Klang MP urges PH leadership to quickly abolish GST, fulfill manifesto

PUTRAJAYA: The Pakatan Harapan government should act fast by removing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as promised soon, in an effort to increase salaries and make living wages possible for all Malaysians, said Klang MP Charles Santiago.
Congratulating Malaysians for voting out a coalition that was in power for more than sixty years, Santiago praised the people for exercising their democratic right, without any bloodshed, violence or rioting.
However, Santiago also cautioned that once this euphoria settles down, Pakatan Harapan must focus on delivering the promises made in the election manifesto or face being voted out by the people in the next general election.
"I believe our newly-minted Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has already kickstarted the process by consulting the King on pardoning former deputy premier, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"He has also been working around the clock to set-up a new cabinet," he said in a statement, today.
Crediting Mahathir for the massive electoral success, Santiago pointed out that the rakyat voted for Pakatan Harapan as they were struggling with increasing prices and the GST, which has exacerbated their financial struggle.
"The decision to set up the Elders Council immediately could not be at a better time. Hopefully with their wide range of experience and wisdom, all of us in Pakatan Harapan would work together to deliver our promises to the rakyat that have placed their trust on us," he added.
Santiago's response came as the Council of Elders wasted no time to convene their first meeting, the evening immediately after the announcement of its formation by Mahathir.
Chaired by former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, the meeting, which went late into the night, was also attended by three other members of the team, namely former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former Petronas president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican and economist Prof Jomo Kwame Sundaram.
Billionaire tycoon Tan Sri Robert Kuok was not present as he is currently overseas.
Daim said the five-member team was briefed and deliberated on the current economic situation, the national debt, the ringgit, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and fuel subsidies, amongst others.