WILFRED Tangau’s Facebook post on South Korea’s 10% goods and services tax (GST), in which the science, technology and innovation minister praises a South Korean driver’s take on living costs, has drawn flak.

The post was based on a conversation between the two on GST, the cost of living and South Korea’s progress during a 70km drive from Seoul to Cheongju.

“South Korea has implemented GST for a long time at a rate of 10%. When feverish and getting doctor’s treatment, the fee at a government hospital is RM40.The price of 20kg (of) rice is RM160.

“Driver is proud of the progress of his country,” wrote Tangau on July 17.

The post drew more than 1,000 comments and mixed reactions, with some social media users saying Tangau was making an indirect comparison to the public’s response to the 6% GST implemented in Malaysia.

Harlod Ringgingon said the government could raise GST to 10% if it wanted to, but Sabah folk would not be able cope as basic minimum wage was below RM1,000.

Sabah’s minimum wage cap is RM920.

Parti Warisan Sabah secretary-general Lorretto Padua said: “The minister should have asked the Koreans what’s their average income and how the GST collection is spent by the South Korean government, and then make a comparison with Kuala Lumpur and Sabah.

“There is no need to justify an issue when it is a known fact that GST is a burden.”

Some social media users suggested that Tangau first compare the annual household income per capita between Malaysia and South Korea before making such comments.

South Korea’s annual household income per capita was US$15,254.87 (RM65,367) as of December 2014, higher than Malaysia’s US$5,131.31 in the same period. – July 19, 2017.