THE country’s taxation system will be improved and updated that may include the introduction of new taxes, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“When we introduced the tax system, it was not done in an organised and orderly manner, hence many have escaped from paying taxes,” he told reporters after launching the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 in Kuala Lumpur.

He said improvisations will be done to the taxation system with the relevant agencies such as the Inland Revenue Board.

“Maybe we will introduce new taxes that will not burden the people,” he said in response to a question on Putrajaya’s plans for taxation and whether that will include reviewing the revival of the goods and services tax (GST).

Dr Mahathir had said Putrajaya would consider bringing back the abolished GST to replace the sales and services tax (SST) if it was what the people wanted.

“If the people want it (GST), we will study whether it is better than the current SST.”

He had said if the people believed GST was better, the government would conduct the study.

However, he added it was too late to reinstate the GST into Budget 2020 that would be unveiled next week. – October 5, 2019.