Khairy: Reinstate GST, even if renamed 'Madani Tax', for national revenue

Former Rembau Member of Parliament Khairy Jamaluddin has voiced a strong opinion that Malaysia's current tax system, relying on the Sales and Services Tax (SST), is inadequate for the nation's financial requirements. Speaking at the RIMBUNAN 2.0 National Round Table Consultation Forum, Jamaluddin appealed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to reconsider the reintroduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), setting aside political sentiment for the sake of the country's economic health and its people.

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GST tidak sepatutnya dimansuhkan. Saya merayu agar GST dikembalikan semula. Tukarlah namanya, ‘Madani Tax’ pun tidak mengapa.

Jamaluddin, who previously served as an economic advisor, reiterated his stance that the GST should not have been abolished. He even proposed that the tax could be rebranded, suggesting 'Madani Tax' as an alternative if the government is hesitant to revert to the original name due to past political decisions. His primary concern is the robustness of the national revenue base, warning that politicizing economic management will ultimately burden the rakyat.

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Bagi saya, bukan soal siapa kerajaan atau parti pemerintah. Apa yang penting ialah asas hasil negara mesti kukuh. Jika pengurusan ekonomi dipolitikkan, akhirnya rakyat yang akan menanggung kesusahan.

He highlighted that the GST, in its previous implementation, did not unduly burden citizens, citing zero-rated sectors like education and health. Furthermore, Jamaluddin pointed out the difficulties faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) under the SST system, particularly the inability to claim back input tax. He urged against discarding policies simply because they were introduced by a previous administration, stressing that while difficult decisions might have short-term impacts, their long-term benefits are substantial.

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GST sebenarnya tidak menekan rakyat kerana sektor seperti pendidikan dikenakan kadar sifar, begitu juga dengan kesihatan.

Jamaluddin expressed disappointment at the apparent lack of courage to implement such a necessary economic measure at present. From a Malaysian perspective, this call for the return of GST, even under a new name, reflects a pragmatic approach to fiscal management. While political parties may have differing views on GST, the economic realities often necessitate difficult choices. The debate underscores a recurring theme in Malaysian economic discourse: balancing political considerations with the imperative of sound financial policy for national development and public welfare.

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Jangan politikkan pengurusan ekonomi negara. Jangan hanya kerana dasar ini diperkenalkan oleh BN, maka ia terus dihapuskan.