PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the goods and services tax will only be reintroduced when the minimum income of the people has reached a “reasonable” threshold.

He told the Dewan Rakyat today that the country was not ready for such a tax now even though he believed the GST to be an efficient and transparent taxation system,

“The income level of the people is still low. Too many people are still hardcore poor and in the B40 category,” he said in reply to a question from Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang-PN).

He also ruled out that it could even be implemented in six months or a year.

The prime minister said the income of the people must first be raised to the appropriate levels before the tax is re-introduced.

He said he will continue to tax the rich and curb tax evasion, wastage and corruption as he seeks to lower the national debt.

On the Pandora Papers, Anwar said tax evasion would not be tolerated. He said he has ordered investigations into the Malaysians named in the expose. 

“We should not let them flee with the money overseas. If you evade paying taxes or steal public funds, pay it back.

“Return the money.” – March 14, 2023.