GST is good for economy, says Azmin

OCTOBER 30, 2013

PKR deputy president lauded the implementation of GST as a needed move.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Azmin Ali said the opposition had never rejected the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which the government wanted to implement. Contrary to the tones of his other comrades-in-arms including Opposition Chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he said the opposition stand was that GST was a transparent and efficient taxation system and capable of bringing good to the national economic system in the long run.

However, the Gombak member of parliament said Malaysia was seen as not ready to implement the new tax because more than 40 per cent of the people had household income of less than RM2,500 a month, with 80 per cent being Malays and Bumiputras.

“Obviously, if implemented, GST will squeeze the low income earners and the poor,” he said when debating the 2014 Supply Bill at Dewan Rakyat here today.

He said, in the implementation of GST, attention should not only be given to the hardcore poor, but also groups with high debt burden, including young workers, newly-weds and those with many dependents.—Bernama

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