Do not be influenced by negative comments on GST - Tengku Adnan

He said the notion that the implementation of GST would result in Barisan Nasional (BN) losing its grip on power was just a ploy and would not in the least affect the government.

He said the decision to implement GST was aimed to streamline tax collection and manage national income more favorably.

"Much has been said about GST, but we need to know that of the 12 million workers in Malaysia, only 1.2 million pay taxes ... so the government has implemented GST to streamline tax collection which will benefit the rakyat (people).

"The parties concerned, particularly the opposition deliberately use GST issues to play on public sentiments and on the part of government we are prepared to ammend whatever is lacking in its execution, but do wait until GST is enforced on April 1," he said at the closing of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 18 (1) PTA meeting here on Saturday.

The implementation of GST at the rate of six per cent is to replace the sales and service tax (SST) which is rated at 16 per cent overall.

Tengku Adnan said, to ensure that people do not take advantage, the government had and would take various measures to protect the public as consumers.

The Customs Department and Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism had for example, set up an operation room to monitor GST implementation, handle consumer complaints and take appropriate action in line with GST enforcement, he said.

In another development, Tengku Adnan, who is also Putrajaya Member of Parliament, hoped the close cooperation between the PTA and the school would be maintained to ensure the continued success of the school and students.