KUCHING: The government’s plan to reintroduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has generally received a positive response from the people.
However, members of the public have urged for consideration to be given to the timing and effect of its implementation as well as for careful planning and monitoring to be carried out.
Recently, former Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim welcomed the government’s planned move to reintroduce GST.
He proposed for the new GST to be lowered from the previous six percent to three or four percent, explaining that a GST at this proposed new rate could give as much if not more revenue than the previous six percent by limiting the exemption list to the bare minimum.
New Sarawak Tribune interviewed members of the public for their thoughts on the planned reintroduction of GST.
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SPANSKI STEVEN (Malaysian Youth Parliament member)
GST should be reintroduced because it is a good and transparent tax system. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) income increased with GST before it was abolished. This GST system is also fair for the less fortunate whereby it will be imposed on business tycoons. However, the implementation of the GST system must be monitored from all corners.
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NICHOLAS JEFFERY (Administrative Officer)
I actually prefer GST to be reintroduced but redundant taxes have to be abolished. Most countries already have GST implemented in their own way but Malaysia must have a transparent way to make the taxes imposed on its citizens impactful and with visible improvements to quality of life. Hopefully, with thorough planning and proper execution, the revenue generated from this will be able to uplift and change the mindset of citizens that Malaysia is nothing more than a welfare state to something that every citizen can be proud to contribute towards and enjoy the benefits.
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HELEN LING (Auditor)
GST can be reintroduced as it will benefit the government, the people and the economy as a whole in the long term. However, the timing of the reintroduction of GST must be considered. As many businesses have taken quite a hit from the Covid-19 pandemic this year, the reintroduction might receive an adverse reaction from the public.
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NURHADIATUL SUKINAH JAMALI (Assistant Communications Manager)
Reintroducing GST will require a team of people to plan and study its effect on the people because if GST is implemented, it will affect the prices of goods and in turn this will burden the people. Should GST be reintroduced, I think it should be implemented after the Covid-19 pandemic is over, so that people can plan ahead.
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SHAH AHMED FAROUQ (Journalist)
I agree with the reintroduction of GST – most countries implement this and it will fund the government back, therefore supporting the nation’s development. I think the rate of three to four percent is fine since it is lower than the previous rate, so it won’t negatively impact our people.
