No GST under Pakatan Harapan, says Guan Eng

Malaysians will not need to work two jobs nor will they be burdened by the goods and services tax (GST) under a Pakatan Harapan federal government, says Lim Guan Eng.

The DAP secretary-general said should the opposition coalition take over the country's administration, its economic policy would abolish the consumption tax and still afford to dole out cash handouts in the form of BR1M.

He said this could be seen from the way the DAP-led Penang state government recorded annual budget surpluses, historic low debts and higher cash reserves without imposing any GST.

“Malaysians can still afford to receive BR1M payouts without GST by running a clean government and conducting open competitive tenders,” Lim said in his New Year message.

Lim said International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan rightly pointed out out that Malaysians would require two jobs to cope with the rise in cost of living, due to the flawed economy ran by the ruling-Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

 

  

The implementation of the consumption tax in April coupled with financial scandals of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the unexplained RM2.6 billion “donation” impact the nation. He cited, among others, the high federal government debt and depreciation of the ringgit.

Lim said household incomes were also shrinking and the country recorded the second highest personal household debt in Asia at 87% of GDP.

"Ahmad is effectively conceding that BN has failed to manage the economy well," he said.

Lim, however, criticised Ahmad for saying his posts as deputy minister, Pontian MP and Umno information chief qualified as three jobs, as it reflected arrogance and lack of touch with the people's suffering.

"Unlike the public, Ahmad is highly paid, some say overpaid, for doing three jobs. He would be adequately paid for doing any one of the three jobs he has."

He added that although he was mentioned by Ahmad to be in a similar situation with three positions as Bagan MP, Air Puteh assemblyman and DAP secretary-general, he considered himself as having only one job: to serve the people. – January 1, 2016.

Source::: The Malaysian Insider, dated 01/01/2016.