MOTION TO ABOLISH GST ON MONDAY
Scrapping of Anti-Fake News Act, Sosma in the pipeline
THE government plans to table a motion to abolish the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday. The bill for the implementation of the Sales and Services Tax (SST), which would replace the GST, was expected to be tabled next week.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong confirmed this in Parliament here yesterday.
“Of course, we have to do it in this session as the Sales and Services Tax comes into effect on Sept 1.”
Asked about plans to repeal the controversial Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) that allows for detention without trial, Liew said the Act was under the Home Ministry’s purview.
“Sosma is under the ministry, so it has to come up with a memorandum for its abolishment. It will be quite easy as it doesn’t involve cost from the Treasury, unlike (the repeal of) the Anti-Fake News Act.”
Asked whether the Anti-Fake News Act would be repealed and if there was any difficulty in doing so, Liew said the matter was in the pipeline as it was part of Pakatan Harapan’s election pledge.
“As I’ve said before, I have prepared the memorandum and it will be submitted to the cabinet for approval. I don’t think it will meet any resistance,” he said.
Earlier, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said the government would abolish such laws, but could not commit on the time frame.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said the government would repeal laws that were oppressive, especially Sosma.