Traders who took advantage of the Goods and Sales Tax (GST) to raise prices of goods are economic saboteurs, said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan

He said this was because the implementation of the new tax since April 1, should allow the people to enjoy a drop in the prices of goods as the GST rate is six per cent, compared to the 12 per cent imposed by the previous Sales and Services Tax.

"However, they are sabotaging the economy. Some goods are GST-free but they are arbitrarily imposing GST on them which causes the prices of goods to go up.

"It is unacceptable if they say they don't understand GST as we have explained for a year and seven months on television, radio and newspapers," he said.

Ahmad said this to reporters after attending an information function on current issues at the Rompin UMNO Office, here, today.

In this regard, Ahmad said traders should adopt a good business ethic or risk losing customers, and be penalised under the law.