SHAH ALAM – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak cynically asks Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli why the reintroduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was not announced before.
In a short Facebook post on Monday, along with a news article on the GST reintroduction, Najib wrote, 'Kenapa awak tak cakap dari mula?' (Why didn't mention this from the beginning?) As of 5.20 pm today, the post had garnered 5,000 likes and 1,200 comments.
His comments came following announcements by Pandan MP earlier that the government does not dismiss the possibility of reintroducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that was previously abolished.
He elaborated that the government would prioritise strategies to expand the country's revenue sources, including a focus on developing the capital gains tax, scheduled to be implemented in 2024.
Adding further, Rafizi added that whether it will be GST, capital gains tax, or any form of direct or indirect tax, we will only decide on a case-by-case or year-to-year basis.
"Any announcements regarding tax introduction will be made by the finance minister through the budget presentation," he said during a press conference in the parliament lobby on Monday.
Last March, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that Malaysia was not ready to reintroduce GST as the average Malaysian's income was still considered relatively low.