`Opposition hasn't shown alternative plan to GST'

Publication: NSUNT

Date of publication: May 4, 2014

Section heading: Main Section

Page number: 002

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has hit out at the opposition for criticising the Goods and Services Tax (GST) without providing an alternative policy to boost the country's revenue.

He said the opposition should put forward its own plans if it did not agree with the government's policies.

"It is easy for them to hold mass rallies to oppose GST and call for the public to overthrow the government, (but) they themselves have not shown how they plan to tackle national issues.

"Such behaviour does not reflect a thinking society," he said, referring to the anti-GST rally here on Thursday.

Najib was speaking at the launch of the Malaysian Senators' Council (MSM) last night.

He said more than 160 countries in the world had implemented GST, which proved its effectiveness.

"Even if we lack understanding on what GST entails, that fact should put our fears to rest - 160 countries can't be wrong."

Najib called on the country's senators to continue raising the quality of debates in the Dewan Negara.

He said senate debates had improved greatly in recent days, with the Dewan Negara creating history on Wednesday when the sitting lasted past midnight to ensure outstanding issues were resolved.

"We want to hear more well-rounded debates from all senators, and not only on matters that represent their own interests or fields of expertise.

"They must serve as a check and balance, and provide different perspectives to the Dewan Rakyat."

Present at the launch were Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang and MSM president Datuk Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman.