Tuesday, April 8, 2014

SAMM: Postpone GST or face street demo


P Ramani | April 8, 2014

SAMM will take on the streets in protest of the new tax if the government refuses to postpone its implementation.

KUALA LUMPUR: Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) urged the government to postpone implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or face a street demonstration on May 1.

After submitting a memorandum to Pakatan MPs objecting to the GST in parliament today, it’s national coordinator Mohd Faizal Rahman issued a statement stating that Barisan Nasional (BN) had supported the GST bill without taking into consideration the difficulties faced by public.

Among the parliamentarians present to receive the memo were Batu MP Tian Chua, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin and Bachok MP Ustaz Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.

“This has left us without any choice but to opt for street demo to show the people’s objection on GST as the Dewan Rakyat has failed to assist us.

“We also believe there are possibilities the GST can be increased to 8 per cent in 2016,” said Mohd Faizal.

Mohd Faizal added that the people’s aspirations are not met by BN and this time around the fight with the government will be different.

SAMM also said that it had approached the relevant government agencies involved in GST to have an open engagement on it’s implementation but their request was not entertained by the government.

Yesterday, parliament passed the GST after a total of 119 MPs voted in support of it versus 81 who opposed.

Opposition MPs held up placards and banners with the words “Tolak GST (Reject GST)” to show their dissension.

GST will replace the sales and services tax and is set to take effect from April 2015.

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