GST implementation can be improved, says Khairy

"UMNO youth is very concerned about the voice of the people over the weaknesses in the implementation of GST. We support the policy (introducing GST) but its needs improvements in terms of implementation," he told reporters after chairing an UMNO Youth Executive Council meeting at UMNO Headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.

He said UMNO Youth would organise an open day soon and invite representatives from the Customs Department, Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism to hear all complaints and grouses of the people to improve weaknesses in the implementation of the GST.

He said consumers, youths, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and food outlet associations would also be invited.

In another development, Khairy, who is also Youth and Sports Minister, said the investigations being conducted on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) by the Auditor-General and Public Accounts Committee must be comprehensive to completely answer all allegations against the government.

Khairy said the recovery plans of the management of 1MDB must also be implemented holistically and for the long term to ensure the financial problems of the company did not repeat itself.

"It is learnt, a recovery plan will be tabled to the Cabinet this week. So, we hope the plan will be a really holistic recovery plan ... not a short term recovery plan which can only solve debt payment from month to month," he said.

Khairy also reiterated that firm action must be taken against those responsible for the 1MDB crisis.

Meanwhile, Khairy also said he would meet with the representatives of the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (NUFAM) tomorrow evening to discuss the (impending) termination of employment of 6,000 Malaysia Airlines (MAS) staff.

"I have received a letter from NUFAM on the crisis. UMNO Youth is very concerned at the fate of the MAS workers whose employment will be terminated.

Khairy said if the workers could not continue their service with MAS, they would be aided in terms of finding alternative employment, or alternative skills.