Ahmad Maslan 'warned' to lie low

UMNO Information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan has been warned not to cast any doubts on the recently-implemented Goods and Services Tax issues especially during the campaigning period in Rompin and Permatang Pauh.

An UMNO source revealed Ahmad Maslan had also been ‘told’ not to highlight GST issues especially in Rompin fearing a backlash after making a series of scathing remarks on the taxation system.

“Several top-notch UMNO leaders have warned Ahmad Maslan for coming out a tad too vocal on issues pertaining to GST. This may lead to us clinching reduced majority in Rompin which will result in the failure to win the Permatang Pauh by-election,” he said.

“His intentions are good but his statements are often being manipulated by the Opposition until many issues had cropped up which would affect the party,” the source revealed.

READ: Stop manipulating my proposal - Ahmad Maslan

Another source from the UMNO camp confirmed the matter citing Ahmad might be put on cold storage for a while, but only on GST-related matter.

“If he continues, it will leave a negative impact on the party,” the source who prefers to remain anonymous.

Last month, Ahmad Maslan has called on university students to cook their own meals to minimise GST impact, had drawn flak from various quarters.

READ: Students criticise Ahmad Maslan's 'cook your own meal' advice

Many students who took to Twitter to vent out their frustration, arguing that his suggestion was impossible as most universities forbid cooking in campus.

Some had also tweeted that cooking appliances and water heaters are banned from dormitories.

His recent statement on the former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad whom he said did not understand how the GST works, also drew criticisms from those in the latter's camp.

READ Tun M lacks understanding on GST - Ahmad Maslan

Prior to this, Dr Mahathir has called for the GST to be scrapped as the previous taxation system was sufficient.

Ahmad Maslan had reportedly said, "the people around him (Dr Mahathir) did not give him the proper explanation about GST. The GST percentage is much lower than SST. So, how can he say its better for the government to cancel GST?"

The government had implemented the GST on April 1, replacing the sales tax and service tax (SST).