Govt beefs up programme to explain GST to the people

Posted on 12 January 2014 - 05:50pm

Last updated on 12 January 2014 - 07:07pm

IPOH (Jan 12, 2014): With time in hand, the government will continue to expand the programme to explain the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to the people, says Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

The GST is set for implementation in April next year.

Ahmad Husni said the quest to get the people to understand the GST began with various media platforms and was now being expanded at the state level through the National Economic Empowerment Seminar (Pena) programme.

"We will fully utilise the time available to make the people understand. I find that there are still those who do not comprehend the context of the difference between the Sales and Services Tax (SST) and the GST.

"I was at function when an individual came with an invoice and stated he had been levied the GST and why this had been done now," he told reporters here today.

Fixed at 6%, the GST will replace the 16% sales and services tax (SST) now levied on certain goods and services, and is more effective, efficient, transparent and business-friendly.

Ahmad Husni said the national economy will also become more conducive with the implementation of the GST, with the government receiving more revenue to be used to assist the people in various forms.

"The corporate tax will be reduced, private investments will increase along with job opportunities as well as the people's income. This will bring about prosperity for the country towards becoming a developed nation," he added.

He said those who opposed implementation of the GST were worried about their own positions in the face of the country becoming more prosperous and were using the rise in prices of goods to instigate the people.

"The government is keen on tackling the issue of rising prices by engaging with the private sector, traders and producers, so that they can improve production to achieve a balance in supply and demand.

"The government has always the interest of the people at heart. Will by holding protests and demonstrations, the price of oil and of goods come down?" he asked.

Ahmad Husni urged those concerned to instead suggest concrete ways and ideas on overcoming the issue which has impacted the people, as seen from the way the opposition and government cooperate in developed countries, without resorting to acts of sabotage. – Bernama