1. GST is absolutely good for the Chinese community because it is a tax system where everyone pays, and the government no longer places the taxpaying responsibility on the Chinese community only
2. Chinese community should not oppose GST because Chinese have the highest income in the nation and 90% of the nation’s tax revenue comes from them, and with GST all who spend will be required to pay.
It is clear that Heng was playing the race card in trying to justify the GST implementation. This not only shows her irresponsibility but also proves that BN government is under heavy pressures due to its inability justify GST implementation to the people.
On April 12, DAP Political Education Director Liew Chin Tong in a statement has said that deputy finance minister Ahmad Maslan, had been saying in numerous ceramah that GST was good for Malays because Chinese traders would now be forced to pay taxes which they had evaded before an d at the same time MCA leaders told the Chinese community that the Malays, who had not been paying income taxes, would now be taxed.
I want to ask Heng if she agrees with Ahmad Mazlan’s racial approach to explain to the Malays and if she dares to use her own racial explanation to Chinese to a Malay ceramah crowd?
It is most irresponsible for BN politicians to play the race card in the GST issue. If they are unable to justify its implementation, they should be bold enough to tell the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to just scrap it.
Heng was also quoted to say that in Malaysia, anyone can oppose GST but not the Chinese as they have fewer children and hence will spend less and pay less GST.
Heng’s argument is shallow and unacceptable.
Does she not know that majority of Chinese are urban dwellers and they have to face higher cost of living?
Whether it is property assessment rates, quit rent, transport cost, children’s after school tuition class fees, the urban dwellers are definitely and naturally paying more.
For those who have to send one or two or more children to private institution of higher learning, life is even more difficult and some parents actually have to use their EPF funds to help fund their children’s education.
I do not agree with any racial approach to the GST issue but since Heng wanted to play the race card, she must at least give an accurate picture. Why did she avoid the issue of Chinese financial commitments and burden?
Heng should know that GST affects all Malaysians and Chinese have the right and good reason to oppose it.