KUCHING: Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah has grown tired of the Pakatan Harapan-led federal government’s moves.
This is in response to the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent announcement that a study will be conducted to reintroduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
“If we review their (PH) manifesto during the 14th General Election (GE14), there are many things that they promised to introduce, suspend and abolish.
“They were the ones who replaced GST with the Sales and Services Tax (SST). Now, they want to reintroduce it. What’s next?
“It seems like when they came up with the manifesto, it was given little attention,” she said to reporters at a press conference held in Baitulmakmur building here yesterday.
She added, “To us, something as important as that must be taken seriously. The manifesto is what makes the rakyat (people) put their trust in you. You won (GE14) because of that.
“Now, you want to reintroduce it. So we’ll just sit back and watch. Do whatever you want.”
Fatimah, however, hoped that the people would be able to make a fair judgment of the matter.
On the promises made by PH on reducing the price of goods, abolishing the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) and GST, she pointed out that the nation’s economic debt was not even decreasing but gradually increasing.
“What are the efforts taken to ensure that what they promised are fulfilled?
“Tell us what are the steps taken aside from selling our assets under the Pilgrims Fund Board or Lembaga Tabung
Haji (TH)? Because it doesn’t seem to reduce the government’s economic debt or price of goods.
“Do something because people believe in what you promised in your manifesto. Now, it’s all U-turns,” she continued.
When asked on the 2020 Budget, she replied “I’m relying more on the state Budget. Putus asa dah (I give up).”
