The introduction of six percent service tax on prepaid reloads and prepaid starter/SIM packs has united young politicians from both sides of the political divide to protest against the move.
After yesterday's announcement, BN and Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin was among the first to openly express his disapproval to the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
"Boss Najib, tax to prepaid users is an inappropriate decision and burden the people. I object. Request to be cancelled," said Khairy (right) in
his micro-blogging website Twitter last night.
Yesterday a joint statement issued by Malaysian telco industry announced that the purchases of prepaid reloads and prepaid starter/SIM packs for all telcos will carry a six percent service tax, effective Sept 15.
The telcos described the tax as a consumption tax and chargeable to the customer, as provided for in service tax laws.
Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), an NGO led by PKR leader Badrul Hisham Shaharin, or more popularly known as Chegubard, joined Khairy in the call against the new levy.
The duo became bitter rivals when Chegubard contested against Khairy for the Rembau parliamentary seat in the last general election, and the battle continued in Twitter in the wake of the polls.
SAMM reminded the government that most of the prepaid mobile users are from low income groups, including factory workers and students.
"Making the six percent tax compulsory shows that the government protects only the corporates and telcos which will transfer this burden to the consumers although they make profits every year,"
said a SAMM statement released yesterday.
It accused the government for 'kowtowing' to giant corporates with the purpose of enriching them without considering the problems they will cause consumers.
SAMM called on the people to reject the federal government should it continue to pursue the policies that burden them.
However, Khairy's view was not shared by his secretary-general in the youth wing Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
In his Twitter, the MP for Kota Belud saw the levy as a contribution to the nation's economy by the prepaid users.
"This time it's pre-paid users' turn to contribute to the development of the country. Previously it was the other groups.
"The six percent (tax) is not going to hit you badly if you are prudent in using your handphone. But the benefit to the nation is tremendous," he said.
After yesterday's announcement, BN and Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin was among the first to openly express his disapproval to the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
"Boss Najib, tax to prepaid users is an inappropriate decision and burden the people. I object. Request to be cancelled," said Khairy (right) in
his micro-blogging website Twitter last night.Yesterday a joint statement issued by Malaysian telco industry announced that the purchases of prepaid reloads and prepaid starter/SIM packs for all telcos will carry a six percent service tax, effective Sept 15.
The telcos described the tax as a consumption tax and chargeable to the customer, as provided for in service tax laws.
Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), an NGO led by PKR leader Badrul Hisham Shaharin, or more popularly known as Chegubard, joined Khairy in the call against the new levy.
The duo became bitter rivals when Chegubard contested against Khairy for the Rembau parliamentary seat in the last general election, and the battle continued in Twitter in the wake of the polls.
SAMM reminded the government that most of the prepaid mobile users are from low income groups, including factory workers and students.
"Making the six percent tax compulsory shows that the government protects only the corporates and telcos which will transfer this burden to the consumers although they make profits every year,"
said a SAMM statement released yesterday.It accused the government for 'kowtowing' to giant corporates with the purpose of enriching them without considering the problems they will cause consumers.
SAMM called on the people to reject the federal government should it continue to pursue the policies that burden them.
However, Khairy's view was not shared by his secretary-general in the youth wing Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
In his Twitter, the MP for Kota Belud saw the levy as a contribution to the nation's economy by the prepaid users.
"This time it's pre-paid users' turn to contribute to the development of the country. Previously it was the other groups.
"The six percent (tax) is not going to hit you badly if you are prudent in using your handphone. But the benefit to the nation is tremendous," he said.
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