Dr Akmal urges Anwar to reintroduce GST as a better revenue strategy

Sinar Daily:


Dr Akmal urges Anwar to reintroduce GST as a better revenue strategy

He made the proposal following Prime Minister's announcement of an electricity tariff hike for businesses, warning that its ripple effect would ultimately impact consumers.

By FARAH SHAZWANI ALI

05 Feb 2025 10:04am

Dr Akmal


SHAH ALAM - Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has suggested that the government reinstate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a more effective and fairer way to boost national revenue.

He made the proposal following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of an electricity tariff hike for businesses, warning that its ripple effect would ultimately impact consumers.


“Perhaps PMX (Anwar) is more knowledgeable about the domino effect when a tariff hike is imposed on factories, as consumers usually bear the consequences through rising product prices,” Dr Akmal said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

He argued that reinstating GST would be a more effective solution and even proposed renaming it if the term was contentious.


“I suggest that PMX reintroduce GST, which has proven to be more effective. If the term GST is an issue, we can call it something else.

“What matters is that it helps increase national revenue and supports the people,” he added.


Previously, Anwar assured industry players that any electricity tariff adjustments in the second half of the year would not burden businesses.

He also emphasised that lower-income households would remain unaffected by the upcoming review.

Currently, the government subsidises electricity for over 85 per cent of households.

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kt comments:

In Najib's days, PKR in its attempt to use 'GST' to smear Najib's name, had painted itself into a 'no-GST' corner. It's still too proud to admit that GST was a superior taxation system.