Budget 2014: Mixed reaction to Government’s plan to implement GST

Published: Saturday October 26, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM 

Updated: Saturday October 26, 2013 MYT 8:25:40 AM

PETALING JAYA: There is mixed reaction to the Government’s plan to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in April 2015.

Chilis restaurant manager Francis Xavier Joseph, 26, believes that even though the GST would affect the food and beverage industry, it was still the best way to improve the economy.

“We will lose out, as many people will not want to dine out. This will affect our sales and cost.

“But as an ordinary person, I think it’s better for the Government to take such action so that its revenue will be stable and this will improve our economy,” he said.

Restaurant manager Chong Suk Yin, 24, feels that the GST would be tough on the lower income groups.

“The Government should be helping the poor, and implementing the GST is not helping them,” she said.

Alyssa Phoon, 30, believes that GST should not have been implemented.

“Everything that you need to pay will include GST,” lamented the mother of two.

Phoon also believes that the budget was not evenly distributed to society.

Andy Tan, a father of two, meanwhile lauded the move to cut the sugar subsidy.

“The Government is trying to reduce its debt and one of the ways to do this is to cut the subsidies,” said Tan.

He hoped that the money allocated would be used wisely to create a real impact that would benefit the public.

“Over the years, we have seen billions being wasted.

“You can allocate all the money that you want but we want to see whether it’s worth it or not. That’s the most important thing,” he said.

Tan also believed that if the Government was successful in improving the standard of living of the people, the crime rate could be reduced.

“When countries go poorer the crime rate rises.

“If the country is well taken care of and we prosper, I don’t think people will commit much of a crime,” he added.

He also believed that the Government should use only Bahasa Malaysia or English as the major medium of instruction in schools.

Meanwhile, South African Gino Pozzobon believes that Malaysia does not need any more high-end hotels.

“I don’t think tourists are looking for four or five star hotels.

“Most will look to stay in a place that’s inexpensive but with good service,” he said.