GST postponement not due to lack of political will

ARKIB : 22/03/2010

IPOH, March 21 - The government decision to postpone tabling of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill for second reading in parliament is not due to lack of political will.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said the government's political will is putting people first by providing adequate information before GST is implemented to replace Sale and Service Tax (SST).

"The people are given the chance to give input so that when implemented, GST will be accepted by the people and the government,” he told reporters at Taman Meru here today.

He said the people should be fully informed on GST as they had been exposed to all sorts of information that was against the government's aim in implementing GST.

Husni denied that the GST postponement was because Barisan Nasional (BN) feared punishment by the people at the next general election.

"The opposition's weaknesses have actually strengthened BN. The Anwar Ibrahim factor will also play a part.

"It is not right to say that our fortunes rest on GST. Election will only be held in 2012 or 2013 and there will be other factors by that time,” he added. - Bernama

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