KUALA LUMPUR: Rafizi Ramli has condemned the decision to impose GST on the supply of treated water to apartments, places of worship and welfare homes, claiming it targets the poor and less fortunate.
In a statement, the PKR vice-president, also slammed Putrajaya for implementing the tax without any prior notice and labelled such actions as “over the top”.
“This is unacceptable. The government must abolish it and if my plea falls on deaf ears, I will organise a gathering to protest this move.” Rafizi was responding to a circular, which was said to have been issued by the Sabah water department on Sept 13, that stated the six per cent tax would be implemented in such establishments effective Sept 1.
The Pandan MP also demanded Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also the Finance Minister, to verify the circular. The government implemented GST effective April 1, 2015 at a fixed rate of six per cent to replace the previous sales and service tax.
Back then, Putrajaya argued that the controversial tax – which sparked off anti-GST rallies – was vital to enhance Malaysia’s revenue base and make the nation more business friendly. Najib had also previously said that the tax would not burden the people.
