Ahmad Maslan offers free consultation on GST

KUALA LUMPUR: Former deputy finance minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has offered to be a consultant to the government on matters related to Goods and Service Tax (GST).

He said that if the Pakatan Harapan government ever decided to implement GST, he was willing to be the man to explain the benefits of the tax regime to the people.

“I will be the happiest person if GST is implemented again. Any suggestions made especially by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) must be studied by the government.

“What was wrong with Sales and Services Tax (SST) was that it is an 'ancient' tax that breeds hidden or black economy which cost the country RM30 billion.

“In 2017, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry has announced price reduction over 223 items due to GST, so I would like to propose to the government that I can be their consultant for free to explain to the people the benefits of GST,” he told the reporters at the Parliament lobby here, today.

Meanwhile, the Pontian Member of Parliament said it was unrealistic for GST to be reduced to three per cent as suggested by some quarters because the result would be the same as SST.

“If GST is reduced to 3 per cent, it will be too low and it can affect the government’s income. Instead, the government can consider lowering it to 5 per cent.

“(After all) The income collected from GST can be used for the people’s welfare.” he said.

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