Books zero-rated under GST - Chua

Novels and history, religious and cooking books will be zero-rated when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is implemented on April 1.

Deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Chua Tee Yong, said this decision was made to encourage reading habits.

"Only notebooks or books that have no written notes will be charged GST as they are considered as stationery," he told reporters here today after launching Power Boat F3000 race in Danga Bay in conjunction with the celebration of the Johor Sultan's Coronation.

He said the GST would also not be charged on digital newspapers while digital books and all magazines would still be charged the tax.

Chua said with this annoucement, the publishing industry would continue to be stable and expand at a time when it was facing all kinds of challenges. Earlier, Chua said the Power Boat F3000 race, from March 26-29, has been held for the second time in Danga Bay.

The race attracted 19 participats from seven countries, including Malaysia, Brazil, New Zealand, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Brunei and Singapore.