By-election will show if GST accepted or not

ROMPIN: The Rompin by-election results will be an indicator on whether Malaysians have accepted the Goods and Services Tax (GST), said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek.
He said he is confident that the rakyat, including the Rompin constituents, have accepted GST after the government explained the need for the new tax system which will benefit the nation in the long run.
“It is a wise decision made by the government and the rakyat have started to accept it. The polls will be a test to see whether they support or reject it,” Hasan said.
“Initially there were lots of uncertainty and doubts. Malaysians are beginning to understand.
“When I went on the ground in Rompin, all the negative stories that I have heard are just plain rumours and speculation,” he said, adding that at a few villages in Bukit Ibam, Danglau, Pontian which he visited, he found that people accepted GST.
“If we explain to them sincerely, they will accept GST, including the businesses. We can see more developments,” he added.
Hasan added his ministry and the Finance Ministry are studying the impact of GST. After a year, he said, the rakyat will be updated as to whether the implementation had made an impact as targeted.