Government to utilise GST revenue for restoration works in flood areas

The government will utilise surplus revenue of RM10 billion from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to build basic facilities in states ravaged by the floods.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan said the government is expected to earn a revenue of RM23 billion compared to RM13 billion, after the GST is enforced in April.

"With the GST, we can build more basic facilities such as roads, bridges, schools, clinics, hospitals, mosques and government buildings, which require allocation of billions of ringgit," he told reporters after visiting Kampung Kerilla, one of the areas ravaged by the floods.

Ahmad said without the GST, it would be difficult for the government to cover contingency expenses needed to restore facilities destroyed by disasters.

Commenting on loan sharks offering soft loans, he advised the flood victims not be easily fooled.

Flood victims need not worry as the government will help, including hastening the payment of schooling aid this month, the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) by the middle of this month, and the relocation aid to be announced soon.