Festive expenditures up with GST

KUALA LUMPUR: With Hari Raya festivities around the corner, Muslim consumers are feeling the pinch of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as they start purchasing goods for their families.
Speaking to theSun amid the huge crowd at Jalan Masjid India’s clothing and accessories bazaars, Aishah Nol has decided to use Instagram photos while surveying the clothes here.
“I have only started browsing for my parents because some of the baju kurung sold in certain stalls and shopping malls do not include GST. This goes for controlled item goods such as flour where the prices are increased by the seller.
“Of course when you are buying clothes, it is not enough through Instagram because you want to feel the fabric and see if it fits you. But I still find it convenient, although I still have to pay the postage fee when I mail it to my family,” said the 24-year-old trainee teacher.
She also lamented GST being burdensome because it has affected her budget.
“My budget for last year was RM200, which means I can buy the items that I want. But this year I have to put aside more than RM300,” she said.
Another consumer, Fadhil Sulaiman, who was browsing through the stalls with his three-year-old daughter, said that he has had to carefully budget his expenditure this year.
“For instance, a baju Melayu costs RM150 whereas usually it can be bought for under RM100. As for children’s clothing, it costs more than RM100.
Inspector Firdaus Mozainie, who is currently training under the commando unit, he said there is a standard dress code which the personnel have to follow.
“We have to get a baju Melayu which is silk, black and gold samping. The cheapest that we are able to find is RM150. We are given 12 hours to find it and other items too.”
He said last year, he was able to send clothing and festivity items inclusive postage for RM300 but this year, he has to increase his expenditure by RM200.