Before GST came into place, our Government always tried to convince the people that the perception that GST would increase the cost of living is not right.
In May last year, Ahmad Maslan who was then holding the position Deputy Finance Minister claimed that after the implementation of GST, there would be no increases in 48 percent of the goods and prices on 42 percent of the goods would drop, leaving only 10 percent of goods would be more expensive.
Not only that, Najib in his Budged 2015 speech also mentioned that, of the 944 goods and services in the basket of goods of the CPI, the prices of 532 items or 56% are expected to reduce up to 4.1%. Only about 354 goods and services may experience some price increase but less than 5.8%.[1]
Both Najib and Ahmad Maslan got a slap in the face as the parliamentary reply from Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism said completely the opposition of what they claimed.
According to Hamzah Zainudin’s reply dated October 21, out of 446 items, prices of 350 in Peninsula, 283 in Sarawak and 304 in Sabah have increased. In other words, in average 70% of goods and service have experienced price hike.
In contrary, only 82 items in Peninsula, 128 items in Sarawak and 109 in Sabah, ie prices on 24% of the of the goods, have dropped.
Before the implementation of GST opposition MPs have repeatedly warned Najib and his ministers not to underestimate the negative impact of GST on the daily life of ordinary Malaysians. Too bad, our advice was not heeded. Instead, we were accused of twisting the truth on GST.
However, it is evident that the real liar is Najib, not us. Question is, after Minister of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism has accidentally exposed his lies, will Najib have the courage to admit his mistake and adopt the proposal of Pakatan Harapan alternative budget, ie to reduce the GST from 6% to zero percent, in order to ease the burden of the rakyat, who is already sufficiently burdened by the massive depreciation of the Ringgit and toll hike?