DAP and PKR support PAS' stance in opposing GST

Published: Saturday November 23, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM 

Updated: Saturday November 23, 2013 MYT 8:02:03 AM

SHAH ALAM: DAP and PKR fully support Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s opposition of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which the PAS president likened to a mere “painkiller” for the Government while it continues to misuse public funds.

DAP deputy chairman Tan Kok Wai said Abdul Hadi covered a few topics of interest in his policy speech at the PAS muktamar held at the Malawati Stadium here.

“We agree with his stand to oppose the GST, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and to promote education for all,” he said when met at the sidelines of the PAS muktamar here yesterday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced in his Budget 2014 speech that the GST would be introduced at a rate of 6% on April 1, 2015. The GST would replace the sales and services taxes, which would be abolished.

Tan said the DAP was also agreeable to Abdul Hadi upholding the position of Islam as the country’s official religion, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“DAP hopes that PAS will play a more progressive and dynamic role in promoting political cooperation in Pakatan so that it will be a more powerful force to take on Barisan Nasional in the next general election,” he said.

In his speech, Abdul Hadi said PAS was consistent in opposing the implementation of the GST because it would weaken the economy via a taxation system that lowers the spending power of the people.

PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the Oppo-sition pact was united in opposing the GST as discussed in its meetings.

On Abdul Hadi urging the Government not to sign agreements which goes against Islam and promoted “immoral activities”, she said Pakatan had to discuss the matter to reach common ground.

Abdul Hadi had urged the Government against signing the human rights agreement deemed to be clashing with Islamic principles, in reference to the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs (Comango) which had made recommendations to the United Nations on the Government’s alleged human rights violations.

They had come under fire from scores of Muslim activists, claiming that the group’s human rights recommendation to the United Nations were against the true teachings of Islam and the sovereignty of the Federal Constitution.

Comango had also been slammed for calling for the freedom of religion, including a Muslim’s right to renounce Islam; the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual rights, the removal of Malay privileges, the freedom to embrace Syiah teachings, and the right for non-Muslims to use “Allah” to refer to God.