Rosmah Mansor had good intentions when speaking about expensive hair treatment, but it was spun into something bad, Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan says.

The prime minister's wife, Ahmad explained, wished to highlight the difference in prices charged by hairstylists who attend to their clients at their  homes.

"I was there at the function (where Rosmah made the comments). She said that hairstylists come to the house and offer their services for RM1,200.

"She said it was very expensive. She did not pay (the sum). She complained of it being expensive, but it was given a negative spin by you know who," he said.

What Rosmah complained about was the different prices offered by home service operators, depending on the buyers' identity and the area in which the service is provided, Ahmad said.

He added that the prime minister's wife wanted the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to look into the matter.

Rosmah's comments on the hair treatment drew flak from various quarters and made international news.

Ahmad said changes in the taxation system, implementation of minimum wages and reduction in personal and company taxes would see the government's tax revenue drop by RM8.5 billion this year.

This makes the target to achieve RM142.6 billion all the more challenging, he said.

The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) collected RM133.69 billion in income tax last year.

GST campaign gives Ahmad backache

With the goods and services tax (GST) starting April 1, the rakyat, who "have received everything", could now begin to contribute to the country, Ahmad said.

"With GST, the rakyat who received everything can contribute to the country, though their contribution will be small, in the form of six percent GST," he said.

He said this would be a tremendous help to tax revenue.

Ahmad also urged the tax collection officers, who packed the room, to raise a generation who will know the importance of paying taxes.

Members of the public, he said, must know that when they pay tax, the money will be returned to them 10-fold, through development and various other forms, he said.

Ahmad, who has been on a nationwide roadshow to engage with members of the public on the GST, said he is putting in the hard work so that the new tax would be a success.

"I have no personal jet, I take AirAsia to fly around. My back aches until now... We definitely worked hard for it. There is no subsititue for hard work," Ahmad added.

The government today also launched the 'Cinta Malaysia' campaign, a campaign featuring television personality Azmil Nawawi, which is aimed at promoting paying tax as a form of patriotism.

However, the IRB declined to reveal the cost of this campaign.

"Nothing is free, (but I am) not going to tell. Later (the media) will report differently," IRB chief executive officer Mohd Shukor Mahfar said.

Income tax payments for 2014 can be made through credit card and debit cards, starting today.