Returning GST to people

PUTRAJAYA: Both the RM27bil collected from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2015 as well as the RM39bil expected this year will be given back to the people in the form of major projects and infrastructure construction, said the Prime Mini­ster.

“With the GST, we can afford to carry out the MRT, the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah and Sarawak as well as other development plans which the people will benefit from and enjoy.

“It is from this same revenue that the Government can afford to give the special increment to public officers this year,” said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Assuring the public that the Government was responsible and had the rakyat’s interest at heart, Najib said its good intentions were however being misconstrued and politicised.

“But if you look at things rationally, you know that (GST) is a strong and stable source of revenue and contributes towards economic resilience and the well-being of the people,” he said when presenting excellent service awards to 100 Finance Ministry staff members here yesterday.

Malaysia’s economy, added Najib, managed to register growth despite global uncertainty and weak external factors because the Government had made several right decisions that helped drive it further.

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Later, at another function, Najib said the Government would continue to spend and invest more on children.

“We want them to be able to exercise good judgment, to choose well and to use this responsibly while rejecting what is harmful and not worthwhile,” he said when opening the three-day Permata International Conference 2016 themed “Children Beyond Tomorrow”.

Participants and speakers from 29 countries, including Gambia, Swaziland, Nigeria and Ghana, will examine the role of childhood in achieving sustainability in nation-building.