Advertise zero-rated items, businesses told

Kota Kinabalu: Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST)-compliant businesses advertise all the zero-rated items at their premises. She said the move will help consumers identify them when shopping as there are about 500 items not subject to the GST.

"I have raised this to Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hassan Malek," she told reporters, here.

Jainab said this during a GST-implementation ground visit with the Hassan Malek, where they, along with officers from the Ministry and Customs Department, conducted their rounds in City Mall and KK Plaza, here.

It was learnt that Jainab, who was in the middle of a Cabinet meeting, was instructed by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman to accompany Hassan Malek during the rounds.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Electrifying windows of opportunity in Sabah - The right policies, collaborations, and strategies can turn emerging opportunities into victories for all parties in Sabah.

CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor’s 2021 Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya Plan and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) have laid out a road map to an exciting future for all Sabahans, with a target of increasing Sabah’s income levels and GDP per capita from about RM 23,000 to about RM 40,000 by 2030.

According to her, there had been rumours on the implementation GST which had triggered panic buying the last couple of days.

"There had been panic and many shops have seen their shelves go empty. So I have to come down and also view the situation," she said.

On another note, Jainab also expressed disbelief over sundry shops changing the prices of items sold in their outlets on the eve of the GST implementation.

The GST is only applicable to companies earning RM500,000 a year but she alleged sundry shops are also charging their customers GST.

"Like in Kampung Likas, I found the operators busy changing the prices of items sold in their outlets. When I asked them they said 'Boss Suruh' (boss instructed us)," she said.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

Jainab urged the Ministry to take action against sundry shops which imposed the GST, adding that consumers must also be smart when shopping.

She said consumers can also adopt best practices when shopping as they have the power to choose, boycott and report on bad traders, saying there was no reason for them to panic.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00