CUT CORRUPTION, STEM WASTAGE! Easy to rally but what's the alternative - Najib slams Opposition for criticising GST

KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has hit out at the opposition for criticising the Goods and Services Tax (GST) without providing an alternative policy to raise the country's revenue.

The opposition, he said, should put forward their own plans if they did not agree with the government's policies.

"It is easy for them to hold mass rallies opposing the GST, and calling for the public to overthrow the government, when they themselves have not shown how they plan to tackle national issues.

"Such behaviour does not reflect a thinking society," he said, referring to Thursday's protests against the GST, which saw 15,000 people gathering in the city.

Najib was speaking at the launch of the Malaysian Senators' Council (MSM) at the Parliament Building tonight.

He said over 160 countries in the world had also implemented the GST, which proved its effectiveness.

"Even if we lack understanding of what the GST entails, that fact should put our fears to rest - 160 countries can't be wrong," he said.

Najib also called on the country's senators to continue raising the quality of debates in the Dewan Negara.

He said senate debates had improved greatly in recent days, with the Dewan Negara creating history last Wednesday when the sitting lasted past midnight to ensure outstanding issues were resolved.

"We want to hear more well-rounded debates from all senators, and not only on matters that represent their own interests or field of expertise.

"They must serve as a check and balance and provide different perspectives to the Dewan Rakyat," he said.

Present at the launch were Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang and MSM president Datuk Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman.

-NST