MUSTAPA Mohamed has slammed Daim Zainuddin, saying the former finance minister was the one who had proposed the goods and services tax, but the government then did not have the will to see it through.

Bernama reported the caretaker international trade and industry minister as saying Daim was also involved in a study on the tax’s implementation, given the nation’s smaller income then.

This follows Daim’s criticism of GST, which was implemented in 2015 by the Najib Razak administration.

“The government at the time had decided to go ahead with GST, but it did not have the courage to implement it. Only Najib dared to do so,” said Mustapa in Jeli yesterday.

“GST’s 6% rate is one of the lowest in the world. The tax will benefit the country in the long term, despite the pressure the government has faced over its implementation in these three years.

“I’m confident that the people will accept GST. The government needs financial resources to provide facilities for the people.

“As a modern government, we are implementing GST for long-term (benefits). The opposition should not politicise the matter.”

Earlier yesterday, Daim, who has been travelling the country in support of the Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pakatan Harapan in the 14th general election campaign period, said after GST is abolished, Malaysians will be able to spend more.

Daim, who was finance minister during Dr Mahathir’s time in office, said should PH wrest Putrajaya, it will take just 18 months to turn the economy around, even without GST. – May 5, 2018.