Adenan to meet his Cabinet before deciding on absorbing GST

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Adenan Satem will meet the members of his cabinet before deciding on whether the state will absorb the Goods and Services Tax (GST) imposed on public services provided by local authorities.

"I will discuss that later with other members of my cabinet," he said here today.

Adenan was asked about the matter after he officially opened Menara Rimbunan Hijau and Lassa Palm Oil Mill belonging to Rimbunan Hijau Group at Pusat Suria Permata here in conjunction with the group's 40th anniversary celebration.

To date, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman and Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng have announced that their state governments would absorb the GST imposed on public services provided by local authorities.

READ: Terengganu absorbs GST for local authorities' services - Ahmad Razif

Local authorities in Penang to absorb GST - Lim

Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said his state would not absorb GST in order not to contravene any laws.

On the various accounts with over half a billion ringgit belonging to companies allegedly involved in illegal logging in Sarawak frozen by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Adenan said it only showed how serious he was in combating illegal logging.

"I've told you before I mean business. Don't mess with me," he said.

The commission raided 48 sites statewide yesterday under 'Ops Gergaji', which led to a total of RM560 million in assets belonging to 375 companies being frozen and 500 logs seized.

Earlier on in his speech the Chief Minister commended RH Group executive chairman Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King for his relentless effort in building the group to what it is now over the past 40 years.

RH Group is one of Malaysia's largest multi-industry companies that has successfully established its presence in Australia, British Guyana, Cambodia, Canada, China, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Singapore and United States.

Among others the group which employs almost 100,000 employees worldwide, is involved in the forestry, oil palm plantations, media, information and communication technology and hospitality businesses.