Don't be taken in by Opposition claims on GST, Shabery Cheek tells the Chinese

The Chinese community should not be taken in by the opposition's accusations about the Goods and Services Tax (GST), said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahamd Shabery Cheek.

He said the GST was a good and efficient taxation system to increase the country's revenue and that its 'who uses pays" concept was fairer including to to foreigners living in the country.

"Foreigners (living in Malaysia) have been enjoying facilities available to citizens like good healthcare facilities, roads and subsidised goods even though to do not pay tax.

"That is why GST is implemented in more than 160 countries. The revenue earned from GST we will return to the people through various programmes," he said at a Komuniti 1Malaysia (K1M) dinner at Bandar Baru Rompin here Thursday night.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, Communications and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad, Information Department director-general Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Editor-in-Chief Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab and MCA Youth head Senator Chong Sim Woon.

Ahmad Shabery said GST in Malaysia was also in the country's own "mould" so as not to overly burden the people.

"We do not impose the GST on basic food items. Even public transport is GST- exempt. For people in the lower income group we also have the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M)," he said.