The Penang state assembly today wants the federal government to postpone the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) in April 2015 until the state achieves a developed state and high-income status.

The emergency motion was tabled by Lee Khai Loon (PKR-Machang Bubuk, left ), who claimed the GST would burden the poor and medium income group.

He urged the federal government to focus on effective governance to prevent any misappropriation rather than implementating the GST, which was said to create hardship, increase the people’s burden on living costs and affect many sectors.

Earlier, Mohamad Farid Saad (BN-Pulau Betong), who took part in the debate of the emergency motion, said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government was a responsible government because it placed the interest of the people at present and in the future.

“The BN  government has taken into account many aspects before making a decision to implement the GST while studies are also conducted by looking at the method of implementation in more than 100 countries.

“The government also identified goods and services that will be imposed with the GST,” he added.

Penang legislative assemby speaker Law Choo Kiang accepted the emergency motion.

- Bernama