Will people be happier with SST? Guan Eng looks to the heavens

PARLIAMENT | Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng looked to the heavens for an answer when questioned if the SST would make Malaysians happier.

The DAP lawmaker told the Dewan Negara that he cannot provide an assurance on this.

"In relation to ensuring the happiness of the people... We can plan but only God can determine (the outcome),” he added in his winding-up speech of the Sales Tax Bill 2018.

Lim argued that the SST is meant to reduce the burden imposed on the people by the GST, which was implemented by the previous administration.

He reiterated that SST, which would be implemented on Sept 1, would have an effect on consumers, but this would be lesser than during the GST era.

Lim was responding to BN senator Ibrahim Shah who asked if the government could assure that people would be happier with the implementation of SST.

Earlier, the minister said nations with weaknesses in the implementation of GST, particularly in dealing with GST refunds, have witnessed their governments defeated in the elections, except Singapore.

He added that Singapore first set its GST rate at three percent. 

Earlier, BN senator Wong Chong Swen said the government should not have exempted luxurious and food items such as jewellery, abalone and Norwegian lobster.

In his winding-up speech, Lim said the government will lift the luxurious items out of the exemption list. -Mkini