Daily press conference of GST: Hasan Malek

The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) will hold a daily joint press conference with the Customs Department to provide the latest information on the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from Wednesday.

Its Minister, Datuk Hasan Malek said the press conference, to be held at 5pm at the ministry's premises in Putrajaya, was to provide information directly to the rakyat (people) on complaints received, nature of complaints, action taken and cases being investigated.

"The press conference will be conducted by my ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad and Customs GST director Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy to enlighten the public on whatever complaints received," he told reporters after reviewing the prices of goods at the Giant supermarket here, Wednesday.

Also present was Sabah Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid.

Hasan said the information would be chanelled through the Anti-Profiteering Operations Centre which is staffed by 40 officers, on rotation basis, 24 hours a day.

According to Hasan, the operations centre and press conference would go on to monitor the situation until the GST is fully understood and there is no more confusion or parties taking advantage of the situation.

Thus, Hasan encouraged consumers nationwide to take advantage of the operations centre to lodge any complaints or to clear any doubts regarding GST including complaints on traders using GST as an excuse to raise prices.

Consumers may contact hotline numbers 1-800-886-800 or 03-88826245 and 03-88826088 or refer to the ministry's headquarters in each state, he said.

In addition, Hasan said the government had also produced booklets available for consumers and introduced MyKira GST application as a guide to help consumers be aware of prices.

He said the ministry had also set up five special courts to handle cases related to anti-profiteering, one each in Sabah and Sarawak and three more in the peninsular.

"This is to convince the rakyat that the government is really serious in ensuring that no traders will take the opportunity to make excessive profits," he said.

Meanwhile, Jainab said the price list in the price booklet for consumers should be advertised in the newspapers and displayed at the entrance of all supermarkets.

She also reminded operators and retail store owners especially those in the rural areas to not increase prices randomly and burdening consumers.

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