Orang kaya sahaja kena GST - Ahmad

Oleh HISYAMUDDIN AYUB

pengarang@utusan.com.my

AHMAD Maslan (dua dari kanan) bersalaman bersama Pemimpin
Pembangunan Masyarakat (PPM) dalam majlis penerangan cukai
barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) di Kota Kinabalu, semalam.

KOTA KINABALU 27 Mac - Golongan berpendapatan rendah tidak perlu bimbang berhubung pelaksanaan cukai barang dan perkhidmatan (GST) kerana kebanyakan cukai dikenakan hanya melibatkan perniagaan yang mempunyai nilai jualan melebihi RM500,000.

Timbalan Menteri Kewangan, Datuk Ahmad Maslan berkata, perniagaan kecil atau tidak mencapai nilai jualan RM500,000 tidak akan dikenakan GST, sekali gus memberi peluang kepada golongan kurang berkemampuan untuk membeli barangan di kedai-kedai berskala biasa.

"Jadi apa yang hendak dirisaukan oleh orang biasa kerana GST kebanyakannya melibatkan orang kaya. Banyak kemudahan seperti pendidikan, kesihatan, sektor kewangan, sistem pengangkutan, eksport dan barang makanan tidak dikenakan GST.

"Malah, pelbagai manfaat lain bakal diperoleh sekiranya GST dilaksanakan termasuk berlakunya penurunan harga barangan serta pengurangan kos perniagaan apabila pengilang dan pemborong sudah boleh membuat tuntutan daripada kerajaan," katanya ketika berucap dalam majlis taklimat GST dan isu-isu semasa kepada pemimpin pembangunan masyarakat di sini hari ini.

Ahmad berkata, GST merupakan langkah kerajaan menyusun semula struktur pencukaian negara supaya lebih cekap dan telus sekali gus mampu mengurangkan kerenah birokrasi, selain mengelak kejadian individu yang suka 'lari cukai'.

Tambahnya, pelaksanaan itu juga mampu memberi hasil atau pulangan lebih baik kepada negara, seterusnya dapat disalurkan kepada usaha menjana pembangunan negara dan membantu golongan yang memerlukan.

Selain itu katanya, GST dilihat sebagai salah satu mekanisme terbaik dalam merancakkan sektor pelancongan dan meningkatkan ekonomi negara apabila pelancong ketika ini membeli barangan di negara ini dengan kadar lebih murah.

"Tiga bulan sebelum GST dilaksanakan, kerajaan akan mengedarkan risalah panduan kepada pengguna yang akan memapar atau menyenaraikan nilai perbezaan terhadap harga barangan selepas GST berbanding harga terdahulu," katanya.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Dalam_Negeri/20140328/dn_23/Orang-kaya-sahaja-kena-GST---Ahmad#ixzz2xDzZYKye

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RHB Research upgrades Malaysian property sector to Overweight

Published: Thursday March 27, 2014 MYT 8:50:00 AM 

Updated: Thursday March 27, 2014 MYT 8:53:29 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Research has upgraded the Malaysia property sector to Overweight and its top picks are IJM Land and Sunway while it still likes Tambun Indah and Matrix Concepts for their thematic angle.

The research house said on Thursday its move to upgrade the sector was underpinned by undemanding sector valuations and catalysts from upcoming infrastructure projects.

The other factors are a stronger 2014 GDP growth outlook and a negative real interest rate environment.

“We also recommend switching to larger-cap property stocks from the small-cap ones. Our top picks are IJM Land and Sunway,” it said.

RHB Research believed that five months after the 2014 Budget was announced, the sector's valuations have largely priced in the negative impact of the government's cooling measures.

The sector is now trading at a 33% discount to RNAV, slightly higher than the pre-election level, and much lower than the recent peak of 13%.

“Since January 2013, the share prices of the small-cap property stocks within the Kuala Lumpur Property Index (KLPRP) have appreciated by 59% versus the larger caps' 26%.

As small caps have rallied sharply over the past one year, we advise that investors take up positions in the larger-cap property stocks, as these developers are typically those with much stronger balance sheets, better landbank portfolios, stronger brand names, solid management and execution track records. They are now trading at attractive valuations,” it pointed out.

RHB Research said the high-speed rail (HSR), MRT Lines 2 & 3, and Kwasa Damansara projects will be the additional re-rating catalysts for the sector, especially within the Klang Valley.

As for Penang, its growth will still be primarily driven by the flow of investments intoBatu Kawan.

As for Iskandar Malaysia, although demand in the physical market will take longer to recover, there is market speculation that a new casino may be built in Johor. If this materialises, it could give rise to spillover effects on that region's property sector.

“Our expectation of a demand recovery in 2H14 is also driven by a stronger 2014 GDP growth outlook and the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) in April 2015.

“We expect demand to surge prior to GST implementation while our in-house estimate of a stronger GDP growth of 5.4% this year (2013: 4.7%) is favourable to the sector,” it said.

WAY TOO MUCH! GST awareness campaign will cost RM365 million

The unpopular goods and services tax (GST) will take RM365 million from public coffer to get it running by April next year.

The figure was provided by Finance Ministry in a parliamentary reply to Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad yesterday.

Breaking down the RM365 million, RM17 million is allocated to promote GST awareness campaign, RM100 million for business operators and the biggest chunk RM250 million will be spent on a computer system and new software.

Khalid blasted the government questioning the logic to utilise such huge funding to implement a system that would burden the people in the end.

“Before anything, the government has to carry a burden of RM365 million to implement GST. The people’s money is just to add burden to the people.

They said GST is good because (the people) do not need to pay more. This is like campaigning that the medicine is good because you don’t need the medicine. This is misleading,” jibed the PAS central committee member. -Harakahdaily

Full article: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=250891:way-too-much-gst-awareness-campaign-will-cost-rm365-million&Itemid=2#ixzz2x2yNJ6RT

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255 produk dikaji untuk dimasuk atau dikecuali GST

Publication: BH

Date of publication: Mar 25, 2014

Section heading: Main Section

Page number: 016

Byline / Author: Oleh Mohd Azrone Sarabatin; Halina Mohd Noor; Fairuz Zaidan

Kerajaan sedang menjalankan kajian terperinci terhadap 255 produk yang mungkin dimasukkan atau dikecualikan dalam pelaksanaan sistem cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST).

Menteri Kewangan II, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah (gambar), berkata ketika ini sebanyak 689 produk akan dimasukkan ke dalam pelaksanaan GST, manakala beras, tepung, ayam, ikan dikecualikan daripada cukai berkenaan.

Katanya, selain itu, ada 273 produk yang dahulunya dikenakan 10 peratus cukai, kini dengan GST, hanya enam peratus sahaja, manakala sebanyak 255 produk lagi masih dalam kajian, sejauh mana dilaksanakan atau tidak.

Penilaian mendalam

"Dari segi kadar, setakat ini hanya lima negara sahaja yang mengenakan kadar lima peratus manakala tiga negara dengan kadar tujuh peratus," katanya ketika menggulung usul menjunjung kasih titah Diraja pada Persidangan Dewan Rakyat, di sini, semalam.

Kerajaan sebelum ini memutuskan pelaksanaan GST akan bermula pada 1 April 2015 pada kadar enam peratus.

Ahmad Husni berkata, pelaksanaan GST bukannya dilakukan dengan 'main-main' tetapi membabitkan penilaian mendalam sehingga menjangkaui sektor perumahan dan kesihatan.

Dalam perkembangan lain, beliau ketika menjawab isu kerugian Penerbangan Malaysia (MAS) yang dibangkitkan oleh beberapa wakil rakyat berkata, industri penerbangan adalah industri mencabar dengan kenaikan harga bahan bakar mampu 'merencatkan' keuntungan sesebuah syarikat.

Katanya, bukan sahaja MAS, beberapa syarikat penerbangan seperti Thai Airways dan Korean Air juga mengalami kerugian beberapa tahun lalu

"Apa yang dilakukan MAS, syarikat itu sedang dalam proses menggantikan kepada pesawat baharu yang mampu mengurangkan kos minyak. Saya yakin kewangan mereka akan lebih baik pada masa depan," katanya.

Syarikat terbabit GST perlu daftar Mei

Publication: BH

Date of publication: Mar 25, 2014

Section heading: Bisnes

Page number: 003

Byline / Author: Oleh Mahanum Abdul Aziz

Pendaftaran awal bagi syarikat dan perniagaan yang termaktub di bawah pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) akan dibuka pada Mei ini.

Penolong Kanan Pengarah Kastam 1, Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia, Rohana Ahmad, berkata pendaftaran itu boleh dibuat secara dalam talian di portal rasmi GST yang dikendalikan jabatan berkenaan.

Beliau berkata, pendaftaran awal itu dibuka bagi mengelakkan kesesakan dan melancarkan pelaksanaanGST yang akan berkuat kuasa pada 1 April 2015 bagi menggantikan Cukai Jualan dan Perkhidmatan (SST).

Penalti jika tak daftar

Katanya, syarikat yang wajib mendaftar di bawah GST ialah syarikat yang memperoleh pendapatan tahunan sebanyak RM500,000.

"Syarikat yang wajib mendaftar akan dikenakan penalti jika gagal mendaftar selewat-lewatnya pada Januari tahun depan," katanya ketika ditemui pada Seminar Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan 2014 anjuran bersama Majlis Perancangan Kewangan Malaysia (MPKM), Persatuan Perancangan Kewangan Malaysia (FPAM) dan Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia di Kuala Lumpur semalam.

Yang turut hadir ialah Presiden MPKM, Md Adnan Md Zain dan Timbalan Presiden FPAM, Tang Wee Hen.

Rohana berkata, syarikat yang mempunyai pendapatan tahunan di bawah paras RM500,000 tidak perlu mendaftar di bawah GST tetapi masih boleh memohon untuk berdaftar secara sukarela.

Beliau berkata, GST adalah satu sistem cukai yang adil dan menyeluruh yang akan memberi manfaat kepada semua rakyat Malaysia.

Bendung ketirisan

Katanya, pelaksanaan GST dapat membendung pelbagai ketirisan di sepanjang rantaian bekalan pengeluaran barangan, sekali gus membolehkan kerajaan mengutip cukai lebih tinggi dalam jangka panjang.

"GST akan dilaksanakan pada 1 April 2015 pada kadar enam peratus bagi menggantikan cukai jualan, yang kini dikenakan sebanyak lima dan 10 peratus serta cukai perkhidmatan iaitu sebanyak enam peratus," katanya.

CIMB Research retains MyEG's target price at RM3.05

Published: Wednesday March 26, 2014 MYT 10:32:00 AM 

Updated: Wednesday March 26, 2014 MYT 10:35:38 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Equities Research is maintaining MyEG Services target price at RM3.05 and its Hold call as most of the positive news flow is already in the share price.

It said on Wednesday MyEG's Customs Service Tax Monitoring system (CSTM) project was expected to start nationwide from April 2014 onwards.

Phase 1 of this project involves linking up around 20,000 point-of-sales (POS) terminals at restaurants and entertainment outlets across the whole country to monitor service tax transactions electronically.

"This will be done through installing dongles at the cash register terminals. MyEG believes that CSTM should help reduce leakages and improve the government's service tax revenue collection," it said.

The CSTM system will move from the current service tax of 6% to the Good and Services Tax (GST) on Apr 1, 2015. The GST will also be set at 6% initially. CSTM is already GST compliance.

"In 2014, the government is expected to collect around RM850mil service tax under CSTM's Phase 1. Taking into account the country's long-term inflation and economic growth, the base case for the service tax is set at a 10% annual growth over the next six years.

"MyEG will only get compensated if the service tax collection is above the revenue base case scenario. The company will effectively get 20% of any increase in service tax collected above the base case (not including opex and depreciation). However, the company gets nothing if the service tax collection is below the base-case scenario.

"Our sensitivity analysis shows MyEG should break even if CSTM's revenue is 10% above the revenue base-case. We have assumed for MyEG, CSTM's revenue base is 20% above the base-case scenario. This should help contribute RM18mil to RM20mil in net profit to MyEG in FY15/16," it said.

Kos sara hidup terkawal walau banyak rungutan, kata Idris Jala

OLEH MD IZWAN

MARCH 25, 2014

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri yang juga Pengerusi Pemandu, Datuk Seri Idris Jala bercakap ketika Siri Global Malaysia di Petaling Jaya, hari ini. – Gambar The Malaysian Insider oleh Najjua Zulkefli, 25 Mac, 2014.Menteri Di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Idris Jala menyifatkan peningkatan kos sara hidup masih terkawal walaupun terdapat banyak rungutan daripada orang ramai.

Idris mengakui langkah pemotongan subsidi oleh Putrajaya mengakibatkan kesan kepada kenaikan harga barangan, bagaimanapun menegaskan ia masih terkawal ketika ini.

"Setiap langkah ada kesannya, ia langkah perlu walaupun tidak popular.

"Walaupun ia menyebabkan perdana menteri tidak popular, langkah ini diperlukan," katanya merujuk kepada pemotongan subsidi yang dilakukan oleh Putrajaya semasa menghadiri forum anjuran Unit Pengurusan Prestasi dan Pelaksanaan (Pemandu) di Damansara, hari ini.

Populariti Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak jatuh paling rendah sejak memegang jawatan itu dengan ratingnya jatuh daripada 62% pada Ogos lalu ke 52% pada Disember tahun lalu, menurut kaji selidik yang dibuat oleh Merdeka Center.

Penurunan populariti Najib ekoran kesan pemotongan subsidi yang diumumkan oleh Putrajaya.

Idris berkata, Indeks Harga Pengguna (CPI) pada kadar 3.5% bulan menunjukkan harga barangan masih lagi terkawal dan tidak seteruk yang dijangkakan.

"Kadar 3.5% CPI pada Februari adalah lebih rendah berbanding negara serantau lain.

"Walaupun terdapat banyak rungutan, bertenanglah kerana dunia belum kiamat. Ia masih terkawal, ia hanya pada kadar 3.5%," katanya yang juga pengerusi Pemandu.

CPI meningkat 3.5% kepada 109.8 pada Februari 2014 berbanding 106.1 pada bulan yang sama tahun lalu, menurut Jabatan Perangkaan.

Berbanding Januari, CPI pada Februari meningkat 0.3%.

Peningkatan 3.5% dalam CPI disebabkan kenaikan indeks semua kumpulan utama kecuali barangan dan perkhidmatan (-0.8%) dan komunikasi (-0.5%).

Peningkatan jelas di kalangan kumpulan itu adalah pengangkutan (5.4%); makanan dan minum tanpa alkohol (4.0%); perumahan, air, elektrik, gas dan bahan bakar lain (3.4%).

Putrajaya selepas berakhir Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 lalu mengambil langkah pengukuhan fiskal bagi memastikan sasaran untuk mencapai defisit fiskal dalam lingkungan 3% berbanding Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) pada 2015 dan bajet berimbang menjelang 2020.

"Kita mensasarkan menurunkan defisit kepada 3.5 % pada hujung tahun ini dan 3% pada tahun depan," katanya.

Putrajaya mengambil langkah fiskal pertama dengan memotong subsidi petrol sebanyak 20 sen pada September lalu atas alasan ia mampu menjimatkan kira-kira RM1.1 bilion belanja kerajaan tahun ini.

Kemudian, semasa pembentangan Bajet 2014 Putrajaya juga mengumumkan penghapusan subsidi gula sebanyak 34 sen di samping penstrukturan semula subsidi kepada penjana kuasa yang menyebabkan tarif elektrik bakal naik sebanyak 15%.

Selain itu, Putrajaya juga akhirnya memperkenalkan Cukai Barangan Dan Perkhidmatan (GST) yang akan berkuatkuasa pada 2015 bertujuan memperluas sumber pendapatan negara.

Malaysia mengalami defisit fiskal selama 15 tahun berturut-turut, hutang negara meningkat kepada 53.3% dalam Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) pada penghujung 2012 daripada 51.6% pada hujung 2011 dan 39.8% pada hujung 2008. - 25 Mac, 2014.

`More need to be done before GST kicks in'

Publication: NST

Date of publication: Mar 25, 2014

Section heading: Business Times

Page number: 012

KUALA LUMPUR: With only 12 months to go before the goods and services tax (GST) kicks in, it looks like a lot more needs to be done by the government and the Customs Department to effectively communicate the finer points of the new tax system to the people.

That was the sentiment of a large number of participants at the GST Seminar 2014, organised by the Malaysian Financial Planning Council and Financial Planning Association of Malaysia, in collaboration with the Customs, here, yesterday.

A large number of the 200 participants, mostly financial planners, felt that the information trickling out was insufficient for their planning purposes or for them to advise their clients.

Detailed information on the GST can only be found on the Customs website.

Currently, the Customs updates GST information on its website as and when it receives updates from the government.

At the GST seminar, familiar highlights and facts of the impending GST implementation hit the limelights again.

The deadline for businesses to register themselves with the Customs for the GST is January 1 next year, three months it is to be implemented on April 1.

(Voluntary registration is up to six months before April 1.)

A source said there may be a daily fine of RM50 imposed on threshold-qualifying businesses that fail to register themselves with the Customs once the GST comes into effect.

The per annum income threshold under this scheme is RM500,000 and the GST rate is six per cent.

Under the GST, all supplies fall within four categories: standard rated, zero rated, exempt or out-of-scope.

Customs senior assistant director 1 Rohana Ahmad explained several details at the GST seminar - such as the threshold amount of businesses could change with the disposal of business assets (except capital assets, e.g. sale of building will not count).

She also highlighted that the GST is more transparent and members of the public will know exactly what can be taxed and what cannot as everything is listed in detail on the department's website.

She also said input tax and output tax do not have to match.

"The moment you register, you can claim input tax," she said.

All businesses must be registered with the Customs in order to claim tax, including business that are below the RM500,000 threshold, but wish to make business claims of input tax because of the fact that they are part of a supply chain.

At the moment, no finalised list of standard rated, zero rated, or exempt items/services exist, which explained why several participants at the GST seminar complained about the confusion among businesses and the public with regard to the GST.

GST: 255 produk masih dikaji

KUALA LUMPUR 24 Mac - Kerajaan masih menjalankan kajian secara terperinci terhadap 255 produk yang mungkin dimasukkan atau dikecualikan dalam pelaksanaan sistem Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST).

Menteri Kewangan II, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah berkata, setakat ini sebanyak 689 produk telah diputuskan untuk dimasukkan ke dalam pelaksanaan GST selain beberapa produk antaranya beras, tepung, ayam dan ikan yang dikecualikan daripada cukai terbabit.

''Selain itu, terdapat 273 produk yang dahulunya dikenakan 10 peratus cukai, kini dengan GST hanya enam peratus (cukai). Sebanyak 255 produk lagi masih dalam kajian, sejauh mana dilaksanakan atau tidak," katanya ketika menggulung perbahasan usul menjunjung kasih Yang di-Pertuan Agong di Dewan Rakyat hari ini.

Kerajaan sebelum ini memutuskan pelaksanaan GST akan bermula pada 1 April 2015 pada kadar enam peratus.

Ahmad Husni memberitahu, dari segi kadar, setakat ini hanya lima negara yang mengenakan kadar lima peratus manakala tiga negara dengan kadar tujuh peratus dan selebihnya 10 peratus.

"Negara yang melaksanakan GST pada 2011 dan ke atas, semuanya mengenakan kadar 16 peratus, Gambia dengan 40 peratus. Singapura pula melaksanakan GST pada 1993 dan itu merupakan cukai baharu, bukannya menggantikan cukai sedia ada.

''Sesi penerangan mengenai GST akan kita lakukan dari semasa ke semasa agar apabila dilaksanakan nanti, rakyat sudah memahaminya," tambahnya.

Menurutnya, pelaksanaan GST bukannya dilakukan secara 'main-main' tetapi melibatkan penilaian mendalam sehingga menjangkaui sektor perumahan dan kesihatan.

Dalam perkembangan lain, beliau ketika menjawab isu kerugian syarikat penerbangan Malaysia Airlines (MAS) yang dibangkitkan oleh beberapa wakil rakyat berkata, industri penerbangan merupakan industri mencabar dengan kenaikan harga bahan bakar mampu 'merencatkan' keuntungan sesebuah syarikat.

''Bukan sahaja MAS, beberapa syarikat penerbangan seperti Thai Airways dan Korean Air juga mengalami kerugian beberapa tahun lalu. Sekarang MAS ada pajakan kapal terbang dan ini jenis lama.

''Apa yang dilakukan MAS ialah syarikat itu sedang dalam proses menggantikan kepada pesawat baharu yang mampu mengurangkan kos minyak. Saya yakin kewangan mereka akan lebih baik pada masa depan," katanya.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Parlimen/20140325/pa_04/GST:-255-produk-masih-dikaji#ixzz2wvrdEk8C

© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd

Pendaftaran GST mungkin diawalkan

KUALA LUMPUR 24 Mac - Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia (JKDM) menjangkakan pendaftaran bagi syarikat untuk tujuan perakaunan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) mungkin diawalkan bagi mengelak kesesakan dalam talian apabila dikuatkuasakan kelak.

Penolong Kanan Pengarah Kastam I, Rohana Ahmad berkata, sistem GST yang berkuat kuasa 1 April 2015 memerlukan perniagaan dengan jualan tahunan melebihi RM500,000 untuk mendaftar dan menyimpan rekod-rekod input dan output cukai dengan pihak JKDM bagi tujuan tuntutan bayaran balik GST.

"Pendaftaran dibuka enam bulan sebelum pelaksanaan GST, namun kita menjangkakan tempoh itu mungkin diawalkan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas seminar mengenai GST anjuran Majlis Perancang Kewangan Malaysia (MFPC) dan Persatuan Perancang Kewangan Malaysia (FPAM) dengan kerjasama JKDM di sini hari ini.

Yang turut hadir, Presiden Majlis Perancang Kewangan Malaysia (MFPC), Md. Adnan Zain.

Rohana berkata, pemahaman orang ramai terhadap kebaikan sistem percukaian GST kini bertambah baik dengan inisiatif yang dilakukan kerajaan bagi menjelaskan kebaikan GST.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Ekonomi/20140325/ek_04/Pendaftaran-GST-mungkin-diawalkan#ixzz2wvrLe1xp

© Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd

Bleak outlook for 2014, 2015

Posted on 24 March 2014 - 05:36am

Eva Yeong

sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: The Chinese business community's economy outlook for 2014 and 2015 is said to be pessimistic as they only expect improvements in 2016, said The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).

ACCCIM's survey on the economy for the second half of 2013 revealed that 64% of respondents felt pessimistic about the nation's economic performance this year due to poorer sales, lack of improvement in terms of collections from customers, decrease in new orders from local markets and deterioration in sales prices recorded during the second half of 2013.

The survey involved 345 respondents from the Chinese business community across all sectors including wholesale and retail, manufacturing, professional and business services, construction, real estate, finance and insurance, as well as tourism, shopping, hotels, restaurants, recreation and entertainment.

According to the survey, 60% of respondents believe that the Malaysian economy is expected to struggle going into 2015 and is only likely to perform better in 2016.

ACCCIM president Datuk Lim Kok Cheong said the pessimistic outlook is also due to a combination of several factors including the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST), subsidy rationalisation, electricity tariff hike, minimum wage policy, extension of retirement age and petrol price increase.

"All these things coming in together makes it challenging for the business community," he said.

"In year 2013, the business community was affected by several policies announced by the government such as minimum wage policy, the extension of the retirement age and petrol price increase due to fuel subsidies cut. This was followed by a rise in electricity tariffs this year and implementation of GST in the year 2015 and so on," he added.

Lim said these measures have led to an increase in cost of doing business, thus contributing to inflationary pressure on Malaysia. Businesses are also facing difficulties in managing rising costs against the inability of passing on these extra costs to consumers.

On the implementation of GST in April 2015, ACCCIM said survey respondents felt that the 6% rate is too high. Lim said 3% to 4% would be a more acceptable rate, with gradual increases to 6%.

Survey respondents also want more time to understand the GST system with 49% of respondents asking for a minimum one year learning period and 40% asking for a learning period of up to two years.

"Punitive action for the lack of compliance to GST requirements should only take place after the expiry of the learning period that is hoped to be granted to businesses," said Leong.

The association urged the government to consider the difficulties faced by businesses and provide more support in terms of business-friendly policies to help maintain competitiveness among Malaysian companies.

It suggested a reduction in the corporate tax rate, a freeze on all proposed increment in public utilities charges, constant review and gradual reduction of subsidies, prudence in controlling public expenditure and effective reduction of fiscal deficit and red tape.

"On the other hand, businesses would need to adjust their business strategy immediately for cost efficiency as well as improve strength and productivity," said Lim.

He added that businesses would also need to explore the international market and expand sales network in order to be more competitive.

Firms eligible for GST must register by 1 Jan 2015 to avoid penalty

First Published: 6:22pm, Mar 24, 2014

Last Updated: 6:22pm, Mar 24, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR (March 24): Companies that qualify to register for the goods and services tax (GST) will be charged a penalty, if they fail to register with the Royal Customs Department by Jan 1, 2015, at the latest.

Companies earning more than RM500,000 profit in the 11 months before the date of registration, or are expected to hit the amount in 11 months, are mandated to register with the department, to avoid paying a penalty.

The Royal Malaysia Customs senior assistant director (I) Rohana Ahmad, said the penalty was to ensure that all companies complied with the guidelines for the GST, which would come into force on April 1, next year.

"We are still in the early stage of determining the type of fines to be imposed on companies that failed to register," she told reporters, after a GST seminar organised by the Malaysian Financial Planning Council and the Financial Planning Association Malaysia, in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Customs.

Rohana said that the duty-free islands — Langkawi, Tioman and Labuan — remained exempted from the GST.

She said goods and services transactions among the three duty-free islands, are also not subjected to GST, but the transactions of goods and services from the islands to the rest of Malaysia, would be charged GST.

"Transactions from other parts of Malaysia to and from the islands, will also be levied GST," she said.

However, overseas goods and services to and from the duty-free islands, are not subjected to GST, she said.

Some 200 participants attended the one-day seminar, themed GST: Its Impact on Financial Planners. - BERNAMA

Read more: http://www.fz.com/content/firms-eligible-gst-must-register-1-jan-2015-avoid-penalty#ixzz2wvmT0L3o

Online Registration System For Businesses For GST Implementation Now Ready

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- The online registration system for businesses in respect of the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) is now ready, says Royal Malaysian Customs, Senior Assistant Director of Customs 1, Rohana Ahmad.

She said the registration would be open from January 2015, three months before implementation of the GST tax on April 1.

This is to avoid congestion and smoothen implementation of the GST which replace the sales and Services Tax (SST).

Later at the GST Seminar 2014 held here Monday, Rohana said dissemination of information to financial planners is crucial for the success of the GST's implementation.

"The government is sensitive to the needs of the people and has embarked on educating the masses on the GST before its implementation," Rohana added.

Organised by the Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) and Financial Planning Association of Malaysia, the one-day seminar featured speakers from the Customs department, and saw 200 participants.

MFPC president Md Adnan Zain said the knowledge of financial planners in respect of the GST, had improved due to efforts taken to familiarise themselves with it.

"Apart from helping clients gain a better understanding of the GST, we can also help them plan their finances better as a result," he told reporters at the seminar.

He said the financial planners in this way can help ease the burden of the Customs Department towards educating businesses on the GST.

-- BERNAMA

Government Yet To Determine Imposition Of GST On 255 Products

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- The government is still undertaking a study on 255 products to determine if all should be subject to or exempted from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be implemented in April next year.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah also said the government had decided to place 689 products under the GST which will replace the Sales and Services Tax(SST).

"A further 273 products which were previously taxed at 10 per cent will only have six per cent levied when the GST is implemented," he added.

He said this during the winding up of the motion of thanks on the Royal address in the Dewan Rakyat here today.

Ahmad Husni said the government was always undertaking indepth studies on household income and the impact of the GST on it when implemented at the rate of six per cent instead of 16 under the SST.

On Malaysia Airlines (MAS) which had posted a loss of RM1.174 billion last year, he said the aviation industry was very challenging.

"In terms of passengers, there was a 17 per cent increase but 10 per cent drop in revenue and there is a clash here.

"This is because the main competitors, specifically Gulf Air, is offering lower fares, so MAS has to drop its own fares too," he added.

Husni said the petrol price hike also demolished revenue and apart from MAS, Thai Airways and Korean Airlines too faced losses.

"MAS purchases fuel using US dollars and the strengthening of the greenback is forcing us to pay more.

"MAS is in the process of replacing its fleet and that is expected to reduce costs between 20 to 30 per cent in fuel usage. The airline is confident that its financial position will be better next year," he added.

-- BERNAMA

Almost 5,000 GST programmes undertaken since 2010: Najib

Posted on 24 March 2014 - 05:13pm

Last updated on 24 March 2014 - 06:10pm

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 4,967 awareness programmes and training sessions were carried out by the Finance Ministry from 2010 to February this year on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said 271,288 people, among them traders, government employees and students, attended the programmes and training sessions.

"For the traders, who comprise the critical group in the implementation of the GST, the government is carrying out briefing and training undertaken by the government, the private sector or jointly," he said in a written reply to a question from Khalid Abdul Samad (PAS-Shah Alam).

Malaysia is set to introduce the GST at 6% from April 1 next year. The GST will replace the present 16% sales and service tax.

Najib, who is also the finance minister, said RM17 million was being spent on campaigns and publicity on the GST through the mainstream and alternative media from 2012.

"A RM98-million GST computerisation system has been developed by the Royal Customs Department, RM150 million has been set aside for subsidised accounting software for small and medium enterprises and RM100 million has been reserved as training grants for traders by the Finance Ministry," he said. –Bernama

4,967 program penerangan GST sejak 2010

24 MAC : Sebanyak 4,967 program bagi mewujudkan kesedaran dan latihan mengenai pelaksanaan Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) telah dijalankan oleh Kementerian Kewangan sejak 2010 hingga Februari tahun ini.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata daripada jumlah itu, 271,288 orang termasuk golongan peniaga, jabatan kerajaan, pelajar sekolah dan pelajar institusi pengajian tinggi telah menghadiri program dan latihan itu.

”Bagi golongan peniaga yang merupakan kumpulan kritikal dalam pelaksanaan GST, kerajaan telah merangka dan sedang menjalankan program taklimat dan latihan melalui tiga kaedah iaitu sama ada dianjurkan sendiri oleh kerajaan atau pihak swasta atau secara bersama,” katanya dalam jawapan bertulis kepada soalan ahli parlimen PAS Shah Alam, Khalid Abdul Samad di Dewan Rakyat hari ini.

Khalid ingin tahu mengenai kempen dan iklan GST yang telah dijalankan setakat ini sehingga pelaksanaannya.

Mengenai kos kempen dan publisiti berkenaan GST, Najib yang juga Menteri Kewangan berkata sebanyak RM17 juta dibelanjakan melalui saluran media arus perdana dan media alternatif yang diuruskan kementeriannya bermula 2012.

“RM98 juta bagi sistem pengkomputeran GST telah siap dibangunkan oleh Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia, RM150 juta perisian perakaunan bersubsidi kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana dan RM100 juta bagi geran latihan kepada peniaga yang diuruskan oleh Kementerian Kewangan,” katanya.– bnbbc.my

Rakyat Diyakini Terima Baik Perlaksanaan GST

March 22, 2014 

PARIT – Rakyat keseluruhannya diyakini menerima baik pelaksanaan sistem cukai barang dan perkhidmatan (GST) selepas pelbagai program penerangan mengenai keperluan sistem itu diadakan di seluruh negara, kata Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Penerangan Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman.

Beliau berkata setakat ini kerajaan mendapati rakyat memberi reaksi cukup baik kerana penerangan mengenai GST pada kadar 6 peratus berbanding cukai jualan dan perkhidmatan sebanyak 16 peratus ketika ini, disampaikan dalam cara yang mudah difahami.

“Kita ada masa lebih kurang setahun lagi sebelum ia (GST) dilaksanakan pada April 2015. Dengan rancangan yang telah kita atur sama ada di dalam dan luar bandar untuk menjelaskan keperluan GST, saya jangka apabila tiba tempoh pelaksanaannya, insyaAllah perkara (kefahaman rakyat) ini dapat kita selesaikan,” katanya kepada pemberita pada program Karnival Ke Desa dan Kembara Jalinan Kasih di Bota Kiri di sini hari ini.

Ibrahim berkata Jabatan Penerangan merupakan agensi dipertanggunjawab menyalurkan maklumat kerajaan, dis amping itu pegawai penerangan di seluruh negara dilatih supaya dapat memberi penjelasan terperinci mengenai GST kepada rakyat.

“Kita menyenaraikan barangan atau perkhidmatan yang dikenakan GST secara terperinci semasa memberi penjelasan kepada masyarakat luar bandar agar mereka mudah memahami sistem tersebut.

“Barangkali mereka sebelum ini tidak dimaklumkan bahawa 160 negara telah pun melaksanakan GST dan kesemua negara ini telah maju ke hadapan. Jadi sudah sampai masanya Malaysia juga melaksanakan sistem percukaian yang lebih baik lagi bagi memastikan kesejahteraaan negara dapat kita lalui bersama,” katanya.

Ibrahim berkata peniaga juga digalakkan mengambil bahagian dalam program penerangan itu agar mereka dapat melaksanakan GST dengan lebih baik.

Mengenai karnival selama dua hari itu, beliau berkata ia diadakan bagi merapatkan hubungan kakitangan jabatan dengan masyarakat luar bandar.

Antara aktiviti dijalankan adalah bacaan yasin, berzikir dan solat hajat selain mengunjungi rumah penduduk yang tinggal dalam serba kekurangan, katanya.

Pada majlis itu beliau turut menyampaikan dua buah van termasuk sebuah van jenazah untuk kegunaan qariah Masjid Ar Rahman Ekor Bota, Bota Kiri. – BERNAMA