DAP chief wants voters to express views on GST

KUCHING: The DAP is doubling down on the anti-GST sentiment for the coming Sarawak election, and is highlighting that the tax bill was approved by all state Barisan Nasional MPs.

The opposition party has printed thousands of pamphlets written in Malay, English and Chinese, featuring the faces of all the Barisan MPs who voted for the tax, which came into effect last April 1.

“Without the support of the 25 Sarawak Barisan MPs, the government would only have had 109 out 222 MPs in Parliament. The GST bill could never be passed,” Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen told a press conference here yesterday.

The Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman said MPs from all four state Barisan component parties – PBB, PRS, SPDP and SUPP – supported the bill.

“On average, each Sarawakian paid RM330 in GST in the past year, while at the same time absorbing higher cost of living.”

Chong said the state polls would be the first since GST came into effect, and would be a litmus test for the tax.

“This is the best opportunity for Sarawakians to express their views on the GST. The implication of a big victory for Barisan will be seen as an endorsement for GST.

“Moreover given the fact the GST was introduced when oil prices were high – and has since dropped – it is entirely possible the 6% rate could be increased.”

The opposition strongman added that higher cost of living was felt by all, from urban to rural communities, including businesses.

On a related matter, Chong pooh-poohed Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s apparent “procrastination” of getting the Federal Government to agree to a higher oil royalty rate.

Chong claimed Adenan himself would not be campaigning on the 5% to 20% rate increase request. He also lamented that MPs from Sarawak Barisan had not highlighted the matter in the recent Parliament session.