“Already, he’s willing to abuse power to prevent opposition leaders from Peninsular Malaysia from entering Sarawak. He’s now making false claims.”
Guan Eng, who is also Penang Chief Minister, was expressing disappointment that on his last day in Sarawak before being forced by Adenan to leave, he had to be shocked by a “wild and baseless challenge” to abolish GST in Penang. “Adenan thinks that this is the only way to prove that DAP would abolish GST in Sarawak if it wins the state election on May 7.”
Guan Eng reiterated that he never made any claims on GST on behalf of his party. “I never said that DAP would abolish GST in Sarawak if it wins the state election.”
“We should punish Barisan Nasional (BN) and Adenan for allowing GST to be implemented, bringing hardship to the people.”
GST was so cruel by taxing poor people together with the rich, charged the Penang Chief Minister. “Even state governments and local councils have to pay GST for road and public work projects.”
GST, as a Federal law, can only be abolished by Parliament, argued Guan Eng. “However, Adenan must bear full responsibility for the implementation of GST in Sarawak because not only did he support it but his 25 BN Sarawak MPs also voted in support of the consumption tax in Parliament.”
Even though state governments cannot abolish GST, continued Guan Eng, Penang has tried to reduce the burden of the people enjoying local council services such as parking and rental of public halls by paying GST on their behalf. “This has caused our two local councils, MBPP and MPSP, to come out with an extra RM20 million annually in making GST payments to the Federal Government.”
Such payments contribute towards the RM39 billion GST collected annually by the Federal Government, said Guan Eng. “GST saved it from bankruptcy caused by BN’s failed policies, misrule and mismanagement as well as the various financial scandals such as the RM50 billion 1MDB scandal.”
Instead of working together with the Penang and Selangor Governments to oppose the implementation of GST on government services and public projects like roads and drains, Adenan continues to support the consumption tax, charged Guan Eng.