In one accord: Ahmad Zahid (centre) posing for a picture with party leaders and delegation members after officiating the Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party’s 17th Annual General Assembly. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
BUTTERWORTH: Barisan Nasional will look into reintroducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after the next general election, says coalition chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said while Barisan is willing to allow the existing Sales and Service Tax (SST) to continue for now, it intends to demand the reinstatement of GST after the 16th General Election.
“GST is the most suitable and effective system for Malaysia to ensure fairness and strengthen national revenue. It enables the government to strengthen its financial position while ensuring fairness in taxation.
“GST allows the public to feel that the tax system is fair,” he said at the Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party annual general assembly.
Ahmad Zahid, who is Deputy Prime Minister, said more than 155 countries have implemented GST.
“Currently, Malaysia is one of only eight countries still using SST. We implemented GST before, but later reverted to SST,” he said.
GST was abolished in Malaysia on Sept 1, 2018, when it was officially replaced by the reintroduced SST.
On another matter, Ahmad Zahid said Barisan is prepared to undertake rebranding or form a new entity in line with the current political landscape.
He said the matter will be deliberated by the coalition’s supreme council as its Constitution, drafted 51 years ago, requires that any amendment must have the unanimous consent of all component parties. He added that due to constraints in Barisan’s Constitution, the inclusion of Friends of Barisan Nasional parties, also known as the coalition’s affiliate members, as core members cannot be carried out.
“Following deliberations within the Barisan supreme council, the time has come to consider whether the coalition should undergo rebranding or move forward under a different organisational structure,” he told reporters.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, expressed his appreciation for the loyalty and patience shown by leaders of Barisan’s affiliate members as they await developments within the coalition.
At present, Barisan comprises four core component parties – Umno, MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) – while Friends of Barisan Nasional holds affiliate party status.
Also present were Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Makkal Sakti president Datuk Seri RS Thanenthiran.
