Speculations abound as news on the implementation of GST (Goods and Services tax) on petrol was reported by Singapore’s Shin Min Daily News. The article said that Malaysia would announce its implementation during the Budget 2015 meeting this Friday.

DAP Perak Economic Development Bureau Chief Chong Zhemin said that this is most ironic for a foreign newspaper to be aware of the news. This is in view of the public being kept in the dark about petrol GST as the federal government has repeatedly denied its implementation.

“Is Najib going to flip a coin in parliament this Friday to decide whether GST will be imposed on petrol?” he asked, questioning if the Prime Minister would decide to impose the tax on petrol as feared by the public.

However, in the past month, Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan had refuted claims of the said tax implementation. He also denied the move despite a statement by Senior Assistant Director of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Isa Daud that petrol will not be exempted from GST.

Chong said that Barisan Nasional’s indecisiveness was due to the Pengkalan Kubor elections, where PAS was defeated by Barisan Nasional candidate Mat Razi Mat Ail for the state seat in Kelantan.

“Ahmad Maslan now owes all Malaysians a reasonable explanation on his denial,” Chong added.

With the 2015 budget set to be tabled in parliament this Friday, October 10, Chong asked if the Deputy Finance Minister is going to continue denying claims of petrol GST.

“Is Ahmad Maslan going to persist and tell all Malaysians that BN is so indecisive; a decision to impose GST on petrol has yet to be made?”

Last week, motorists faced an increase in fuel prices following the reduction of government subsidy on fuel RON 95 and diesel by RM 0.20. Opposition leaders have lamented that if GST were to be implemented, this would further burden the rakyat whose wages have not increased at the same rate as the price of goods. -The Rocket