Gov't will raise GST to 10 percent if BN wins big in S'wak, warns DAP

The government will increase the goods and services tax (GST) to at least 10 percent if the BN wins big in the Sarawak state election, claimed Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen. .

He said this was due to the fall in crude oil prices and the subsequent loss of government revenue.

"The coming Sarawak election will be a test of the peoples' acceptance of the GST; it will be the time for Sarawakians to oppose the GST through their votes.

"A BN victory will be seen as endorsement of GST and if BN wins big, it is likely the GST will be increase to at least 10 percent," Chong told a press conference at the DAP headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Chief Minister Adenan Satem has today announced that the state legislative assembly will be dissolved on April 11 to pave the way for state-wide election.

Asked why the government will increase GST to 10 percent, Chong said this was based on the figures calculated from the drop in oil prices and government revenue.

"When the six percent GST was implemented, the international oil prices were around US$100 per barrel. But now the oil price has dropped below US$40 per barrel.

"So to cover the loss of government revenue and due to the fall in oil price, we estimated the government needs to increase GST to make up for the loss," he said.

He urged Sarawakians to stop BN from further increasing the GST rate even though they cannot stop its implementation.

He also called on the voters to reject BN in the coming state election as a mark of protest against the GST.

'Tolak GST, Tolak BN' video

In conjunction with the first anniversary of the GST tomorrow, DAP Sarawak launched an eight-minute video to protest its implementation, which it said has brought about untold sufferings especially among the rural poor.

The video with the title "Tolak GST, Tolak BN" is accessible through Youtube.

Meanwhile, DAP Sarawak's second music video "Tak Nak BN" can also be viewed now.

Meanwhile, DAP Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong said the election in Sarawak will be crucial as the party hopes to make some breakthrough.

"If Adenan do not win big, I think the federal government will have to rethink about GST and see whether they still want Najib as their head of government.

"We are not seeking to change the Sarawak government but we are hoping for a breakthrough," he said.

Asked about opposition's seat allocations, Chong said it will be resolved soon.

He said the opposition hopes to win five to ten more seats in the state. -Mkini