PUTRAJAYA would be dysfunctional without the goods and services tax (GST), which the opposition has vowed to do away with if it came into power, said Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Speaking at the TN50 dialogue with women in conjunction with National Women’s Day at the Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur today, Najib said GST is a source of revenue and without it, most of the programmes proposed by the audience cannot be executed.

“I am not kidding you, I am not fooling you. I am the minister of finance, I know if we minus RM42 billion from the country’s revenue, you will be in a standstill and the government will be dysfunctional.

“Because there is nothing more we can do if we minus RM42 billion from the country’s revenue. All the women’s programmes cannot be done,” he said, adding that they should not trust the opposition.

“Do not trust the opposition. Talk is cheap. As the prime minister, I can deliver what I said. I am not saying things just to please you.

“I know if things cannot be done or (if things are) realistic,” Najib told an audience of about 1,000 people.

Among the concerns brought up by the women from various backgrounds were the need for better facilities at a school in Kuala Langat, more disabled-friendly facilities in government sectors and for the government to provide more shelters for the homeless such as the Anjung Singgah shelter home.

“Managing the country’s spending is like managing a marriage, the principle is the same.

“You can only spend whatever money you have. You will be in deep trouble if you have to borrow money from ‘Ah Long’ (loan sharks).

“The country is the same, we need revenue to run the programmes. The funds do not drop from the sky but it comes from the country’s revenue,” he added. – September 4, 2017.