So, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will not be implemented yet in the near term, at least not until some issues are being tackled, said the new Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah. Amongst others, the Government is taking a holistic view of the GST implementation, and will address issues such as :
1. studying the GST implications and rate to be
imposed
2. engaging with politicians, the private sector
and the general public before arriving at a decision
3. relooking
the earlier study by taking a holistic view of it
4. see the GST from the point of prosperity of the people (not just the point of view of the Government's revenue generation)
5. looking at
providing some assistance to the people, in tandem with the government's
intention to reduce corporate and personal tax
In terms of the GST rate, the government is looking into it in
terms of its benefit to the government, the private sector and the
general public.
In other words, a review is being made on the GST implementation, and no timeline is set yet for
the implementation of the GST.
More time is needed to study the GST implementation
Source :
Bernama report titled "Government Will Not Implement GST In The Near Term"
Dated : May 30, 2013
Showing posts with label Political Will. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Political Will. Show all posts
May 18, 2013
Malaysia GST - money spinner for the government
Now that the 13th Malaysian General Election (GE) is finally over on May 5, 2013, talks are resurfacing about the implementation of GST in Malaysia.
Recently the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Idris Jala, spoke at the forum "GE13 - What it means for business?" and mentioned that with the introduction of the GST, a new taxation mechanism for Malaysian, it "can guarantee additional revenue of RM20 billion to RM27 billion, at maturity." The term 'at maturity' refers to the period when "every Malaysians starts to contribute towards the GST ".
Just to put things in perspective, the Malaysian Government debt for year 2012 stands at RM 543 billion, which is equivalent to 53% of the Gross Domestic Product GDP. With the introduction of GST, the Malaysian Government will be able to reduce the debt level, and also provide extra funds for the government to spend on the well-being of Malaysians
Source : The article above is extracted from a report entitled GST Implementation To Add Up To RM27 Billion To Malaysia's Income, which is published here (May 17, 2013)
Recently the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Idris Jala, spoke at the forum "GE13 - What it means for business?" and mentioned that with the introduction of the GST, a new taxation mechanism for Malaysian, it "can guarantee additional revenue of RM20 billion to RM27 billion, at maturity." The term 'at maturity' refers to the period when "every Malaysians starts to contribute towards the GST ".
Just to put things in perspective, the Malaysian Government debt for year 2012 stands at RM 543 billion, which is equivalent to 53% of the Gross Domestic Product GDP. With the introduction of GST, the Malaysian Government will be able to reduce the debt level, and also provide extra funds for the government to spend on the well-being of Malaysians
Source : The article above is extracted from a report entitled GST Implementation To Add Up To RM27 Billion To Malaysia's Income, which is published here (May 17, 2013)
Sep 12, 2012
When will GST be introduced in Malaysia?
When will GST be introduced in Malaysia? There was speculation that the GST will be tabled for second reading in the Parliament session in Sep 2012. However, the Deputy Finance Minister announced today the GST will not be imposed in 2012 because the Malaysian government is focusing on creating awareness on the new taxation mechanism among the people.
"It's not likely to be tabled in the next Parliament session as the awareness campaigns will not have concluded by then," said the Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai **
Just to recap, the first reading of the GST Bill was tabled in Dec 2009. The second reading which was originally scheduled for March 2010 has been postponed until now. GST was supposed to be implemented in middle of 2011 to replace the sales and services tax.
Every important person in the Finance Ministry has mentioned that "we want everybody to understand it first" before GST is being impleemnted.
However, in my opinion, after 3 years, there is still lack of 'awareness' program being held. Apparently 122,000 companies will be affected by the GST implementation. Has the government gone to these companies (or their associations) to get them prepared?
So, another year has passed by since the hoohah on GST announcement
"It's not likely to be tabled in the next Parliament session as the awareness campaigns will not have concluded by then," said the Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai **
Just to recap, the first reading of the GST Bill was tabled in Dec 2009. The second reading which was originally scheduled for March 2010 has been postponed until now. GST was supposed to be implemented in middle of 2011 to replace the sales and services tax.
Every important person in the Finance Ministry has mentioned that "we want everybody to understand it first" before GST is being impleemnted.
However, in my opinion, after 3 years, there is still lack of 'awareness' program being held. Apparently 122,000 companies will be affected by the GST implementation. Has the government gone to these companies (or their associations) to get them prepared?
So, another year has passed by since the hoohah on GST announcement
Nov 3, 2011
GST Update : GST implementation after GE?
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
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
Oct 13, 2010
Latest news : GST in Malaysia is postponed, again
The Ministry of Finance Malaysia announced its latest news on October 13, 2010 that the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been postponed. The press release is short and sweet - contains only 3 paragraphs.
The postponement of GST implementation is the second time that I know of. The first time was announced in year 2006 (the GST was then supposed to be implemented on Jan 1, 2007).
There is no indication when the GST will be revived. This announcement is just 2 days short of the tabling of the 2011 Budget on October 15, 2010.
The only idication that the GST may be brought back in the (immediate) future is the 2nd paragraph that says :
"This (the postponement) is to enable the government to engage inclusively with all segments of rakyat pertaining to the GST. The Government will take into account the interest and welfare of the society to ensure the implementation of GST is well received."
The 3rd paragraph reads:
"Notwithstanding the postponement, the Government recognises the importance of GST in ensuring a strong and sustainable fiscal position to support the long term economic growth"
The GST was scheduled to be implemented in middle of 2011.
My one sen worth
Most countries take 4-5 years to prepare for GST implementation. Malaysia could have taken the time from the first postponement in 2006 to undertake such a study. Hopefully, this time Malaysia will take the time from today to conduct the required studies, so that when (and if) the GST is announced again, there will not be any flip-flop decisions.
Read the press release in its original form here
The postponement of GST implementation is the second time that I know of. The first time was announced in year 2006 (the GST was then supposed to be implemented on Jan 1, 2007).
There is no indication when the GST will be revived. This announcement is just 2 days short of the tabling of the 2011 Budget on October 15, 2010.
The only idication that the GST may be brought back in the (immediate) future is the 2nd paragraph that says :
"This (the postponement) is to enable the government to engage inclusively with all segments of rakyat pertaining to the GST. The Government will take into account the interest and welfare of the society to ensure the implementation of GST is well received."
The 3rd paragraph reads:
"Notwithstanding the postponement, the Government recognises the importance of GST in ensuring a strong and sustainable fiscal position to support the long term economic growth"
The GST was scheduled to be implemented in middle of 2011.
My one sen worth
Most countries take 4-5 years to prepare for GST implementation. Malaysia could have taken the time from the first postponement in 2006 to undertake such a study. Hopefully, this time Malaysia will take the time from today to conduct the required studies, so that when (and if) the GST is announced again, there will not be any flip-flop decisions.
Read the press release in its original form here
Jul 18, 2010
Are Malaysians ready for GST in 2011? No.
Are Malaysians, in general, ready for the Goods & Services Tax (or otherwise known as GST) in 2011?
No, according to the ACCCIM - Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia.
The ACCCIM 2010 SME's Survey sent out a questionnaire to 2000 SME's but only 1250 returned their questionnaire paper.
Out of these, 33% said their business were not prepared for the GST implementation due to a lack of information from the government.
About 80% of the respondents said their computer systems were not ready to cater to the GST system.
What can we infer from the findings?
1. The Malaysian Government must strenghten its efforts to educate the public so that they will have a positive view of the GST
2. The government should draw up a clear timetable and give the public sufficient time to prepare for GST implementation
3. The Government should consider giving out incentives to encourage companies to switch to GST systems. Note: The Singapore government gave out a rebate of SGD 5,000 for companies that bought new software and hardware systems that are GST compliant.
4. In the meantime, all companies concerned should take the initiative to source for new computer systems that can track the GST payable, and GST collectible, so that they will not lose out when the GST is introduced.
My one sen worth
The ACCCIM said that 2012 is the right time to introduce GST as 24 months time frame is necessary to get the public to be ready for GST. However, it is like setting a moving target. Come 2012, the companies will also not be ready. The GST idea has been mooted since 2005, and was supposed to be introduced on Jan 1, 2007. And still, people are not ready.
I think the government should bite the bullet, and take the strong commitment to explain the exact workings of GST, and how it will affect the consumers. Do not skirt around the issue, and say that it will be good for the country's economy. Explain that only a handful of Malaysians pay tax, and that is not enough to maintain the country's development. Also, be transparent, and explain exactly which projects are going to be funded by tax collected, and so we can make the Government accountable .
Read the articles in Bernama, and the Star
Read the actual report REPORT OF ACCCIM 2010 SMEs SURVEY as published on the ACCCIM website
No, according to the ACCCIM - Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia.
The ACCCIM 2010 SME's Survey sent out a questionnaire to 2000 SME's but only 1250 returned their questionnaire paper.
Out of these, 33% said their business were not prepared for the GST implementation due to a lack of information from the government.
About 80% of the respondents said their computer systems were not ready to cater to the GST system.
What can we infer from the findings?
1. The Malaysian Government must strenghten its efforts to educate the public so that they will have a positive view of the GST
2. The government should draw up a clear timetable and give the public sufficient time to prepare for GST implementation
3. The Government should consider giving out incentives to encourage companies to switch to GST systems. Note: The Singapore government gave out a rebate of SGD 5,000 for companies that bought new software and hardware systems that are GST compliant.
4. In the meantime, all companies concerned should take the initiative to source for new computer systems that can track the GST payable, and GST collectible, so that they will not lose out when the GST is introduced.
My one sen worth
The ACCCIM said that 2012 is the right time to introduce GST as 24 months time frame is necessary to get the public to be ready for GST. However, it is like setting a moving target. Come 2012, the companies will also not be ready. The GST idea has been mooted since 2005, and was supposed to be introduced on Jan 1, 2007. And still, people are not ready.
I think the government should bite the bullet, and take the strong commitment to explain the exact workings of GST, and how it will affect the consumers. Do not skirt around the issue, and say that it will be good for the country's economy. Explain that only a handful of Malaysians pay tax, and that is not enough to maintain the country's development. Also, be transparent, and explain exactly which projects are going to be funded by tax collected, and so we can make the Government accountable .
Read the articles in Bernama, and the Star
Read the actual report REPORT OF ACCCIM 2010 SMEs SURVEY as published on the ACCCIM website
Jun 12, 2010
Legalising sports betting can help delay Malaysia's GST implementation
What does sports betting have to do with the implementation of GST in Malaysia?
The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), have suggested that the tax revenue to be collected from the legal sports betting (estimated at Rm 1 bil to Rm 3bil annually) can be used to fund public expenditures, and thus delay the implementation of GST in Malaysia. Read media report : Betting revenue can help delay GST implementation
In order to understand why such a the statement was issued, we need to understand the current sentiments on economic issues.
1. The GST has not received acceptance by Malaysian in general. The Government is forced to put on hold the implementation of GST. Partly because the Government has not done enough publicity to explain its necessity and the people resort to street protests
2. In early May, the media carried reports that the Goverment may legalise sports betting. Many people object to legalising sports betting, and have resorted to public demonstrations to express their disapproval. The objections came from religious bodies, and NGO's, and also from political bodies.
3. Around the same time, another news, this time on the country's economic status surfaced which gloomly mentioned that Malaysia will be bankrupt by 2019 if it does not cut subsidies and rein in borrowings. The statement risk bankruptcy by 2019. was quoted by the Minister in the prime Minister's Deaprtment. So we were given the impression that the country really needs funding to clear its borrowings
4. So in order to help clear disputes on the sports betting, ACCCIM issued a statement that rationalises that the tax to be collected from sports betting could be used as additional funds to reduce the country's borrowings, and hence delay GST implementation.
The statement could be an attempt by interested parties to garner support for sports betting to be made legal in Malaysia, using the unfavourable GST as an excuse.
The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), have suggested that the tax revenue to be collected from the legal sports betting (estimated at Rm 1 bil to Rm 3bil annually) can be used to fund public expenditures, and thus delay the implementation of GST in Malaysia. Read media report : Betting revenue can help delay GST implementation
In order to understand why such a the statement was issued, we need to understand the current sentiments on economic issues.
1. The GST has not received acceptance by Malaysian in general. The Government is forced to put on hold the implementation of GST. Partly because the Government has not done enough publicity to explain its necessity and the people resort to street protests
2. In early May, the media carried reports that the Goverment may legalise sports betting. Many people object to legalising sports betting, and have resorted to public demonstrations to express their disapproval. The objections came from religious bodies, and NGO's, and also from political bodies.
3. Around the same time, another news, this time on the country's economic status surfaced which gloomly mentioned that Malaysia will be bankrupt by 2019 if it does not cut subsidies and rein in borrowings. The statement risk bankruptcy by 2019. was quoted by the Minister in the prime Minister's Deaprtment. So we were given the impression that the country really needs funding to clear its borrowings
4. So in order to help clear disputes on the sports betting, ACCCIM issued a statement that rationalises that the tax to be collected from sports betting could be used as additional funds to reduce the country's borrowings, and hence delay GST implementation.
The statement could be an attempt by interested parties to garner support for sports betting to be made legal in Malaysia, using the unfavourable GST as an excuse.
May 7, 2010
GST will only be introduced after Anti Profiteering Bill is passed
The Malaysian Government will now first table the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Bill in the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament) before it re-tables the GST bill. The Anti-Profiteering Bill is expected to be tabled in June 2010.
The Anti-Profiteering Bill will prevent indiscriminate price increases following the implementation of GST. Once the law is in place, it will allow the authorities to take action against unscrupulous traders who takes advantage of the situation to raise prices and use GST as an excuse.
The Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Awang Adek Hussin made the announcement in the Dewan Negara (Senate) on 5 May 2010.
He stressed that there was no need for the public to worry about increase in prices of goods as most of the essential goods would be exempted from GST.
There are about 40 items that will be exempted from GST, including agriculture produce (like padi and fresh vegetables) basic food items (like rice, sugar, salt, flour, cooking oil), livestock (like cow, buffalo, pig, goat, chicken, duck), eggs (including salted eggs), fish, prawn, cockles and squid (including the dried and salted ones). There would be a cap on the amounts that are exempted.
Services with zero GST will include electricity supply for the first 200 unit every month for domestic consumers, the first 35 cubic metres in water supply every month for domestic consumers, goods and services meant for export and international services. Suppliers of zero rated GST items and services are allowed to claim the GST paid on inputs in the production of that item, like overheads and raw material costs.
The Minister also said that only business companies with sales of more than RM500,000 a year would be subjected to GST. This means 78 per cent or 433,558 business entities will be exempted from the GST system.
The GST rate will be capped at 4%.
With the introduction of GST, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will reduce by 0.1%. The sectors that are currently taxed under the Sales and Services tax (SST) will see a reduction in CPI that varies from 0.08% to 2.71%
Services - 0.08%
Restaurants & Hotels - 1.2%
Communications - 1.86%
Transportation - 0.94%
Shoes & Clothes - 2.71%
Housing, Water, Electricity, gas, Fuel energy - 1.57%
Alcohol & Tobacco - 0.73%
My one sen worth :
Does it mean that shoes and clothes will become cheaper? The SST for shoes and clothes is around 10% - 20% now. With GST the tax is capped at 4%. So cheaper shoes? Lets see.
The Government is trying not to rely solely on revenues from Income Tax and petroleum forever. The Goods and Services Tax is a new source of revenue, and is based on consumption rather than income. GST would seem a fairer way to collect tax as it is based on the buying ability of the citizens.
The only reservation, is how the extra tax collected under GST (budgeted to be $1 billion per year) is going to be used to benefit Malaysians in general.
Extracted from Bernama and theSun
The Anti-Profiteering Bill will prevent indiscriminate price increases following the implementation of GST. Once the law is in place, it will allow the authorities to take action against unscrupulous traders who takes advantage of the situation to raise prices and use GST as an excuse.
The Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Awang Adek Hussin made the announcement in the Dewan Negara (Senate) on 5 May 2010.
He stressed that there was no need for the public to worry about increase in prices of goods as most of the essential goods would be exempted from GST.
There are about 40 items that will be exempted from GST, including agriculture produce (like padi and fresh vegetables) basic food items (like rice, sugar, salt, flour, cooking oil), livestock (like cow, buffalo, pig, goat, chicken, duck), eggs (including salted eggs), fish, prawn, cockles and squid (including the dried and salted ones). There would be a cap on the amounts that are exempted.
Services with zero GST will include electricity supply for the first 200 unit every month for domestic consumers, the first 35 cubic metres in water supply every month for domestic consumers, goods and services meant for export and international services. Suppliers of zero rated GST items and services are allowed to claim the GST paid on inputs in the production of that item, like overheads and raw material costs.
The Minister also said that only business companies with sales of more than RM500,000 a year would be subjected to GST. This means 78 per cent or 433,558 business entities will be exempted from the GST system.
The GST rate will be capped at 4%.
With the introduction of GST, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will reduce by 0.1%. The sectors that are currently taxed under the Sales and Services tax (SST) will see a reduction in CPI that varies from 0.08% to 2.71%
Services - 0.08%
Restaurants & Hotels - 1.2%
Communications - 1.86%
Transportation - 0.94%
Shoes & Clothes - 2.71%
Housing, Water, Electricity, gas, Fuel energy - 1.57%
Alcohol & Tobacco - 0.73%
My one sen worth :
Does it mean that shoes and clothes will become cheaper? The SST for shoes and clothes is around 10% - 20% now. With GST the tax is capped at 4%. So cheaper shoes? Lets see.
The Government is trying not to rely solely on revenues from Income Tax and petroleum forever. The Goods and Services Tax is a new source of revenue, and is based on consumption rather than income. GST would seem a fairer way to collect tax as it is based on the buying ability of the citizens.
The only reservation, is how the extra tax collected under GST (budgeted to be $1 billion per year) is going to be used to benefit Malaysians in general.
Extracted from Bernama and theSun
May 3, 2010
GST will not burden the people
The government said that the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) will NOT burden the people. Controlled items would not be taxed when GST was implemented. The government had no plans to hike the price of goods or services as a lot of factors had to be considered before making such decisions.
Assurance given by : Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Assurance given by : Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
May 2, 2010
GST is a fair tax
According to the Malaysian Deputy Minister of Finance, Datuk Chor Chee Heung, GST is a consumer-based tax, and will be charged on the people only when goods were bought and services provided. When we buy, only then there is tax, if there is no purchase, there's no tax
The long-term objective of the GST was to reduce income tax collected from the people.
The current service tax will be abolished.
Chor said the government was conducting various form of studies and was developing a GST computerised system to ensure transparency and efficient GST implementation in the long term.
Nearly 90 per cent of the countries in the world have implemented the GST. We have adopted the model practised in Singapore, Australia and Canada to make comparison.
Read more here
My 1 sen worth : looks like the government is not very ready to implement GST come end 2011, unless the study mentioned can be completed by mid 2011 (which is just 12 months away).
The long-term objective of the GST was to reduce income tax collected from the people.
The current service tax will be abolished.
Chor said the government was conducting various form of studies and was developing a GST computerised system to ensure transparency and efficient GST implementation in the long term.
Nearly 90 per cent of the countries in the world have implemented the GST. We have adopted the model practised in Singapore, Australia and Canada to make comparison.
Read more here
My 1 sen worth : looks like the government is not very ready to implement GST come end 2011, unless the study mentioned can be completed by mid 2011 (which is just 12 months away).
May 1, 2010
May Day GST protest
May 1, 2010 : Malaysian Police disperse labour day GST protest
According to a report from Bernama (Malaysian National News Agency), the Police dispersed a group of 500 people who gathered at Dataran Merdeka here to protest against the proposal to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The group began gathering out side the Bar Council office at Lebuh Pasar Besar since morning before marching towards Dataran Merdeka while another group attempted to enter the compound of parliament house at 11am. Police however ordered both groups to disperse as they were gathering without a permit
According to a report from Bernama (Malaysian National News Agency), the Police dispersed a group of 500 people who gathered at Dataran Merdeka here to protest against the proposal to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The group began gathering out side the Bar Council office at Lebuh Pasar Besar since morning before marching towards Dataran Merdeka while another group attempted to enter the compound of parliament house at 11am. Police however ordered both groups to disperse as they were gathering without a permit
Apr 13, 2010
Will the civil servants get a pay rise when GST is implemented?
The Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib bin Tun Razak said that the salary of 1.2 million ciivl servants can be adjusted upwards when the GST is implemented.
He said that the implementation of GST will strengthen the government's revenue base, which could be used to work out better deals for the people.
The Prime Minister was quoted as saying; ***
"That is why GST is important. People want higher wages but not willing to support GST. I need the support of the 1.2 million government employees. If you want to be paid better in the future, I have to strengthen the government's revenue base because otherwise, where do I get the money to pay government servants?
*** According to an interview with Prime Minister with Bernama TV on his first year as Malaysian Prime Minister on April 4, 2010
He said that the implementation of GST will strengthen the government's revenue base, which could be used to work out better deals for the people.
The Prime Minister was quoted as saying; ***
"That is why GST is important. People want higher wages but not willing to support GST. I need the support of the 1.2 million government employees. If you want to be paid better in the future, I have to strengthen the government's revenue base because otherwise, where do I get the money to pay government servants?
*** According to an interview with Prime Minister with Bernama TV on his first year as Malaysian Prime Minister on April 4, 2010
Mar 27, 2010
Government to provide public education on GST
How is the Malaysian Government going to educate the public on the Malaysian GST issue?
Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said, "the Government would embark on a programme, with help from the Information Department, to educate the public and disseminate accurate information."
He also said that "The Government will only implement the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Malaysia if the people accept it"
In addition, he said the Government wanted the people to view the GST favourably, rather than look at it as something imposed on them. The people are (will be?) given the chance to give input so that when implemented, GST will be accepted by the people and the government. In fact, I think the people should feel proud because they are being consulted. (how does one interpret this statement purportedly from the Minister?)
The public education will allay the many misconceptions about GST, and to dispel the perception that the delay in GST implementation in Malaysia to a later date, is not a lack of political will.
Background: Note :
The Malaysian government decided to postpone tabling of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill for second reading in parliament scheduled on March 17, 2010, after having tabled it for first reading in December 2009.
We hope to see more active discussion, with facts and figures, not only official statements from the Goverment.
Read the actual interviews with the Minister here and here
Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said, "the Government would embark on a programme, with help from the Information Department, to educate the public and disseminate accurate information."
He also said that "The Government will only implement the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Malaysia if the people accept it"
In addition, he said the Government wanted the people to view the GST favourably, rather than look at it as something imposed on them. The people are (will be?) given the chance to give input so that when implemented, GST will be accepted by the people and the government. In fact, I think the people should feel proud because they are being consulted. (how does one interpret this statement purportedly from the Minister?)
The public education will allay the many misconceptions about GST, and to dispel the perception that the delay in GST implementation in Malaysia to a later date, is not a lack of political will.
Background: Note :
The Malaysian government decided to postpone tabling of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill for second reading in parliament scheduled on March 17, 2010, after having tabled it for first reading in December 2009.
We hope to see more active discussion, with facts and figures, not only official statements from the Goverment.
Read the actual interviews with the Minister here and here
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