The PAS ulama wing has once again stressed that the goods and services tax (GST) is haram because it does not fulfil the requirements for the necessity of a tax in Islam.

According to the wing’s chief, Mahfodz Mohamed, the GST is haram because the current situation does not meet conditions deemed necessary by Muslim scholars to implement a tax.

Therefore, he said, the government must be in dire financial distress to administer the country.

The GST, Mahfodz said, also does not meet other conditions, including that taxes should only be implemented only on people with extra income.

"At a time when the National Fatwa Council is manipulated to make the cruel GST a necessity, PAS Dewan Ulama still stresses that GST is haram for failing to meet the underlined conditions," Mahfodz said in his speech at the 65th annual PAS ulama wing muktamar held in Tok Bali, Kelantan.

Mahfodz also pointed out that the GST, which was implemented on April 1 last year, had caused excessive hikes in prices of goods and services.

"With the GST, the people, including the poor, are facing licensed robbery that could amount to RM42 million a day, as announced by the government," he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that while the GST was heavily criticised when it was implemented, more people have now accepted it, after realising that it saved the national economy.

'Don't spread poison on the Hudud Bill'

Mahfodz also urged all Muslim MPs to open their minds and support the proposed amendments to Act 355 that were recently tabled in Parliament by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Citing Verse 49 from the Al-Maidah chapter of the Quran, Mahfodz pleaded that no party should try to prevent 'the struggle' with various arguments and bad intentions.

"Please do not spread such 'poison'," he said.

Hadi's Private Member’s Bill, officially termed the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Bill 2016, is also referred to as the "Hudud Bill" as it would ultimately pave the way for the partial implementation of the Islamic penal code in PAS-ruled Kelantan.