State DAP wants GST postponed or modified

KUCHING: The State Democratic Action Party ( DAP) is calling for the implementation of the goods and services tax ( GST) to be postponed or for the registration threshold to be increased.

DAP Socialist Youth ( DAPSY) Sarawak chief Wong King Wei said Malaysia is still not prepared for the implementation of GST as many pertinent issues such as software have yet to be settled.

He added that many people, including small and medium enterprise (SME) owners, are still in the dark over GST.

“DAP is calling that the implementation of GST be postponed or the threshold be increased to RM2.5 million like Singapore ... many people are neither here nor there about the GST,” the Padungan assemblyman told a press conference yesterday.

Businesses with an RM500,000 annual turnover or more are required to register for GST, which is to be implemented from April 1.

According to Wong, many SMEs will be forced to close when GST comes into effect if the threshold remains at RM500,000.

He claimed to have received complaints from SMEs adding that SMEs contributed significantly to the country’s economy.

Wong said he has accompanied traders to meet with Customs Department personnel.

“A lot of them are still concerned and confused on the actual technical issues about GST,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said DAP Kuching and its Women’s wing will hold the forum ‘ Money Not Enough’, which will deliberate on economic issues in the state at Kingwood Inn on Sunday ( March 29) at 7.30pm.

Speakers include state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, DAP Kuching Women's chief Violet Yong, DAPSY national secretary for international affairs Wong Kah Woh and DAPSY national chief Teo Kok Seong.