Dr M: Govt may introduce new taxes but won't burden rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is looking to improve the current taxation system to ensure better efficiency, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister, however, stressed that any new taxes introduced would not be burdensome to the rakyat.

"In the past, the tax system that was implemented was not done properly and therefore many escaped from having to pay taxes.

"This will be improved upon. For example, the income tax system will be refined.

"We may also have to introduce new taxes, but it must not be a burden to the people," said Dr Mahathir at a press conference after the launch of the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 here on Saturday (Oct 5).

The Prime Minister, however, did not elaborate or say if the "new taxes" would see the reintroduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

He made the remarks in response to a reporter's question on how the government planned to gauge the people's opinion on the possibility of reviving the GST.

Earlier in the week, Dr Mahathir had said that the government would study if the people wanted the GST back.

This was following a statement by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) that the GST should be reintroduced but at a lower rate of 3% instead of 6%.

Such a move would be seen as controversial, considering that the abolishment of the GST was one of Pakatan Harapan's main 14th General Election pledges.