By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Oct 3: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang calls on Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders to apologise to the people for demoralising the introduction of goods and services tax (GST), which was abolished last year.
He said PH leaders like Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng should apologise for making unfair statements to misinform the public.
“They did it until the rakyat were really confused and harboured hatred towards the former government that was introducing it.
“To be fair and with due respect, I urge PH leaders, including Tun Mahathir and Finance Minister to be statesman-like and apologise. They only have to look back at their own videos, some of which were even videos of parliamentary debates where GST was so demonised.
“Yet, now, Tun Mahathir said he did not mind bringing back GST. If that is the case, it means GST is not as devilish as they have claimed, and thus the PH leaders should apologise,” Idris told DayakDaily.
Idris, who is Muara Tuang assemblyman, claimed that since the abolishment of GST, the federal government has lost billions of ringgit in revenue, which otherwise would help stabilise the economy and prevent unnecessary consequential hardships to the rakyat.
Today, Dr Mahathir said the government was willing to study calls to re-introduce the GST if this was what the people wanted.
“If people believe it is better, we will study it. We will study if it (GST) is better than SST (the sales and service tax),” Dr Mahathir was reported saying after launching the Security and Public Order Policy today.
Removing GST was one of PH’s manifesto and signature campaign promises during 14th general election (GE14).
GST was abolished by PH after taking over the federal government on May 9, 2018. The Pakatan government introduced SST on Sept 1, 2018, to replace GST. — DayakDaily
