Have the courage to bring back GST, Dr Wee tells govt

IPOH: The government should have the political courage to reintroduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST), says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA president said that he believed the Sales and Service Tax (SST) was not the solution and that the hike from 6% to 8% was causing significant trouble and inflation.

"They can always start from a lower rate, maybe 4% (of GST)," he said, adding that collecting more from GST does not mean increasing the tax for everyone.

He noted that GST could reduce tax evasion because it was a better taxation system compared to others and even the government acknowledged that GST was more efficient.

Dr Wee made these remarks to reporters after launching the Perak MCA annual convention at the Ipoh Red Crescent Hall on Saturday (Aug 10).

He highlighted that certain policies needed improvements.

"As a political party, we should commend the government when it makes the right decision," he said.

"However, when there are policies that we think need improvement, we must voice out."

He added that the party provides constructive ideas to improve policies and, if necessary, to make prompt decisions to help the nation.

Dr Wee praised the government's decision on visa-free travel for tourists from China and India as a move that would boost the economy by stimulating the tourism sector.

He also commended the recent announcement by the Home Ministry on addressing issues related to the MyKid card for Malaysian children living abroad.

Dr Wee said he helped a delegation from the Malaysian Association of America resolve the issue by arranging a meeting with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution.

“He (Saifuddin) resolved it, and I must say that is a job well done. Policies that help Malaysians deserve 100% support," he said.

“But when there are policies that need improvement, such as the debate on SST and GST, we need to voice that out as well,” he added.