Najib slams Opposition for not providing alternative to GST

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak lashed out at the opposition Saturday night for criticising the government and protesting against the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which would be enforced in April next year.

He said the opposition, while protesting against the implementation of the GST, had never offered an alternative to replace the GST.

"The opposition staged a demonstration on May 1, but if they truly disagreed on the GST, they should provide an alternative, but we don't know what their alternative is.

"They just go on stage to criticise the government, they merely criticised without offering a better alternative for the government," he said when launching the Malaysian Senators Council (MSM) and its logo at Parliament House here.

Najib said such criticism did not reflect an opposition that represented an intellectual community because they (the community) always aspired for a more rational input on any matter.

He said the government had concrete and rational excuses on why the GST should be implemented in the country.

"Over 160 countries have implemented the GST and we should realise by now that this is the best way to ensure the future of our country," he said.

On the MSM, the prime minister said he fully supported the setting up of the council where the membership is open to all former and current Barisan Nasional (BN) senators.

He said with the various backgrounds and expertise possessed by the senators, the quality of debates at the Dewan Negara sitting was seen to be improving.

"The various backgrounds of the senators will improve the quality of their debates and put a balance to the Dewan Rakyat, not only from the aspects of policies bandied about by political parties, but also in giving a different perspective," he said.

He said the balanced debate would bring significant benefits to the government and provide meaningful inputs in the interest of the people.

Najib said the Senate or Dewan Negara should not be labelled as a 'rubber stamp' by anyone because the role played by the senators was important in drawing up any legislation.

"I am told that the debates in the Senate have been very lively lately to the extent that the Dewan Negara recorded history when the debate dragged on until 12.43am as it wanted to pass the motion on the Royal address," he said.

On the supplementary allocation for allowances for members of the Dewan Negara, Najib said he would discuss the matter with the Finance Ministry.

Also present was MSM president Senator Datuk Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman, the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Senate President Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang and members of the MSM.