PARLIAMENT | The BN-controlled Dewan Negara’s rejection of the sales and service tax (SST) bills will carry no weight in Putrajaya, laments BN senator Ong Chong Swen.

This is because, Ong said, the money bill will still come into force despite the upper House’s objections.

"The reality is, whether (we) support the Sales Tax Bill 2018 or not, whether (the Senate) passes or not... this is not important.

"Even we object to the bill, the government can still continue to implement the bill as enshrined in Article 68 of the Federal Constitution, as this is a money bill," she said during the debate of the Sales Tax Bill at the Dewan Negara today.

Ong, the Wanita MCA vice-chairperson, also told the government to take full responsibility for any possible impact caused by the reintroduction of SST, instead of blaming BN one or two years down the road.

At present, a total of 32 BN and three PAS senators dominate the 55-seat Dewan Negara.

Harapan has placed the two SST bills and the GST repeal bill as its priorities in this Dewan Negara sitting, which commenced today and will last until Sept 20.

When tabling the Sales Tax Bill for policy stage debate earlier today, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng urged senators to support the bill so that the current balance surplus can be maintained.

"If we are not able to implement SST and repeal GST, then we will lose the RM4 billion revenue we are expected to collect, and we may end up in deficit.”

Lim added that the government will not have the sufficient funds to bear its operating expenses, which will impact the economic credibility of the country.

"If the bills are not passed, the A- rating given to Malaysia will be impacted," he warned.