The Customs Department is willing to hold a free briefing on goods and services tax (GST) exclusively for anti-GST activists, if they still insist on being answered directly. 

 

This is after it had replied to  106 questions anti-GST activists posed in a sit-in at the Federal Territories Customs Department last week.

 

The activists refused to budge when the Customs Department declined to respond to questions, resulting in the arrests of over 80.

 

"If they want direct replies from us, we will organise a seminar," Customs director-general Khazali Ahmad told a press conference in Kelana Jaya today. 

 

He told them to apply to the Customs, set the location, and officers will be sent.

 

Director of GST Subromaniam Tholasy added the briefing would be done for free. 

 

Khazali reiterated the Customs Department had uploaded the answers to their official website , under the heading "106 questions".

Training available

He added that the government has deployed 1600 new officers for the Customs Department to assist the implementation of GST. 

 

Training on GST is also available.

Titled "GST ready assessment" it comprises 10 modules,and i\the cost will be up to RM4800, according to the Customs Department's website . 

 

The website also explains the projected RM23.3 billion revenue from GST will be placed in the consolidated fund and used for national administration and development.

 

Included in the budgeted for 2015 are:

  • Teaching and education programmes: RM60 billion
  • Healthcare: RM23.3 billion
  • Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia: RM4.9 billion
  • Infrastructure: RM4.5 billion
  • Scholarships: RM3 billion
  • Aid for the poor, senior citizens and disabled: RM1.2 billion and
  • 1Malaysia book vouchers: RM325 million 
"As a whole, the people and the country will be the biggest beneficiaries of the GST, through infrastructure, education and healthcare," it added.

 

GST will come into force on April 1 at six percent.