta ahli. — Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/30/pelaksanaan-gst-tidak-bebankan-rakyat-atau-merugikan-negara/#ixzz2jO8DxBwL

GST fairer to the people, says Mawan

by Conny Banji, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on October 29, 2013, Tuesday

IT’S OPEN: Mawan unveils the plaque as (from right) Alexander,
Aaron and Brian (partly hidden) look on.

KANOWIT: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be implemented from April 2015 is fairer to the people when compared to the present taxation system.

In stating this, Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom added that other than being able to reduce ‘leakages’ in the country’s tax collection, GST allowed the people to determine the amount of tax they wanted to pay through their expenditure pattern.

“You choose what you want to pay based on your daily expenditure compared to income tax whereby your money is taken before you spend it.

“GST can be considered as giving the people freedom to choose whether to pay tax,” he said when met at Rumah Brian Langit in Sungai Jih here Saturday.

Among those present were Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent and his wife Susan Clement, and Tuai Rumah Brian Langit.

Mawan said more than 160 countries had implemented GST and this showed that it was the best taxation system so far.

He said in most developed countries GST had continued to be their main source of revenue.

“All countries implementing GST have goals so that their revenue can be generated sustainably through tax collection.

“That is why none of these countries have abolished their GST because it is more efficient and fairer than other taxation systems,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, Aaron said GST would not have much impact on the people.

“As we can see, 60 per cent of an individual’s income is spent on food whereby tax is not imposed on food.

“Also excluded from tax are health, housing, public transportation and education services,” he said.

Later, Mawan officiated at the opening of the new longhouse – Rumah Brian.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/29/gst-fairer-to-the-people-says-mawan/#ixzz2jO7sAVMg

GST harus dilaksana berperingkat selari dengan pendapatan rakyat

Posted on October 29, 2013, Tuesday

KUCHING: Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) harus dilaksanakan secara berperingkat selari dengan pendapatan rakyat.

Aktivis sosial Wan Zain Syed Mohdzar berpendapat, Belanjawan 2014 yang dibentangkan Perdana Menteri baru-baru ini tidak mempunyai perbezaan dengan belanjawan pada tahun sebelumnya kecuali pengumuman mengenai pelaksanaan GST yang berkuat kuasa pada April 2015 nanti.

“Saya berpendapat GST harus dilaksanakan secara berperingkat selari dengan pendapatan rakyat bermula daripada empat peratus sebagai contoh,” ujar Wan Zain ketika dihubungi kelmarin.

Menurutnya, dari situ GST boleh dinaikkan secara berperingkat setelah timbul tanda-tanda pendapatan isi rumah bertambah.

“Persoalannya dalam keadaan ekonomi yang tidak menentu, adakah kerajaan mampu menambah peningkatan pendapatan isi rumah menerusi belanjawan ini?

“Belanjawam yang dibentangkan juga masih belum dapat menjamin menambah baik Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) untuk meningkatkan pendapatan isi rumah daripada RM24,000 kepada RM34,000 menjelang 2015 dengan pelaksanaan GST dan keadaan ekonomi yang tidak menentu,” jelas Wan Zain.

Namun begitu, beliau menyambut baik cadangan menstruktur semula cukai pendapatan individu dan syarikat serta Cukai Keuntungan Hartanah (RPGT) tetapi pada masa yang sama berpendapat kerajaan harus mempertimbangkan cara untuk menambah pendapatan isi rumah termasuk struktur tangga gaji penjawat awam sebelum GST dilaksanakan.

“Jika pihak kerajaan tidak dapat mencari jalan untuk menambah pendapatan isi rumah serta menambah baik struktur tangga gaji penjawat awam, maka penduduk luar bandar dan mereka yang tidak mempunyai pendapatan tetap akan merasa beban yang berat terhadap pelaksanaan GST.

“Belanjawan 2014 menggariskan berbagai pendekatan di mana sejumlah besar daripadanya adalah untuk membiayai kos perkhidmatan dan oleh itu, kerajaan wajib telus dalam melaksanakan program dan projek pembangunan supaya tidak berlaku ketirisan dana,” katanya.

Jelasnya, sekiranya pihak kerajaan gagal menjamin kumpulan sasar menerima serta menikmati program dan projek pembangunan yang dinyatakan, maka usaha kerajaan untuk meningkatkan KDNK dalam masa 17 bulan akan gagal dan berkemungkinan penambahan jurang di antara golongan miskin dan kaya akan berlaku.

Sementara itu, penarikan subsidi gula sebanyak 34 sen sudah tentu akan mengakibatkan kenaikan harga barangan lain yang berasakan bahan tersebut.

“Gula digunakan serta dicampur untuk membuat hampir semua jenis makanan dan minuman dan oleh yang demikian secara automatik harga barangan di pasaran sudah tentu akan naik,” tambahnya.

Wan Zain turut berpendapat, pengagihan Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) hanya merupakan skim jangka pendek dan kedudukan kewangan bagi penerima adalah tetap sama walaupun selepas menerima agihan tersebut.

“Apa sebenarnya yang berlaku ialah pasaran akan dipenuhi dengan wang tunai hampir RM4.7 bilion,” ujarnya.

Di samping itu, beliau turut mencadangkan agar kerajaan membina projek lebuh raya Pan Borneo melewati kawasan pesisiran supaya ia dapat membantu membangunkan sosioekonomi penduduk di sekitarnya pada masa depan.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/29/gst-harus-dilaksana-berperingkat-selari-dengan-pendapatan-rakyat/#ixzz2jO7dAFZT

GST tidak membebankan, beri lebih banyak manfaat

by Patricia Gari. Posted on October 29, 2013, Tuesday

TUMPUAN MEDIA: Idris Jala ketika ditemu bual wakil media selepas menyampaikan
ucaptama di Forum Wilayah CAPAM di Kuching, semalam. –Foto: Muhd Rais Sanusi.

Cukai Jualan dan Perkhidmatan rangkumi barangan keperluan, GST tidak libatkan barangan keperluan

KUCHING: Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Senator Datuk Seri Idris Jala berkata Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) akan menggantikan Cukai Jualan dan Perkhidmatan yang dilaksanakan ketika ini apabila ia dilaksanakan pada April 2015.

Menurutnya ketika ini rakyat perlu membayar Cukai Jualan dan Perkhidmatan yang turut merangkumi barangan keperluan sebaliknya GST apabila dilaksanakan nanti ia tidak melibatkan barangan keperluan asas.

“Apabila GST berkuat kuasa nanti Cukai Jualan dan Perkhidmatan yang dilaksanakan sekarang dimansuhkan.

“Maknanya ia bukan cukai baharu tetapi pengganti kepada cukai sedia ada.

“GST tidak akan dikenakan ke atas barangan keperluan khususnya makanan seperti beras, bawang, ikan , ayam dan lain-lain lagi.

“Justeru secara secara keseluruhannya GST tidak akan membebankan rakyat sebaliknya ia akan memberi lebih banyak manfaat apabila kedudukan kewangan negara kukuh,” kataya kepada pemberita semalam.

Terdahulu beliau yang juga Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Unit Pengurusan Prestasi dan Pelaksanaan (PEMANDU) menyampai ucaptama pada Forum Wilayah Persatuan Pengurusan dan Pentadbiran Awam Komanwel (CAPAM) di sini.

Ucaptama beliau bertajuk ‘Memperkukuhkan Penyampaian Perkhidmatan Menerusi Perkhidmatan Awam yang Responsif dan Akauntabiliti’.

Mengulas lanjut mengenai GST, Idris berkata rakyat perlu diberi penjelasan mendalam mengenai sistem cukai itu.

Justeru ia memerlukan sedikit masa untuk dilaksanankan supaya mencapai objektif utamanya.

Katanya sistem cukai itu telah dilaksanakan di 160 negara dan Malaysia baharu mahu melaksanakannya untuk memperkukuhkan kedudukan kewangan negara selain meneruskan program-program transformasi kerajaan dan ekonomi.

Sementara itu apabila diminta mengulas tindakan Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) menghentikan pembekuan pengedaran buletin mingguan The Herald di Sabah Ahad lepas, Idris berkata ia hanya insiden salah faham antara pihak terlibat.

“Perkara itu tidak seharusnya berlaku kerana Perdana Menteri telah menegaskan di Sabah dan Sarawak penganut Kristian di kedua-dua negeri itu boleh terus menggunakan kalimah ‘Allah’.

“Ini bukan isu di Sabah dan Sarawak. Saya percaya perkara yang berlaku adalah disebabkan salah faham.

“Tambahan Menteri Di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Joseph Kurup telah mengeluarkan kenyataan berhubung perkara ini,” ujarnya.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/29/gst-tidak-membebankan-beri-lebih-banyak-manfaat/#ixzz2jO7GO6TA

Sistem GST lebih adil kepada orang ramai

by Andy Sabang. Posted on October 28, 2013, Monday

SIBU: Sistem Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) lebih adil kepada orang ramai berbanding struktur cukai yang diguna pakai pada masa kini.

Menteri Pembangunan Sosial Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom berkata selain dapat mengurangkan ketirisan dalam kutipan cukai negara, GST membenarkan orang ramai menentukan sendiri jumlah cukai yang ingin dibayar melalui corak perbelanjaan mereka.

“Anda sendiri pilih apa yang anda mahu bayar berdasarkan perbelanjaan harian, berbanding dengan cukai pendapatan di mana duit anda diambil sebelum anda membelanjakannya.

“GST ini boleh dikira memberikan semula kebebasan memilih (untuk membayar cukai) kepada orang ramai,” katanya ketika ditemui pada majlis di Rumah Kaunselor Brain Langit di Sungai Jih, Kanowit petang kelmarin.

Katanya, lebih 160 negara telah melaksanakan GST dan ini menunjukkan ia adalah satu sistem cukai terbaik setakat ini.

Menurutnya, sistem percukaian itu terus menjadi keutamaan kebanyakan negara maju sebagai sumber perolehan yang bermanfaat yang kemudiannya disalurkan kepada rakyat sendiri.

“Semua negara melaksanakan GST mempunyai matlamat supaya perolehan atau pendapatan mereka dapat dijana dengan lebih mapan menerusi hasil pencukaian.

“Sebab itu, tidak ada satu negara pun melaksanakan GST lalu menghentikannya kerana mereka melihat percukaian itu lebih efisien dan saksama berbanding sistem lain,” ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Ahli Parlimen Kanowit Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang berpendapat kesan GST kepada orang ramai tidak begitu ketara.

“Jika dilihat, perbelanjaan terbesar bagi seseorang adalah makanan asas iaitu 60 peratus daripada pendapatan.

“Barangan ini tidak dikenakan cukai jadi kesannya kepada individu tidak ketara.

“Perkhidmatan kesihatan, perumahan, pengangkutan awam dan pendidikan juga dikecualikan daripada cukai,” katanya.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/28/sistem-gst-lebih-adil-kepada-orang-ramai/#ixzz2jO6rosrB

GST not political gimmick – Jainab

Posted on October 28, 2013, Monday

KOTA KINABALU: The public should look positively at the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 17 months’ time and not quick to consider the announcement in Budget 2014 last Friday as a political gimmick of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid expressed her regret that various opinions on social media websites had criticised Budget 2014 tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Before we consider any announcement as negative, we must first study its benefits. People who always think negative actually do not understand as they did not do research,” she told Bernama yesterday.

Jainab said the implementation of the GST in April 2015 would give opportunities for companies to restructure their accounts and stabilise their business operations prior to its implementation.

“We should remember that the government will assist the companies during the 17-month period so that they are ready when the GST is being implemented later,” she said.

She also said employers in Sabah should welcome the announcement by the prime minister, especially in the enforcement of minimum wage policy to workers.

“When the minimum wage was introduced, many employers grumbled as its implementation would have caused many companies to close down.

“Now, they (employers) should take the opportunity from the asistance that will be provided by the government so that they are able to give the minimum wage to their workers, and at the same time, derived profit from the GST implementation later,” she said.

During the tabling of Budget 2014, Najib said the government would implement the GST at six per cent, to replace the sales and services tax.

According to him, the GST was a tax system that is fair and comprehensive that benefits all Malaysians.

Najib also said the government had proposed an attractive package for businesses such as reduction in corporate and small and medium enterprises income tax from the year of assessment 2016, as well as provide accelerated capital allowance for cost of purchasing ICT equipment and software until year of assessment 2016.

It also included the reduction in cooperative income tax by one to two percentage points from the year of assessment 2015, and a training grant of RM100 million to businesses that send their employees for GST training in 2013 and 2014.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/28/gst-not-political-gimmick-jainab/#ixzz2jO6a3UOs

Goods and Services Tax a fair taxation system — Expert

Posted on October 28, 2013, Monday

KUALA LUMPUR: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a fair taxation system that distributes the burden of taxation among a larger sectionof the population based on consumption as it states the type and quantum of taxes consumers will be paying for goods or services, an expert says.

Currently, the country depends too much on income tax from both individuals and corporate bodies. Out of he approximately 28 million population of Malaysia currently, less than two million people are paying income tax.

Prof Dr Shazali Abu Mansor of the Faculty of Economic and Business, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), said the taxation system was mre transparent as consumers knew what type of taxes they were paying and their quantums.

“The poor people should not worry as they will only pay a minimum as their consumptions are mainly essential goods and services such as food, transport and educaion which are likely to be zero-rated and consumers will not be paying extra taxes.

“Therefore, taxes are for those who can afford to spend. This is because it is the more well-to-do and the wealthy who will consume more, the GST automatically taxes hem most, not the lower income group,” he told Bernama.

Saying that GST should have been implemented a long time ago, Prof Shazali reminded those doubtful citizens, to look at other successful GST casesworldwide and understand the need that GST could be adopted and done in Malaysia too.

According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the GST is now imposed in over 150 countries, including 33 out of the 34 OECD member cuntries.

Sharing a similar sentiment, political analyst Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said with

the GST, the government had enough revenue to generate growth and fund many development projects.

“For Malaysia to achieve a developed-nation status by 020, the government needs to reform the current tax system, that can drive business and development.

“Tax reforms, such as introducing GST, may receive much criticism at first, but economically, it is the right decision,” said the dean of the School of International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia.

However, Dr Mohd Azizuddin said the government must prevent the price of goods from increasing to ensure that this will not burden the middle and low icome group.

For Prof Dr Barjoyai Bardai from Universiti Tun Abdul Razak, he felt the implementation of the GST was timely as Malaysia wished to achieve the developed nation status with high income by the year 2020.

“The GST is a comprehensive and fficient tax system which can generate good income to the nation while not burdening the rakyat,” he said.

Barjoyai, who has a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in taxation and a Master’s degree in Industrial Management, said Malaysia, which is considred to be developed in this region, would be lagging behind if it still adopted the existing taxation system because Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam had long implemented the GST.

He said consumers must realise that with the implementation f the GST, the prices of goods and services were lower compared to the existing tax as it avoided double taxation.

The director of communication, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca), Mohd Yusof Abd Rahman suggested that the government carried out more programmes to brief the people such as having a forum on the GST in towns and the rural areas to avoid a misperception and confusion on the tax which was claimed to burden a sectionof the population.

In addition, Mohd Yusof suggested that the government produced a guide book on prices which whould show the differences in the prices of goods and services before and after the implementation of the GST.— Bernama

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/28/goods-and-services-tax-a-fair-taxation-system-expert/#ixzz2jO6HqV1O

GST penting untuk negara membangun

by Agnes Tugong. Posted on October 27, 2013, Sunday

BAU: Pelaksanaan Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST) penting untuk negara membangun seperti Malaysia bagi memperkukuhkan sistem percukaian negara.

Menteri Muda (Pembangunan Estet Perindustrian), Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie yang menyokong penuh GST berkata, pelaksanaannya akan membolehkan lebih ramai rakyat menyumbang kepada pendapatan negara.

Ini sekali gus akan membolehkan negara mempunyai lebih banyak dana bagi tujuan pembangunan rakyat di seluruh negara, kata Nansian.

“Salah satu perkara yang baik mengenai Bajet 2014 ialah pelaksanaan GST dan saya menyokong penuh GST kerana ia adalah satu sistem yang menyeluruh dan telah digunakan oleh banyak negara bagi memperkukuhkan sistem cukai negara.

“GST juga bertujuan untuk membolehkan lebih ramai rakyat menyumbang kepada pendapatan negara supaya tidak semua rakyat bergantung kepada hasil pendapatan negara semata-mata,” katanya.

Nansian berkata demikian ketika ditemui media pada perasmian Pesta Jong 2013 yang berlangsung di Tasik Biru di sini, semalam.

Tambah Nansian, rakyat sering kali mengharapkan lebih banyak dana tetapi, “Dari mana dana itu datang? Kita perlu menyumbang dan mereka yang mampu seharusnya menyumbang kepada pendapatan negara.

“Anda tidak perlu bimbang dengan GST terutama golongan miskin dan berpendapatan rendah kerana semua barangan keperluan tidak dikenakan cukai.

“Mengapa perlu bimbang? Semua barangan keperluan tidak dikenakan cukai tetapi jika anda mahu barangan mewah anda perlu membayar lebih kerana barangan ini dikenakan cukai,” tambah Nansian.

Mengulas lebih lanjut mengenai GST ia akan dilaksanakan mulai 1 April 2015 pada kadar enam peratus bagi menggantikan Cukai Jualan dan Perkhidmatan.

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak ketika membentangkan Bajet 2014 berkata GST akan dikuatkuasakan 17 bulan daripada semalam dengan kadar enam peratus antara yang paling rendah dalam kalangan negara-negara ASEAN.

Lebih 160 negara di dunia telah melaksanakan GST sekali gus membuktikan ia satu sistem cukai yang telus, berkesan dan adil.

Sementara itu, perkhidmatan pengangkutan, tol lebuh raya, pelajaran serta perkhidmatan kesihatan dikecualikan daripada GST.

Jual beli dan sewaan rumah kediaman serta perkhidmatan kewangan yang terpilih dikecualikan daripada GST.

Sebaik dilaksanakan, kerajaan akan memberi bantuan sekali sebanyak RM300 kepada isi rumah Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), serta pengurangan sebanyak satu hingga tiga mata peratusan dan penstrukturan semula cukai pendapatan individu.

Bagi perniagaan, antara pakej yang dicadangkan oleh kerajaan ialah pengurangan dalam cukai pendapatan korporat dan PKS daripada tahunan penilaian 2016, serta Elaun Modal dipercepatkan bagi kos pembelian peralatan dan perisian ICT, diberikan hingga tahun penilaian 2016.

Ia juga termasuk pengurangan dalam cukai pendapatan koperasi sebanyak satu hingga dua mata peratusan daripada tahun penilaian 2015, serta satu geran latihan RM100 juta kepada perniagaan yang menghantar pekerja mereka untuk latihan GST pada 2013 dan 2014.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/27/gst-penting-untuk-negara-membangun/#ixzz2jO5xXnJq

Nansian: GST to widen our tax base

Posted on October 27, 2013, Sunday

BAU: Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Peter Nansian has expressed his support for the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will come into effect in 2015.

Speaking to reporters after launching the Jong Regatta here yesterday, he spoke in defence of the GST which according to him will not affect the poor and lower-income group.

“GST is very important for us. Like any developed countries, the GST is to widen our tax base so that more people can contribute to the revenue of the nation and we have more funds for development.

“This has been done by many countries to make their tax base stronger,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the implementation of GST when tabling the Budget 2014 at the Parliament in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Fixed at six percent effective April 1, 2015, Najib said the rate is the lowest among Asean countries.

The premier had also said GST will not be imposed on essential food items, services provided by the government, transportation, education and health services, and sale, purchase and rental of residential properties and selected financial services.

Nansian, who is also Assistant Minister of Local Government and Community Development (Community Services), said this showed the GST will not burden the lower-income group.

“Not everyone is contributing to the revenue of the country. You ask for more funds, but where do the funds come from? So we have to contribute and those who can afford to contribute, they can contribute.

“You do not have to worry about GST, because the poor and lower income group will not be burdened since all the essential goods will be zero-rated or tax exempted. So what is the complaint, if you do not pay the tax,” he said.

He elaborated by saying that only certain items would entail paying the GST tax such as when buying a good watch or luxury items.

On his overall view of the budget, Nansian said it was a pragmatic one aimed at balancing the nation’s spending.

“What is important is we want to reduce our (budget) deficit which is very vital for our finances to remain strong because we want (financial) ratings to be good for Malaysia. This is why we do something necessary to stimulate the economy

“In terms of structural and fiscal, of course the government is making it more efficient, less wastage, so that we can manage our country better.”

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/27/nansian-gst-to-widen-our-tax-base/#ixzz2jO5erYy7

Lihat pelaksanaan GST dari sudut positif

Posted on October 26, 2013, Saturday

KUCHING: Lihat pelak­sanaan Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST) dari sudut positif dan bukan semata-mata hendak mem­bantah.

Menteri Muda Perumahan Datuk Abdul Karim Rah­man Hamzah berkata, orang ramai akan lebih berhemah dalam berbelanja terutama ketika memilih barangan atau perkhidmatan bersifat kehendak dan keperluan.

“Saya percaya rakyat se­lepas satu ketika pelak­sanaan GST akan dapat menyesuaikan diri dengan kaedah percukaian baharu yang diperkenalkan kerajaan pada tahun 2015 kelak,” katanya ketika dihubungi susulan pembentangan Bajet 2014 semalam.

Abdul Karim berkata, pelaksanaan GST juga pada peringkat permulaan tid­ak membabitkan beberapa barangan dan perkhidmatan yang digunakan oleh keban­yakan orang.

Katanya, sudah tiba masa bagi Malaysia memperkenal­kan GST apabila kebanyakan negara di dunia termasuk yang maju telah lama melak­sanakannya.

“Ia bukan satu perkara baharu, malah ia telah cuba diperkenalkan kerajaan kira-kira 10 tahun sebelum ini.

“Ini adalah cara yang dikenal pasti kerajaan dapat mening­katkan keberkesanan sistem percukaian,” katanya.

Ketua Setiausaha Politik Ketua Menteri Abdullah Saidol dalam pada itu ber­kata, bantahan pemimpin pembangkang terhadap GST menunjukkan pemikiran yang sempit.

Katanya, mereka harus melihat struktur dan faedah GST dalam konteks ekonomi moden.

“GST adalah sebahagian daripada transformasi ekono­mi yang diusahakan kerajaan di mana akhirnya tumpuan kerajaan adalah untuk mena­warkan pelbagai bentuk pakej bantuan bagi meringankan beban golongan berpendapa­tan rendah,” katanya.

Menurutnya, pembangkang mengambil jalan untuk mem­bantah hanya kerana ingin meraih populariti politik.

“Saya yakin pembangkang yang arif tentang keadaan ekonomi masa kini tentu bersetuju dan faham dengan tindakan kerajaan memperk­enalkan GST,” ujarnya.

Pengerusi DAP Sarawak Chong Chieng Jen dalam nada sinis mengatakan pelaksanaan GST merupakan ‘hadiah’ berikutan kepada rakyat yang mengembalikan pemerinta­han negara kepada Barisan Nasional (BN) menerusi Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13 (PRU13) lalu.

Menurut Ahli Parlimen Bandar Kuching itu, golon­gan berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana merupakan golongan yang akan terjejas teruk.

“Meskipun banyak alasan di sebaliknya, pelaksanaan GST akan menyebabkan in­flasi terhadap harga barangan keperluan harian.

“BR1M yang kita terima sebelum ini akan dibayar se­mula kepada kerajaan dalam tempoh setahun pelaksanaan GST,” katanya menerusi satu kenyataan.

Dalam pada itu, Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malay­sia (MTUC) Sarawak tetap dengan bantahan mereka terhadap pelaksanaan sistem cukai baharu itu.

Katanya, meskipun men­genakan cukai pada kadar enam peratus, golongan mis­kin dan kelas pekerja akan lebih terjejas berbanding golongan lain.

“Apakah jaminan terhadap GST yang dikutip akan dis­erahkan oleh pekedai kepada kastam?” katanya.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/26/lihat-pelaksanaan-gst-dari-sudut-positif/#ixzz2jO5L2FzR

MTUC Cawangan Sarawak tetap membantah pelaksanaan GST

Posted on October 25, 2013, Friday

KUCHING: Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC) Cawangan Sarawak tetap dengan pendiriannya membantah pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) walaupun mengenakan cukai pada kadar yang rendah.

Setiausaha MTUC Sarawak Andrew Lo berkata, kadar cukai yang dikenakan di bawah GST bukan sebab pelaksanaannya dibantah tetapi lebih meragui kaedah pungutan dan penguatkuasaan cukai berkenaan.

“Saya tidak pasti sama ada kadar cukai yang dikenakan di bawah GST setinggi 16 peratus dan ia hanya kadar bayaran dikenakan, ia sekadar jumlah cukai dikenakan tetapi lebih daripada itu.

“MTUC lebih bimbang bagaimana ia dipungut dan penguatkuasaannya dilakukan,” katanya ketika dihubungi semalam.

Katanya lagi sekiranya GST dilaksanakan golongan yang miskin dan kelas menengah akan mendapat lebih banyak kesan negatif.

Lo menambah, untuk mengurangkan kadar defisit negara kerajaan seharusnya mengambil beberapa langkah lain yang dilihat lebih berkesan bukan dengan memperkenalkan sistem yang akan membebankan rakyat.

“Kerajaan sepatutnya mengelak pembaziran dan mengurangkan perbelanjaan dengan mengecilkan saiz perkhidmatan awam, mengurangkan jumlah menteri dan mencari golongan yang sering mengelak membayar cukai.

“Kerajaan juga mesti menghentikan amalan ‘memberi’ kepada rakyat seperti pemberian Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia dan sebagainya kerana ia hanya langkah sementara,” ujarnya.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/25/mtuc-cawangan-sarawak-tetap-membantah-pelaksanaan-gst/#ixzz2jO4zlMao