The government will spend RM365 million in implementing the goods and services tax (GST), which is due to come into force in April next year.

 

In a parliamentary written reply to PAS' Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, the Finance Ministry said that an awareness campaign on the scheme had started in 2010.

 

The government will have to spend close to RM250 million on a computer system and new software; RM100 million on training for business operators; and RM17 million on advertising and publicity.

 

Khalid, however, criticised the expenditure, pointing out that the government is utilising public funds to justify a system which will only burden the people more.

 

"They have not started implementing GST and already they have to pay RM 365 million," he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

He said the government has been claiming that the GST is not an additional burden on the people, but that this is misleading because the scheme will only add to taxes already being imposed.

Pakatan Rakyat has consistently rejected the imposition of the GST at a time when the people are facing economic hardship.