After Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin’s remark that the government plans to impose an extra charge on online purchases above RM200, his ministry clarified that no such proposal has been discussed.
In a one-sentence statement issued today, the ministry said:
“Referring to the statement made on Sept 8, 2020 in Kelantan, the Communications and Multimedia Ministry wishes to clarify there has yet to be discussion to impose service charges on e-commerce platform users amounting to 20 sen for purchases below RM1,000, and an additional 20 sen for every subsequent RM1,000.”
Yesterday, several media outlets quoted Zahidi saying that the government plans to levy the fee to raise a special fund to assist B40 income earners, such as by improving communications infrastructure in rural areas.
This entails charging 20 sen for purchases between RM200 and RM1,000 on online shopping platforms such as Lazada and Shopee, and an additional 20 sen charge for every subsequent RM1,000 in transactions.
“We are discussing the plan to be tabled to the government so as to find alternative resources which will not burden the people, and we also want to give the best services to them,” he was quoted as saying.
The statement has drawn brickbats from politicians on both sides of the political divide, including Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa who vowed to oppose such a proposal if it is ever tabled in the cabinet. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.