BUDGET 2018 does not address the core issues burdening Malaysians and is just another way to help Barisan Nasional win the 14th general election, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Lim, who is also Bagan MP, said while Malaysians were hoping the federal government would abolish the goods and services tax (GST), it did not happen.

“This is an election budget. Malaysians were hoping for GST to be abolished but we are sad that it did not. The only thing announced was Musang King is sold at RM800 in Hong Kong,” said Lim.

He said the opposition will continue to demand for GST to be abolished as the tax, if it remained, will continue to rise.

“If we look at the international trend, GST will be increased and it will never go down. Like Singapore, they first go with 3% then it was increased to 7%. In Malaysia it is at 6%, if it stays, it will go up to more than 7%.

“Malaysians must decide. If they are going to pick BN, GST will remain and continue to go up so they have to decide whether or not to they want to keep GST,” he said.

He also questioned the government’s move to abolish tolls starting January 2018 in three states – Kedah, Johor and Selangor – but not the one in Penang despite it being one of the first toll concessions in the country.

“Lots of tolls should be abolished but were not. For example the Penang Bridge, it is among the first toll concessions,” said Lim.

As for the allocation to expand the Penang International Airport, Lim said it is what the state has been waiting for.

“We are currently serving some 7.1 million passengers but they are expanding for 9 million capacity. By the time the expansion is completed in three to four years, it may have exceeded the capacity. But it is a good development,” he said.

Meanwhile, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the goodies announced were only for short term benefits and Budget 2018 was merely a show for Najib.

“We have to weed out corruption, leakages and the wastage in our country. Okay… you can give out the goodies but the basic problem of the country in economic administration is not addressed,” said Dr Wan Azizah. – October 27, 2017.