Tax dodgers angered by corruption, says ex-NST boss

By Zurairi ARNovember 25, 2013

Blatant and excessive corruption is one reason why Malaysians are evading paying taxes, says Datuk A. Kadir Jasin in his blog today. — File photo

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — Blatant excess and corruption in government spending were why Malaysians sought to evade paying taxes rather than a purported sense of disloyalty, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin wrote in his blog today.

Disputing Putrajaya's view that tax evaders were unpatriotic for failing to add to the country's coffers, the former group editor-in-chief for English daily New Straits Times believed the public were sickened by the sight of their hard-earned tax payments falling victim to the government's profligacy. 

“More and more people, I believe, are reluctant and unhappy to pay taxes because they hold the view that the government is lavish and corrupt,” he wrote in a blog entry today.

“As a further proof, civil servants are paid bonuses. The poor are being promised higher BR1M. The government is spending billions engaging consultants. Ministers and their spouses are jetting around the world, purportedly promoting diplomacy and attracting investments.” The veteran newsman was referring to recent revelations in Parliament that appeared to show no slowdown in government spending despite a chronic budget deficit that has forced Putrajaya to roll out a new tax and slash subsidies for the public.

Among others, these include a RM7.2 billion bill for private consultants since 2009 and a disclosure that RM180 million was spent for flights on a private jet for government leaders last year alone. This were in addition to the annual teeth-gnashing by the public that greets the Auditor-General's Report on financial wastage to the tune of billions of ringgit that rarely, if ever, sees offenders punished.

Yesterday, state news agency Bernama quoted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as saying that those who avoid paying tax can be regarded as having betrayed the country, and those who paid their dues were showing their patriotism. Najib's remarks were made when when outlining the government’s reasons to introduce the controversial Goods and Services Tax (GST), which was confirmed during his Budget 2014 speech last month.

The attempt to link tax contributions to patriotism also attracted a swipe by former Cabinet minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who dubbed Chinese Malaysians “true patriots” after claiming the minority group paid more taxes than any other race in the country, including the dominant Malay community. “I agree with PM that paying tax is patriotic act. Since more Chinese pay tax than the Malays they are true patriots,” Zaid said on his Twitter account, @zaidibrahim. Earlier, Najib was also quoted as saying the revenue was needed to continue developing the country, as Malaysians were now more demanding and had higher expectations of the government. Malaysia’s proposed GST rate of 6 per cent, which will be enforced from April 2015, is the lowest in the region, whereas most countries implement a 10 per cent value added tax (VAT).

The consumption tax was first announced during Budget 2005 and was originally scheduled to be implemented in 2007, and tabled for the first reading in 2009 for implementation in late 2011, but was withdrawn during the second reading in 2010 following fierce public resistance. Unlike income tax, which is only applicable after a certain salary level is exceeded, the GST means all Malaysians will be taxed according to their level of spending, regardless of income. Its introduction has met with vehement resistance from certain consumer groups and opposition parties, most recently PAS where its religious cleric wing called the GST “unIslamic” during its annual congress which kicked off last week.

Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/tax-dodgers-angered-by-corruption-says-ex-nst-boss

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Veteran journalist raps Shahidan for scolding reporters over Rosmah issue

BY JENNIFER GOMEZ
NOVEMBER 21, 2013

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has been reminded that a journalist 's job is to report the news, and not to represent the country to attract foreign investment.

Former New Straits Times group editor-in-chief Datuk A. Jasin (pic, left) said reporters could write positive reports about the country and this they had done many times over.

“Positive reports in the local media have helped to convince investors to pour capital into the country.

“That is the role of journalists – to present news and not to represent the country to attract foreign investment,” he said in a blog post.

The remark was made in defence of reporters who were scolded by Shahidan at the Parliament lobby yesterday over the bad publicity they had given the Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, by highlighting the opposition's complaint against her use of a government jet to attend the Qatar International Business Women Forum in Doha last week.

"If you are a good person, you will bring investors into the country. You have created a lot of hatred towards her.

"I am sad because everyone is creating hatred towards her. How many investors can you bring to Malaysia?"

"Nothing! She has done so much for the country for free," Shahidan had told reporters at the press conference yesterday.

Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman also said in Parliament that Rosmah had been invited to the women's summit in her personal capacity and it was not an invitation to the government.

Kadir said although journalists did not have access to jets to move around and promote the country, they had done a good job promoting and writing about it.

"Anyway, are there any journalists who have their own private jets or can use the government's executive jet to encourage investors to come?

"They might get to ride on it once or twice. That also if the prime minister or any of the Cabinet ministers invite them," he wrote in his blog.

Kadir said Rosmah’s actions were open to debate by everyone as Malaysia is a democracy.

"Shahidan can defend Rosmah and the opposition can argue it on grounds of check and balance," he said, adding that with a bigger representation in the Dewan Rakyat, the opposition would be criticised if they did not speak out against Rosmah’s use of the government jet.

The former editor-in-chief of the New Straits Times also said that it was imperative for the public to debate the matter.

"We should let our voices be heard because this is our country and the money spent by the government is our money," he added.

Kadir, however, called on the people to not be depressed.

"In less than five years, we can vote again. It’s just that during this time, many more issues will be twisted," he said. – November 21, 2013.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/veteran-journalist-raps-shahidan-for-scolding-reporters-over-rosmah-issue