Perkasa warns of BN’s defeat over GST and low wages

Ibrahim Ali tells Putrajaya to raise the minimum wage and to control prices.

KUALA LUMPUR: Perkasa has warned Barisan Nasional that it risks being kicked out of Putrajaya if it doesn’t raise the minimum wage and ensure that the GST does not burden wage earners.

At a press conference today, Perkasa President Ibrahim Ali suggested that the minimum monthly wage be raised from RM900 to RM1,200, saying it would lessen the impact of price increases that would come with the introduction of the GST.

“RM900 per month is too little to live on,” he said. “With the current minimum wage, I doubt that Malaysia can achieve developed nation status in five years’ time.”

He pointed out that the BR1M aid works out to only RM50 per month and said that was not enough even for a meal for two people.

Ibrahim said the government must take measures to control prices and solve other problems that might arise with the implementation of the GST.

“Can prices be controlled and will there be no problems after GST?” he asked. “If the government fails to address the problems within three years, then it will probably lose in the next general election.”

He said Pakatan Rakyat would take advantage of the situation. “PR can easily use an ‘Abolish GST’ manifesto if the government fails to address the problems that will arise,” he said.