Zahid: BN to Push for GST Reintroduction After GE16 for Fairer Taxation

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared the coalition will advocate for the reintroduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after the 16th General Election (GE16), hailing it as the fairest and most effective tax regime for boosting national revenue.

Speaking at the Makkal Sakti Party’s 17th AGM in Butterworth, he said BN would tolerate the current Sales and Services Tax (SST) for now, with about two years left. The call echoed Makkal Sakti president Datuk Seri R S Thanenthiran’s plea, citing SST’s public hardships.

GST Reintroduction

GST, implemented in April 2015 under then-PM Najib Razak at 6%, was highly disputed by opposition parties like Pakatan Harapan, who criticised it as burdensome on lower-income groups and regressive. Its unpopularity is widely seen as a key factor in BN’s shocking defeat in the 2018 election, leading to GST’s abolition and SST’s introduction. Critics argue GST disproportionately affects the poor, while supporters claim it broadens the tax base fairly.