THE government will review and amend the list of goods subject to the sales and services tax at the end of the year, said Lim Guan Eng.

The finance minister said the ministry would gather feedback from the public and study whether some items should be removed from the list.

“The full list has been uploaded, but we need to make amendments. As I have said before, we need to impose SST on September 1. I have no choice, because we could be in a deficit if it is not implemented on September 1.

“After getting the views of the people, we will carry out a study and take the appropriate action. We will do another round of amendments. I hope the people will be patient,” he told reporters after a briefing on the implementation of SST in Butterworth today.

He said there were several food items that should not be imposed SST, but were on the current list due to their grouping.

“The problem is, all imported foods, such as seafood like abalone and prawns, are lumped in the same group. So, we have to make amendments.

“We may remove from the list some items that ordinary folk usually buy, and we will also study whether to reduce or increase the rate.”

Lim said some consumers were still confused by SST.

He said there were complaints from patrons of nasi kandar restaurants that imposed the 6% service tax.

He said the government had increased the threshold for eateries that were charged SST, and only outlets that recorded an annual revenue exceeding RM1.5 million could impose the service tax on customers.

“I hope customers will understand why some restaurants do not need to collect the tax, and some do. Do not blame the restaurant owners, as they are only carrying out their responsibilities as businessmen complying with the law.

“I also want to stress that the service charge is not a tax per se. It is a collection for waiters and waitresses.

“In the past, the goods and services tax was imposed on the service charge, but under SST, we do not tax a service charge, so I hope they understand.”

He assured buyers of mobile phone top-up cards that they would get the full amount.

“We issued the order that a top-up card for RM10 will be worth RM10. The 6% service tax will be credited back, as it is set in the system.

“There should not be technical problems, but if such issues occur, we will give a rebate to the affected buyers. So, do not believe those who claim that a RM10 top-up card is worth less than RM10. It is not true.” – Bernama, September 1, 2018.