GST roadshow not an extravagance

The government does not regard the goods and services tax (GST) roadshow that it has been organising nationwide as an extravagance.

Public Service Department director general Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal said the government held programmes, seminars, and courses to explain the mechanism and correct public perception on the GST.

"The government is responsible for educating the people on the advantages of the GST and to be prudent in their spending," he told reporters after launching the 'myGST4U' programme at Dewan Jubli Perak here today.

The programme is the latest GST initiative by the department, which targeted civil servants.

Meanwhile in Sabah, state secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman said civil servants could act as GST advocators in their respective departments.

"Through organising talks and briefings, they can help to present the correct information and prevent confusion and baseless accusations about the GST, which will be implemented next year," he said.

Sukarti said this in a statement issued by the Information Department's Corporate Communication and Media Division, in conjunction with the GST Advocator course for state agencies here.