GST implementation after GE. Will such a headline in the local newspaper affect the results of General Election (GE) in Malaysia? In Malaysia, the date of GE is the prerogative of the ruling party, specifically the Prime Minister. There is talk that the 13th General Election is 'round the corner'.
The Prime Minsiter Datuk Najib has been reported to announce in a dialogue session with Forbes Media editor-in-chief Steve Forbes, .that 'the government would introduce the goods and services tax “when the time is right”, and “I guess when the time is right, in the near future, probably after the next general election, we will introduce the GST."
The ruling government has repeatedly postponed the introduction of GST, partly due to strong opposition from the opposition party. So the topic of GST will be a hot topic in every election 'ceramah' if the topic is not handled properly by the ruling party.
Repeated postponement of GST is not good for business planning. Business owners need time to plan for the implementation, if at all it is to be introduced.
It has been reported that only 1.2 million Malaysians pay income tax, out of a workforce of 12 million. With the Goods and Services Tax, more Malaysians will be contributing to the nation's development.
Source : The Star, Sep 19, 2011
