Sabah customs director Hamzah Sundang said 89,791 GST statements had not been received as of October.

According to him, companies and industries have until the end of the year to submit the statements.

“There are 24,610 registered GST payers in Sabah. However, as of October, we have yet to receive 89,791 GST statements,” he said.

“We hope all traders will carry out their responsibilities by submitting the statements to customs to avoid legal action.”

Hamzah also said Sabah’s GST collection had increased in 2017, and that he would announce the exact amount soon.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the launch of the GST Ambassador Programme at the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) here.

During the ceremony, Hamzah announced customs assistant director of the GST division, Crystal Tay Siew Ching, as GST ambassador.

Also present during the event was KKCCCI president Michael Lui and senior state customs officers.