KUCHING, Oct 3: The state government will leave the reintroduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to Putrajaya.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that in the first place, it was the current federal government who replaced it with the present Sales and Service Tax (SST), and this “U-turn” seems confusing.
“It is up to KL (Putrajaya). They took it (away) once, then now (considering) back, I have no idea,” he told reporters after closing the Mosque and Surau Integrity Seminar here this afternoon.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad earlier today during a function in Putrajaya said the federal government will study the need to reintroduce GST.
“If people believe it is better, we will study it. We will study if it (GST) is better than SST, ” he said.
Dr Mahathir also said that the study would not be carried out that soon, or at least not during or immediately after the National Budget 2020 announcement.
Meanwhile, when asked if Petronas has paid the 5 per cent State Sales Tax, Abang Johari said he will reveal it at a later date.
The deadline for Petronas to pay the said tax to Sarawak was on Sept 30, however the national oil company has not paid a single sen to date.
A number of state lawmakers have released statements urging the state government to take the matter to court.
Abang Johari recently also revealed that he has a secret formula to ensure the state would earn revenue from Petronas, which he would reveal at a later date as well. — DayakDaily
