Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Another typical u-turn

On 16th June 2009, the Second Finance Minister announced that the govt has no plans to implement the Goods and Services Tax ("GST") in the near future.

Today, 24th November 2009, our Prime Minister cum Finance Minister announced that the GST bill will be tabled in Parliament. I guess we all know what is the meaning of "near future" in the eyes of our govt.

While Beyonce's concert has gone, GST is coming. It is an effective tax collection mechanism that will impact every person in this country. Well, what to do? Govt is in need of money to spend on computers which cost RM40,000+ per unit to develop this country.

Your char-kuey-teow, bak-kut-teh and nasi-lemak are going to be more expensive I can assure you. But it's ok, I am sure they are still as tasty.

29 comments:

Crankster said...

We pride ourselves on being tolerant and accepting and resilient. One day, the jack booted thugs will step on our heads and we will be still be proud of our 'virtues'.

TG said...

I think it's a shame that Beyoncé won't be able to taste char-kuey-teow, bak-kut-teh or nasi-lemak. I'm sure she has enough money to pay the additiona tax :P

Terra Shield said...

I'm assuming that the last sentence is for those who say that they want to remain here because M'sia has the best food (we do, actually - especially in terms of variety), but seriously... what can we do? Not everyone is privileged enough to migrate to greener pastures.

As for the govt policies... they're getting far worse than what we had in the previous years. Especially the budget which i think is incredibly unfair to the middle income-lower income group. And now this GST. We need to do something very, very soon.

InjusticeSistem said...

Crankster : Spot on! Msian are da most forgiving ppl on earth, rape them abuse dem shove it up their arse multiple times and they still forgive u, im so glad Malaysia is leading the world in the World Most Forgiving Country Index.

I want to thank Malaysian citizen on behalf of the politician. Your taxes help us to buy more mercedes n keep more mistresses...and yes we continue to fight for ur right to drink beer in shah alam, eat char-kuey-teow bak-kut-teh n nasi-lemak....just makes sure u pay income tax ok,

I DON NEED SEX DA GOVT SCREW ME EVERYDAY

Melody said...

why don't we go register ourselves to vote out this government before it's too late? Be proactive,spread the word among our family and friends.
Some might say it's a waste of time. At least we are doing something about it rather than keep complaining, remain seated on the fence and wait for doomsday

Kellaw said...

Imagine the typical loaf of bread is rm2 and that is all you had. the rotiman passes by and you screamed at him. he stops you takes the bread and gives him the money. thats when he screams back at you. dey kurang 30sen. lu tak tau ada service tax ka?

lolz

Kenny Mah said...

Some how I do feel that the char kway teow won't taste as good... either cos they are cutting costs or the price just skyrockets.

Notice how everytime there is inflation or any form added taxes, folks just take opportunity and hike up prices more than is reasonable? :(

Jun said...

at least in the "near future", there will still be bak kut teh ;p

(to be honest, i seldom pine for msian food now...)

ZACL said...

Sounds familiar...it goes on worldwide.

Anonymous said...

fuck u la...the faster u go australia, better....

Pinknpurplelizard said...

Do u think that the food stall operators and stores at any pasar will issue receipts with a breakdown of the charges? I don't think so. This is just another scam by the government to bleed us dry.

I also heard on radio that they're planning to have a ruling against high prices during festive times. Am unsure if that will come to be.

Even if any of this come to be, it will be rather useless as the enforcers of the law are weak and prejudiced. This country is democratic in name only. I rather they make it a communist country. Heh~

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

and updated: 26 november, fm2 mentions possible rate of 4% and bill will be tabled at parliament in dec..

Anti-zewt said...

Why don't all of you immature imbeciles who are constantly whining here (Zewt, you included) go get a life? Have any of you registered yourself to vote to at least effect changes? If not, you don't have any locus standi to comment and bitch about the state of this nation. Just constantly whining and bitching and doing nothing is like frigging yourself to death.

Pro-zewt said...

I'm not Malaysian, but my Malaysian friends laughed at me when I said go and vote and you may change something.. They (who were Chinese) said they go and vote for the main Chinese party, but not because they believe something will change. They said it's bad, if we vote but it'll be worse, if we don't.

Ice said...

Malaysia doesn't have GST? I'm surprised.

Crankster said...

InjusticeSistem, we need to look beyond what hits our wallets.

Of course, the government is smart enough to make sure that's all we think about.

Stormsea7 said...

hey zewt, I'm a student here so I won't understand anything about economic plan's and how it will affect us.

From what i heard, the GST is basically tax on just about everything.

Like if I go visit the dentist, I would have to pay for GST tax. If I buy stuff at supermarket with cash, the bottom of the resit would have "GST Tax" included.

Basically, if i understand it correctly, the GST would be like a tax on credit card, except it's on everything.

Care to enlighten me and the other readers with more detail explanations?

Stormsea7 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
gina said...

Wah.. I can sense sarcasm in the last paragraph. LOL! Not everybody has options to put in migration, Zewt. Not everyone is as fortunate as you.

eiling lim said...

that's why it's called near future - less than 6 months! haha... Our govt is really in need of money and the fastest way to get money is to squeeze sweat and blood from its rakyat.

jam said...

What to do? Like you say, our government needs money from us.

Jerine said...

I just spent RM 16 on nasi lemak and RM 18 on Starbucks coffee once I landed on Malaysia. Freaking shock. When did the number became so big?

taxy said...

Wah... I missed visiting your blog since they blocked blogspot addresses at my office, my friend. I don't think you'll need any help with those who tell you they aren't as lucky to be going downunder like you are ... They do know there is GST and high income taxes there, don't they? Both good things when there aren't overpriced PCs used for MPs. Or are there?

zewt said...

Crankster - that is why i blogged about "JSJT" a while ago... the hidden message.

MKL - hahahaha... but she is not here!

Terra Shield - well, in all honesty, the govt needs money desperately. cant disclose much but that's the sad truth.

InjusticeSystem - hello there. i like your sarcasm :)

Melody - i have... and is a voting voter.

zewt said...

Kellaw - hahahaha... i will certainly ask him to show me his GST licence.

Life for beginners - hahahahaha... now, that is a hard fact!

Jun - with so much nice food in melb, who needs malaysian food :P

ZACL - it's an advance tax system. we call it, the evolution of tax. cant help it.

anon @ 25/11 8.24pm - man, you have no idea how much i want that to happen now...

pinknpurplelizard - absolutely. this is the main problem for basically every malaysian thing, we do not have the right enforcement. the whole thing is going to be a mess, trust me on that.

zewt said...

constantly craving joe - yup... based on the study, the breakeven point for doing away sales tax + service tax is 3.5%, so 4% would be expected. no cheaper stuff as you claimed eh? :)

anti zewt - i am registered and voted.

pro zewt - typical people they are... they are the reason why this country would fall.

Ai Shiang - haha... why?

Stormsea7 - yup... it's a consumption tax. i will definitely be blogging about it soon. no worries.

zewt said...

gina - sarcasm is the name of the game. aiyah, can always head south mah.

eiling lim - yup... govt need money. and we are the easiest to squeeze.

jam - precisely.

Jerine - and it will only get bigger.

taxy - i always tell myself... those high taxes are savings for child education fund... :)

Huei said...

i read something on thestar yesterday..a writer wrote something about government n service tax will be removed in order to implement a cheaper GST? correct ar?? cos gomen tax now is 5% n service is 5-10%? ehheh i'm blur >.<

zewt said...

huei - dont get conned, i will explain more soon.