Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is puzzled with his opponents in BN who continues to harp that the state government’s operating budget is not subjected to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Lim asked why the state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow and his pro-GST gang are harping on the matter when both Johor and Terengganu, like Penang, have decided to absorb the tax imposed on local authorities.

Lim said this has proved Teng to be lying, allegedly to cover his first lie.

“Teng ( photo ) has now tried to cover his first lie with another lie by stating that I do not know that Penang operating budget of RM100.25 million such as salaries and pension payments were actually tax-exempted,” Lim said in a statement.

Penang government’s operating budget 2015 is RM887.24 million, not RM100.25 million as claimed by Teng, he added.

Mislead the public

Yesterday, Teng said the state’s operating budget and administrative expenditure are two different matters and Lim was clearly trying to “ twist ” the issue to mislead the public about paying GST on its operating budget.

Teng was then referring to Lim's statement that the Johor sultan had exposed BN's failed attempt to convince Permatang Pauh voters during the recent by-election that government services are not subjected to GST.

However, Lim insisted not only salaries and pension payments (not subjected to GST) are included in the operating budget, but also administration costs and supplies, which are subjected to GST.

He said he does not wish to waste any more time with a person like Teng, who is only good at making “despicable personal attacks to run away” from addressing the people’s issues.

“GST has caused financial hardship, forcing many traditional businesses like sundry shops, hardware shops and traditional Chinese medicine shop to close down.

“There was even a businessman in Telok Intan who attempted suicide because of GST,” Lim added.

“Can Teng answer why he supports instead of opposing the GST and what has he done to oppose lessen the burden of the people caused the GST?” Lim asked.

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