MIRI: When the Sales and Service Tax (SST) was implemented on Sept 1, many were anxious to see how it could lessen the people’s burden, and how different daily life would be post-GST.
On Sept 12, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that 75 per cent of shops and restaurants would not be subjected to the new tax that replaces GST, following the increase of annual turnover threshold for the SST to RM1.5 million, from RM500,000.
Erniza
Muneera Said, 32, said Lim’s announcement was well received, but was hoping that no eateries would take advantage of the matter.
“Enforcement officers must be strict. There is always the possibility that some restaurants or shops that are tax-exempted might take advantage to increase prices.
“I hope the public will be made aware of the name of shops and restaurants that are subjected to the new tax and which ones are tax-exempted,” she said when contacted yesterday.
Businesswoman Erniza Norudin also applauded the announcement, and hoped it would motivate the tax-exempted shops and restaurants to improve their services.
“This is a good move, and apart from lessening the burden of the people, it will also encourage Malaysians to support the local food industry.
Muneera
“It is hoped that through this announcement, local restaurateurs or retailers who are tax-exempted will increase the quality of their services and products,” she said.
Thirteen days have passed, and so far SST has resulted in (among others) lower prices of at least five brands of cars, namely Perodua, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and BMW. There is also exemption on some basic necessities including prepaid reload cards.
Lim announced that only restaurants with income surpassing RM1.5 million a year are subject to the 6 per cent service tax on consumers.