THE State Government has agreed to the implementation of the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) at seven per cent if all potential implications are taken into account seriously.
Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Ramlee Marahaban said this in reply to a question from Likas assemblyman Junz Wong at the State Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday.
Wong had asked if the State Government agreed to the proposed GST which would be implemented this year.
“The Federal Government announced recently that the proposed GST would not be implemented in the near future as the government is still studying the implications and also whether it is appropriate to impose seven per cent.
“The government also has explained that discussions are still being conducted with relevant parties, including the private sector and members of the public.
“I believe the proposed GST is not only seen as an additional income but will also add value to the well-being of the people in a holistic manner,” said Ramlee.
He added that the State Government had expressed a number of opinions in several forums related to the GST.
Ramlee said the State Government had written responses and proposals to the tax review panel unit under the Finance Ministry to ensure that it is in the best interest of the people.
The Bugaya assemblyman also said the State Government was confident that the Federal Government would be taking into account all aspects of the proposed GST before implementing it.
“The Federal Government has been organizing a series of roadshows from time to time to give more education on GST, while the State Government will work closely with the tax review panel unit and to organize briefing to explain about GST.
“I believe this kind of approach will be continued according to the needs, before GST is implemented,” he added.