PAS warns 'Saya Suka Travel' govt of price hikes following SST expansion
In a series of Facebook posts, he pointed out that the issue was not about the percentage of the hike but rather how the tax expansion would eventually raise prices of the end product.
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The Star
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Borneo Post
4 hours ago
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Expanded SST may burden rural students with price hikes on books, stationery, says SUPP man
Lau (seated, third left) takes a group photo with his mobile team. — Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (July 5): The federal government should look into concerns of possible price hikes on books and stationery following the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST), said Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan chairman Kevin Lau. He said many rural students were still dependent on textbooks and exercise books, and that this issue had been raised by the Sibu Stationery and Book Sellers Association. 'I came across a news article this morning about the extension of SST to include stationery and paper, and there is a worry that the increase in paper prices would impact items like books and exercise books. I believe the Finance Ministry (MOF) and federal government should address this concern raised by the association. 'As you know, in Sarawak, we have many students in rural areas that still depend on exercise books and textbooks. If this SST expansion becomes a burden for them, we hope that the MOF will find a solution and consider the education sector, which includes schools. 'As we all strive to earn a living, we recognise the significance of education for our children. We sincerely hope that this does not add extra pressure on parents and students, allowing them to continue their education without any hindrance,' he told The Borneo Post when met at SUPP Bawang Assan branch's mobile service here today. Lau said the association's concerns were legitimate and should be addressed and given special attention by MOF and the federal government. When asked if the sector should be left out of the expanded SST, he replied: 'I believe the federal government should think about exempting them but they need to examine the mechanism because it's more complex than that.' Lau said based on what he had read, the SST is applied to the pulp, which serves as the primary component in paper production. 'So, if that happens then it applies across the board. Therefore, I'm not sure how they are able to implement it in their mechanism. 'So again that requires a very detailed study by their side and of course, if it can be exempted particularly for the students and education sector, I think it's for the best. That's what we want for the students,' said Lau. According to Oriental Daily, based on the government's gazette, the scope of the expanded SST includes wood pulp raw materials, various types of paper stationery, printed materials, stamps, and postcards. Among the detailed list of goods subject to the expanded SST were various types of pulp used to produce paper, such as mechanical pulp, chemical pulp, and recycled pulp. It reported that this meant various types of paper and stationery products fell under the expanded SST list, including newsprint, notepads, exercise books, account books, folders, receipt books, diaries, and other common stationery. It was also reported that the selling prices for these products would likely be reviewed due to the increasing costs. Meanwhile, on the mobile service, Lau mentioned that it has been ongoing regularly in a bid to connect with the people. 'Being here offers us a valuable chance to engage not just with the public, but also with the business community.'
