STOP HIDING BEHIND GOD, AHMAD MASLAN: 'I only fear Allah, not GST debates'

KUALA LUMPUR — Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan insisted today that he is not afraid to debate the Goods and Services Tax (GST) with opposition politicians, stating that he only fears his God.

Ahmad said he had to be cautious of invitations to debate GST as many of his past remarks on the consumption tax had been “spinned” and misunderstood.

“I am not afraid of debating with them. I only fear Allah,” the Umno leader was quoted telling news portal Astro Awani.

“I have already answered them in parliament but when we are at their stage, they will spin everything I say,” he also said.

Ahmad was reportedly commenting on two invitations to debate GST in Rompin and Permatang Pauh - where by-election campaigns are underway - by PAS leader Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and PKR leader Rafizi Ramli respectively.

Ahmad said that his life has also been affected by the GST despite his ministerial post, but said he has the duty to continue informing the public of the benefits of the new scheme that last month replaced the Sales and Services Tax.

Explaining a remark last month which he came under heavy fire for, Ahmad claimed he was misquoted, stating: “I said a thousand things, but what they had spinned was: Ahmad Maslan tells UiTM students to cook.

“What I had said was, it is cheaper to cook our own meals because the basic food items are GST exempted. I did not say, UiTM students, please cook your own meals, even in hostels. I did not say that,” he added.

Shabery Cheek

On Tuesday, Astro Awani reported that several high ranking Umno leaders had allegedly told Ahmad to refrain from speaking about GST as the federal opposition were manipulating his statements and using them as ammunition for their anti-GST campaign for the Permatang Pauh by-election.

Citing an unnamed Umno source, the news portal said that a gag order had been issued to Ahmad as it would otherwise “leave a negative impact on the party”.

But Ahmad denied a day later that he was instructed by Umno leaders not to speak on the contentious GST amid the two ongoing by-election campaigns, insisting he will not stop talking about the topic if it is broached.

Previously, Ahmad was also reported saying that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad suggested that the government abolish the new tax system because he did not understand how GST works.

He had also this week accused traders who did not lower prices appropriately after the GST replaced the Sales and Service Tax of being pro-opposition, and urged a boycott against them. - Malay Mail