GST Includes Sarawak

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawakians will not enjoy a different taxation system, other than the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be implemented on April 1 next year.

They, however, could place hope on their state government to review the existing taxes that did not come under Putrajaya, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during his half-day trip to Kuching yesterday.

“As far as the federal government is concerned, we have come up with a mechanism to implement GST, which should not burden the people,” he said when replying to a question at a dialogue held at the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) here yesterday.

A student asked whether it would be feasible for the federal government to introduce a different taxation system for Sarawak and Sabah, following the implementation of GST next year.

The student reasoned that the GST, which will impose a six per cent tax on selected goods and services, would burden many in the two Borneo states.

Muhyiddin assured the federal government never intended to increase the burden of Malaysians by implementing the GST next April.

He said details had been let on in Budget 2015, such as what the exempt items would be while enforcement teams would be set up in every state throughout the country.

The dialogue was held in conjunction with a special meeting with Muhyiddin at the university’s Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra.

Earlier, vice chancellor of Unimas Prof Dato’ Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi said the university planned to set up an integrated learning centre for lifelong learning in view of encouraging enrolments, both local and international.

He added that Unimas was also in the midst of putting in place a postgraduate programme in Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, to facilitate research students from Peninsular Malaysia.

“We are also committed to developing Mukah Smart Town and Sibu Integrated Learning Centre.”

Kadim pointed out Unimas had won four gold medals, four silver medals and four special awards in the British Invention Show 2014 held recently in London.

He said research carried out at the university had also won other awards such as the Premier Information Award and Industry Innovators Awards.

Apart from the British Invention Show this year, Unimas also landed two gold medals, three silver medals and four bronze medals in the Malaysia Technology Expo 2014.

“At the expo, we also received special awards from the Japan Patent Office and Jury Panel.” - BP