Tiong: GST should lower, not raise prices of imported vehicles

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Tiong (centre) and LSESB managing director Lu Kui Tiong unveil the plaque. Also seen is Iwamoto.

KUCHING: Importers in the country should not to take advantage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to hike up prices.

This appeal came from the prime minister’s Special Envoy to East Asia (Japan, South Korea and Taiwan) Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who said the prices for imported vehicles should go down following implementation of GST.

He said now with GST, the car import tax as well as prices for spare parts had been reduced, but he feared some importers would not want to reduce prices.

“GST is cheaper but the problem is some may take this opportunity to add another six per cent. This is when the people start blaming the government.

“It’s not fair to the government. So I appeal to all traders and importers not to take advantage of GST. Be fair to the people and to the government,” he said when opening the newly upgraded Hino 3S (Sales, Service and Spare parts) Centre – Lu and Sons Engineering Sdn Bhd (LSESB) in Stakan Light Industrial Estate here yesterday.

Tiong, who is Bintulu MP, also called on LSESB to launch more corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes to reach out to the poor community in the state.

On the new 3S centre, he believed the corporation would be able to offer a complete range of commercial vehicles and buses in the city.

“I am happy to see Hino offer customers products of quality, durability and reliability (QDR).”

Earlier, Hino Motors Sales Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Ken Iwamoto said Hino aimed to not only develop products to suit all businesses but also provide after sales service to minimise vehicle downtime and operating cost.

“Through this effort, we believe Hino can contribute to our customer’s business, Malaysia’s economy and the people.”

Iwamoto said Hino Malaysia had set up Hino Total Support Customer Centre next to its assembly plant in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan as of February this year.

“The facility provides Safe Eco-cien Driver Training and Driver Familiarisation Training to support sustainable growth of our customers’ businesses.”

General manager of LSESB, Lu Soon Jing said the company was first appointed Hino dealer in 1984 with a service and parts centre set up in Bintulu.

In 1997, the centre was upgraded to 3S to meet increasing demand, with its operation extended to Kuching.

“In 2010, we appointed a dealer in Sibu and in 2013, we expanded our operation to Miri to provide better customer service coverage in Sarawak.”

The new 3S centre located at Lot 3719, Block 24, MTLD 26, Lorong Stakan Light Industrial, Stakan Light Industrial Estate comprises a spacious new office, a grand showroom, an administration office, and a workshop for repair and maintenance work.

A team of 12 skilled Hino technicians, who can serve up to 30 Hino trucks or buses per day, is stationed at the centre.