People need not worry about reintroduction of SST – Christina
TAWAU: The people need not worry about the sales and services tax (SST) when it is reintroduced in September this year as the government is studying it seriously.
Deputy Chief Minister cum Tourism, Cultures and Environment Minister, Christina Liew said though nothing was confirmed yet, the government would be doing some thing good on the policy to be implemented that would be under strict scrutiny that would be good for the country.
She also hoped with the reintroduction of SST, prices will reduce as it means savings for the people especially for Sabah as Sabahans’ salaries are low compared to Semenanjung.
“If prices are not reduced, it will be difficult for low income people,” she said when interviewed yesterday after launching the Hari Raya Puasa Festival Season Price Control Scheme at Giant Hypermarket.
Christina said the new government had a lot of hard work ahead and needed to work hard and fast to keep its election promises to the people.
“We urge the people to give the new government sometime. The federal and state government are doing their best, but it takes sometime. You are talking about 30 days versus 61 years of mismanagement. Give us time, be patient, we will be doing it,” she said.
On the Sabah cabotage, she said the state government was still studying on it, adding it was discussed before change of government.
“There are ‘two schools’ of thought. One says it will definitely help reduce transportation cost to Sabah and one says different. The government will have to look at it in total and study the pros and cons,” she said.
Personally for Christina, she said she preferred cabotage to be scrapped as whether like it or not it definitely would increase the price of goods coming into Sabah.
“But whatever policy we come out with in future, will be for the benefit of the state and people at large. Not for the shipping, companies and private operators,” she said,
On the Hari Raya price control scheme, Christina said she was happy and satisfied to see the low prices for 22 essential goods and Muslims would be able to celebrate Hari Raya especially with the zero GST.
“This is the first Hari Raya that we celebrate after the new government takes over and I know there will be more good news for the people of Sabah.”
Christina said she was sure the public would be satisfied with the reduced prices in all the places selling the controlled items as protection to the consumers.