KOTA KINABALU: Homeowners and government agencies are now undertaking renovations with less than five months to go before the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). A large number of hardware stores here are enjoying a spike in the sales of building materials as small contractors land small home and office improvement jobs, here.According to hardware store, Kumpulan Berlian Sdn Bhd manager, Liew Kon Lin, many government agencies may be offering small office improvements to fulfill their operational expenditure for the year.
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"You know-lah, it's the end of the year. They (government groups) may have some extra from their budget and they want to spend it on improving the office," he told the Daily Express. He said the move is timely as prices of building materials will increase with the implementation of the GST in April next year.
"Stores like us would not be able to feel the pinch, as the increase would be passed down to consumers," said Liew. "Let's say a RM10 item now will be RM10.06 when GST kicks in," he added.
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Renovation works have become common in several housing areas around the city, including residents in Kepayan Ridge to Austral Park, of late. "Christmas is coming soon, then it's the Chinese New Year. All of us need to have some improvements before the festivities," said one resident at Taman Asli, here.
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"It is also practical to do it now before the GST raises the prices of the contractors," he said.
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Professional services like those of lawyers, accountants and contractors would also come under the GST regime. Some claimed that it is best to do improvements in the home front now before the fluctuating prices of fuel hike other items in future.