Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today voiced his disappointment over people who "make noise" when having to pay the goods and services tax (GST) but were "silent" when receiving the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) cash aid.

"We must understand that it is not the intention of the government to burden the rakyat.

"When we introduced GST, we increase the BR1M, for example, by RM300, but unfortunately when receiving money, many are silent.

"Conversely, when the prices of goods go up a little, there are complaints," he told civil servants from the finance ministry during its monthly assembly in Putrajaya this morning.

He added that the government is aware that the price of goods have somewhat gone up but the government has responded with counter measures.

Other than BR1M, he said income tax has also been reduced between one to three percent and corporate tax was likewise reduced, said Najib who is also finance minister.

Monitoring needed

The gathering was also attended by Finance Minister II Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan and secretary-general of treasury Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.

Najib acknowledged that there are legitimate complaints about GST, but said monitoring must be done to identify the exact problem and resolve them.

"This is to know if the their (rakyat's) complaint has basis or is due to certain quarters taking advantage.

"For example, if an item was previously subjected to sales and service tax (SST), when SST is abolished and replaced with GST, they (sellers) should reduce their prices and then impose six percent (GST).

"But they maintained their prices and impose six percent," he said.

Najib said he has instructed the relevant authorities to pay attention to such cases and charge offenders in court as soon as possible.