It is high time Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders stir themselves back into action. Why so?
Consider recent events: a hike in RON95 petrol price from RM1.90 to RM2.10 in early September, announcement of the GST (Goods & Services Tax) implementation in April 2015 and re-delineation of electoral boundaries beginning end of this year.
PR leaders should organise ceramahs to inform the rakyat about the impact of the GST on one’s pocket. BN are already launching their nationwide efforts to explain the GST to the citizens.
Although Pakatan have organised some forums – the pace is very slow.
Pakatan needs to present their side of the argument as the BN Government will do everything in its power to present the GST as a people-friendly tax.
Pro-GST economists will inform the rakyat that many goods are zero-rated but will not tell the rakyat that most goods are not.
Under the present system of Sales & Service Tax (SST), over 3,000 items are tax-exempted but under the GST system, over 1,000 items only are to be given tax-exemption.
Low-income earners need to buy soap – previously they do not pay tax on the soap, now they will. The same goes for stationery, toothpaste, detergent and other daily necessities, not to mention shoes, bags, etc.
Does this not show clearly that the poor will be taxed?
A taxi driver told this columnist that the GST is a method of ‘forcing’ the poor to pay taxes through the purchase of items needed for daily living, therefore low-wage earners will have less money in their pockets once GST is implemented.
“The BN government is trying to deceive me by saying that GST is good. How is it good for me when I have less money in my pocket?
“Only stupid people will believe the government,” said the taxi driver who goes by the surname of Ng.
Regarding BR1M, Ng said that it is only a small amount which will not cover the GST he will be paying the whole year round, as prices of goods will also go up in the course of a year.
How long should PR leaders rest?
Ng remarked that it is time for PR leaders to organise a protest against the RON95 price hike and the GST.
He lamented that of late, PR seemed to be in deep slumber. Although Pakatan leaders had protested strongly and were present at Ground Zero against the demolition of Kg. Hakka in Negeri Sembilan.
The 25 people I recently interviewed, excluding relatives and neighbours, all shared the view that lately PR have been quiet and said perhaps it is due to political fatigue.
It is now six months after the 13th general election.
I knew that this time round, Pakatan was going to have some difficulties because the parliament debates after GE13 are not as ‘hot’ as the debates after GE12.
An ancient Chinese Military Manual states: ‘a soldier who rests too long will fail to be a good soldier when war is declared’ and ‘a sword that is not in use is a useless sword’.
Pakatan leaders should shake off their lethargy and swing into action at a more vigorous pace, starting with GST ceramahs/forums.
There is no better time to kickstart momentum as now. My survey also revealed that all 25 respondents think the RON95 petrol price will be increased again, next month or latest before the end of Jan 2014.
The amount of increase according to these respondents’ guess will be between 10sen to 30sen.
Too many protests may look bad and be energy-zapping, however, lack of protests will embolden the government to simply dowhatever they like, such as raising the price of goods.
One must take note that there are already new petroleum producing countries, namely Brazil and Russia while countries that buy oil have maintained the same level of imports.
The price of petrol in the world market has dipped. So why is price of petrol going up in Malaysia?
Definitely the answer has got to be due to the government’s mismanagement and that is the reason why subsidies have to be reduced – in order to fill/fuel up the government’s coffers.
Thus on Pakatan’s ‘List Of Things To Do’ will be to educate the rakyat regarding GST. And to organise a protest by April 2014 against the RON95 price hike plus the GST implementation.
Pakatan must wake up and give meaning to the phrase ‘strong opposition watchdog’.
The ancient Chinese Military Manual also says: ‘a soldier who rests too long will forget how to fight’. Pakatan leaders need to be reminded of this!
By Selena Tay
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