PM Anwar: GST not suitable now, would burden the poor
LUMUT — The government is not ready to reintroduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as it would affect all segments of society, particularly the poor, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said GST is a broad-based tax that would be applied uniformly to all consumers, regardless of income, including fishermen, smallholders, or street cleaners.
'GST taxes everybody. While it is efficient and straightforward, just six per cent across the board, I must ask, if everyone has to pay six per cent, why should the poor and the unemployed be taxed as well?' he said when closing the Perak MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 here today.
Anwar said that although the opposition has suggested GST as a better option, the government has chosen to postpone its implementation to avoid burdening the people, who are still struggling with the rising cost of living.
'That's why we say we're not ready for GST. If, one day, the economy improves and the minimum wage reaches RM4,000 or more, then by all means, implement GST. But for now, I'm calling for it to be postponed, don't turn it into a political issue,' he said. –BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
PGRS AGM First Before Any Decision On Sabah Assembly Dissolution, Says Hajiji
TUARAN, June 15 (Bernama) -- Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the date for the dissolution of the Sabah state assembly may be announced only after the annual meeting of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) at the end of July, potentially paving the way for the 17th state election. However, Hajiji, who is also the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition chairman and PGRS president, said the exact date for the dissolution has not been fixed, despite speculations suggesting it may occur in late July or early August. 'Not yet... we will hold the (PGRS) AGM first at the end of July,' he told reporters after officiating the Sulaman PGRS division annual conference here today. bootstrap slideshow The current five-year term of the 16th Sabah state assembly will expire automatically on Nov 11. Hajiji said the ruling coalition is ready to face any party in the state election, and any decision to work with other parties will be made by the GRS Supreme Council. Hajiji also said that this year's PGRS AGM will be significant, as it will be held just ahead of the anticipated state election. bootstrap slideshow 'My reminder and advice to members is to stay united. Close ranks and strengthen the party machinery in preparation for the upcoming election,' he said. In his opening speech earlier, Hajiji reminded PGRS and GRS leaders and members to learn from the current political situation and to counter opposition misinformation spread on social media. 'We must be smart in distinguishing between slander and lies, and what the government has truly accomplished. Never be swayed by the opposition's falsehoods.
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Iran Ready To End Attacks If Israel Halts Assault
TEHRAN, June 15 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Iran is ready to halt its attacks on Israel if Tel Aviv ends its assault on Tehran, Anadolu Ajansi reported. Speaking to foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Araghchi emphasised that the war was 'imposed' on Tehran and that Iran was left with no choice but to respond. 'Our defence is fully legitimate and will be carried out with strength, solely in response to aggression,' he said.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Seoul to expand unmanned late-night cab service to all of Gangnam district
This photo, provided by the Seoul metropolitan government, shows an unmanned late-night cab operated by the city government. - Photo: Yonhap SEOUL: (Bernama-Yonhap) The Seoul city government said on Sunday (June 15) it will expand the late-night operation of unmanned taxis to include all of Seoul's Gangnam district starting this week, Yonhap News Agency reported. The autonomous late-night cab service, which was launched as part of a pilot programme in September, will begin providing services near Apgujeong, Sinsa, Nonhyeon and Cheongdam subway stations from Monday, according to the city. Currently, the cabs are available in Gangnam's Yeoksam-dong, Daechi-dong, Dogok-dong and Samseong-dong. The initiative, the first of its kind to be introduced by the city, currently operates three cabs from 11 pm to 5 am on weekdays. Users can summon the cabs like a regular taxi through the Kakao T app, with up to three people allowed to board at a time. The service had been free of charge during the pilot programme. The city said it had serviced a total of 4,200 rides since its first operation on Sept 26, equivalent to an average 24 rides per day. Citing a successful pilot programme with zero accidents in Seoul's Gangnam district, renowned for its complex roads, the city said it could open a path for self-driving cars to become a safe and convenient mode of transportation. - Bernama-Yonhap
