Tiong asks Ling if PH gives priority to people’s welfare

SIBU: Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has questioned Sibu MP Oscar Ling whether the latter had really meant it when he said the Pakatan Harapan ( PH) government was giving priority to the welfare of the people.

According to Tiong, Ling in a statement had said the people are now taxed – from toothpaste to underwear; in fact, all their daily needs would be taxed.

So, Tiong asked whether taxing the people on soft drinks, mineral water, school shoes and others was what he ( Ling) meant by ‘giving priority to the welfare of the people’.

He said the PH government had accused the previous government under Barisan Nasional ( BN) of abusing the welfare of the people, and that when PH came to power, they would return the benefits and welfare back to the people.

“Does this include the 20 per cent oil royalty that they ( PH) have promised? I hope Ling would answer on this welfare that the PH had been boasting about during the general election.”

He said Ling had said that Goods and Services Tax ( GST) covered everyone, while Sales and Services Tax (SST) promoted by PH would target only certain sectors like the manufacturers, importers and service providers.

“Won’t the tax on the manufacturers, importers and service providers end up on us - the consumers?” Tiong, who is also Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, questioned.

The Bintulu MP admitted that when the previous BN government implemented the six-per cent GST, the people had suffered, and this had caused their anger to flare.

He said he had spoken against this in Parliament and had called upon the government to open their ears to the people to come up with a system that would be fair and acceptable to all.

He questioned Ling whether he had spoken out in the Parliament or called upon the government to lower the tax.

“Ling did nothing. He did not even support my proposal. Yet, he is now supporting the ‘10 + six per cent sales tax’ of the present government.”

Tiong said the people were disappointed over the SST proposed by the present government.

He said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and DAP MP Tony Pua had proposed sugar tax on soft drinks, giving the excuse that the poor people would not be affected because they did not drink the sugary drink.

“Will Ling support argument?” Tiong asked.

He said tax implementation by the new government on food, household daily items, drinks, stationeries, laundry items and black and white school shoes would definitely burden all.

“This burdensome day befalling on us - in September.”

Tiong said the abolition of GST had created a financial shortfall for the current government, which Tony Pua had confirmed, so the current government is finding a way out.

“What the PH government has done is just fooling the people (during the general election). Their claimed abolition of GST was just one of the election goodies. After giving out the goodies, they are now finding alternative ways to squeeze something out of the people.”

Tiong said Ling must now answer to the people, whether what they are doing is beneficial to the people or destroying them.

“The people have enjoyed tax holiday for three months after the abolition of GST. Coming now are taxes (affecting items) from toothpaste to underwear. This will destroy the people, not benefitting them.”

He said Ling should stop misleading the people, especially the young people.

“Don’t resort to the cheating game and playing with the feelings of the people over and over again.” this is