BETTER TO TAKE MORE TIME WITH GST IMPLEMENTATION

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- A two-year gap between the release of
full rules and guidelines, and the implementation of goods & services tax (GST),
would be the most sought after solution by most businesses in the country, says
Deloitte Malaysia.

Deloitte's Asia Pacific Indirect Tax Leader, Robert Tsang said the GST was
much more complex to manage than the sales tax and service tax.

"More time taken means better preparation, better compliance, less
hassles and fewer problems," he said in a statement Monday.

Last week, Second Finance Minister, Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah had said that the
government required more time to gather feedback from the public and therefore
would not be tabling the GST Bill for a second reading at the Parliament which
started its session Monday.

Deloitte Malaysia's Indirect Tax Leader, Peter Devlin said news that the
Tax Review Panel has begun preparing Shoppers' Guide which would provide the
existing prices and new prices of selected items, was heartening.

"The government can also consider hiring GST experts from the private sector
to supplement the efforts of government, with a view to promoting independent
perspectives and creating more resources," he said.

Devlin added channels like the traditional television, radio, newspapers and
talks as well as the alternative social media will present avenues for this
purpose.
-- BERNAMA