Opposition would also implement GST if in power - Anwar

Opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the opposition would also implement the goods and services tax (GST) if it ruled the country.

The Permatang Pauh member of parliament said objections against the GST did not mean rejecting the tax system, but instead, the country's preparedness to implement it.

He said since he was told of the GST in 1993, he admitted that the system was efficient and transparent, as well as advantageous to the country's revenue.

During a news conference at the Parliament lobby here Thursday, Anwar, who was asked when the country was ready to implement the GST, said: "It will be some time before we can consider it (implementation of GST)."

When tabling the 2014 Budget, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the implementation of a six per cent GST, starting April 1, 2015 but with the exemption of several necessity goods such as food.

On reports which alleged that the United States of America operated stations at its embassy in Kuala Lumpur to monitor telephone calls and communications networks in the country, Anwar urged the prime minister and home ministry to act quickly so that Malaysia did not look weak in the matter.