PAS said its rally against the the "cruel" Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Kuala Lumpur today is in line with Prophet Muhammad's urging to fight oppression.

"The GST really oppresses the people. Opposing oppression is valid, whether thruogh use of force, the tongue or the heart.

"The Prophet has once said, 'The best jihad is to speak the truth against an oppressive ruler," said PAS ustaz Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali ( left ) in a statement today.

He urged the people to support the rally today themed ' Himpunan Derita Rakyat ; Tolak GST' at Padang Merbuk in the heart of the capital starting 4pm today.

The rally will feature as the icon Kelantanese activist Tok Janggut , who fought against oppressive British taxation during colonial rule.

Mohd Khairuddin said GST is a tax that does not discriminate between rich and poor.

"The poor also pay tax. This is a form of oppression, and therefore it is against Islam," he said.

He added that the tax has been introduced at a time when the government has proven to be wasteful, seeing leakages of up to RM40 billion.

"The country has no problems getting revenue, but the problem is in the spending because of the wastage and leakages," he said.

Mohd Khairuddin said according to Islam, the number of items taxed should be reduced, unlike the GST that serves to expand its taxation base.

PKR: PM may flipflop on GST

Meanwhile PKR said since Prime Minister Najib Razak is known for his flip flop decisions, with enough pressure he may do so on the tax.

"We know the prime minister always flip flops in the governance of the country.

"If he can flip flop with the Sedition Act and detention without trial, most likely he will flip flop also on the issue of GST, if the people apply enough pressure," said PKR strategy director Sim Tze Tzin in a statement today.

PKR launched its nationwide anti-GST flashmobs starting with one at the Damansara toll plaza close to its office in Petaling Jaya today, distributing #BantahGST car stickers.

They have also started a petition at www.bantahGST.com to gather a million signatures against the highly-criticised tax.

In the first 15 days, said Sim, they have garnered 15,000 signatures and hopes to achieve at least 200,000 by May 1.

"We urge all Malaysians to sign the petition as a sign of protest against GST tax. If more people oppose it, there is a possibility the government may end the hastily implemented GST," he said.

'Regulate 10pct service charge'

Sim also expressed disappointment that the government has failed to regulate the 10 percent service charge that the service sector such as food and beverage establishments still impose on customers.

He said the charge has been in use for around two decades but till now there are no laws to regulate it.

"10 percent service charge is quite a large amount. However, the level of service is still at a lamentable level," said Sim, who is Bayan Baru MP.

He added the low minimum wage has discouraged people from working in the service sector.

Sim ( left ) said if a percentage of the service charge could be channeled back to wages and to skills upgrade more talent would be attracted and the level of service would also improve.