Pakatan Rakyat should implement tax waivers in their own states first before announcing they would do so nationwide upon capturing Putrajaya, says Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang.

NONE If indeed the opposition coalition has the formula to manage finances fairly and dynamically as claimed, then it need not wait until it wins the federal government to waiver quit rent and assessment taxes for residents in their own states.

“It is within the powers of Pakatan Rakyat to exempt people from paying quit rent and assessment taxes in the Pakatan Rakyat states,” said Tan in a statement today.

“If Pakatan Rakyat cannot rise to the challenge within one week, then the sincerity and ability of Pakatan Rakyat to fulfill its promises is under question,” he added.

Tan was responding to the statement yesterday by Kelantan economic planning, finance and welfare exco Husam Musa, who said Pakatan would do away with income taxes for one term, “or at least for civil servants”, if it wins a majority of seats in the 13th general elections.

pas muktamar 55 husam musa 050609 According to a report in PAS organ Harakah , Husam ( right ) said Pakatan has its own formula to manage the nation’s finances fairly and dynamically “without burdening the people”.

Husam was responding to the move by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak to raise the prices of petrol, diesel, sugar and liquified petroleum gas.

Husam said the government should prioritise the needs of the people by delaying a number of mega-projects, which he said serve the interests of a select few.

Husam also said he views Najib as having lied by omission in not having informed the Dewan Rakyat in Parliament beforehand of the price hikes.