By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Oct 4: The Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions president, Datuk Richard Wee, has urged the federal government to revert back to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) but with lower tax quantum.
However, he made clear that no one in any country would like to pay tax.
“We have to pay tax. Since that is the case, we need to find the best tax system that is fairest to citizens of a country,” he told DayakDaily.
Comparing GST and SST (Sales and services Tax), Wee believed GST is a more efficient and a better structured tax system.
“It is more efficient and progressive tax system where no one can evade tax and thus does not allow leakages. SST, on the other hand, is a old system that was discarded by many countries in the world, where they replaced it with GST,” he said.
He suggested that SST be replaced by GST but with a lower quantum of three per cent.
“I agree for SST to be replaced by GST and instead of charging six per cent as before, reduce to three per cent or even lower quantum to reduce people’s burden,” said Wee.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government was wiling to study calls to re-introduce the GST if this was what the people wanted.
Removing GST was one of PH’s manifesto and signature campaign promises during the 14th general election (GE14). It was abolished by Pakatan on June 2018, after taking over the federal government on May 9.
On Sept 1, 2018, the PH-led government introduced SST to replace GST. — DayakDaily
