PAS's religious scholars' wing has described the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as un-Islamic.

 

PAS Ulama information chief Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said the fact that GST taxes consumer's spending instead of their income goes against the concept of taxation in Islam.

 

"This is because tax (GST) drawn from spending does not differentiate the payer's financial capability.

 

"This means even those less (financially) capable are also taxed," he said in a statement.

 

He added that in Islam, to implement taxation, the country must first ensure that leakages and wastage are tackled.

 

Mohd Khairuddin also addressed criticism that the anti-GST protest was "haram" in Islam, adding that Muslims were only prohibited from overthrowing a legitimate government through armed struggle.

 

"A ruler that has done wrong must be rebuked and opposed. Those who opposed with their heart and tongue are not committing a sin," he said.

 

Some 50,000 people had protested at Dataran Merdeka on May 1 against the GST which is due to come into force on April 1, 2015.

 

The tax which is imposed at every level in the production chain replaces the Sales and Service Tax (SST) which is only imposed at the end-level.

 

The tax will start at a rate of six percent.