Anwar warns of GST protests

Posted on 6 October 2013 - 10:01pm

Last updated on 6 October 2013 - 10:35pm

Edmund Lee newsdesk@thesundaily.com

BUTTERWORTH (Oct 6, 2013): Just three days after Pakatan Rakyat (PR) declared that it would not hold street protests over the passing of the Prevention of Crime Act (PCA), the opposition coalition is proposing nationwide protests if the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is announced in the Budget 2014.

Its de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said PR will organise the protests as a sign of opposition against the tax which he says will burden the people.

"We will not only oppose the GST tabling in Parliament, but also organise protests in the entire country," he told a press conference after a walkabout at the Seberang Jaya market today.

Anwar was accompanied by Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin.

The Permatang Pauh MP said the parties in the coalition have reached a consensus against the tabling of the GST.

He said the implementation of GST will only add to the burden of the petrol price hike on the people.

He said this when asked by reporters about the possibility of the GST being included in the upcoming budget later this month.

The GST, if implemented, will be imposed on goods and services at every production and distribution stage in the supply chain, including importation of goods and services.

Last Thursday, Anwar had said that PR would only use peaceful means and not resort to street protests, adding that the consensus within the coalition was to avoid street protests.

He had added that PR would continue to voice its objections to the PCA through forums and ceremah.