State farmers body all prepared for GST
SIBU: The Sarawak Farmers Organisation ( SFO) is ready to face the Goods and Services Tax (GST) come its implementation in only a few days.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture ( Farmers Organisation) Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran said a total of 28 Area Farmers Organisations (AFOs) under the SFO had registered for the new tax.
“Overall, these AFOs recorded RM69 million in turnover and RM4.7 million in profits last year.
“Out of the 28, 14 are registering more than RM500,000 in annual turnover,” he told a press conference yesterday after officiating at a GST course organised by SFO – which he is chairman – and state Agriculture Department here.
The two- day programme is conducted by a GST expert from Singapore, Dr Robin Chia and houses participants comprising 119 board members, general managers and treasurers of the 28 AFOs.
Nevertheless, Entri admitted that going forward, the GST could impact both topline and bottomline growths of these AFOs.
“More importantly is for you (AFOs) to also explain about GST to your members in the rural areas, given your close connection with them.
Overall, these AFOs recorded RM69 million in turnover and RM4.7 million in profits last year.
Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Farmers Organisation)
“This is to avoid misunderstanding and allay the fears of the rural folk with regard to the new taxation system,” he advised.
According to Entri, most of the things that people hear about GST nowadays are being politicised.
“It is very easy for someone who knows GST – especially one with the intention of gaining more political mileage – to inf luence others who do not,” he noted.
SFO general manager Senawi Ismail was also present at the function.