DiGi: No update on GST for prepaid

PETALING JAYA: DiGi.com Bhd, one of the telecommunication companies involved in issues related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for prepaid reloads, has declined to comment or provide an update ahead of a survey to assess customer preference on prepaid reloads.
"There is no update so far and I do not wish to comment on it ahead of the survey. It is also a sensitive period for us now, as we are going to release our results soon," its chief marketing officer Christian Thrane told reporters at the launch of DiGi's collaboration with Telekom Malaysia Bhd's (TM) HyppTV mobile app service yesterday.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced on April 3 that consumers will have to pay GST for prepaid services including prepaid reloads, in compliance with the GST Act 2014.
The Royal Customs and Excise Department had agreed to this treatment of GST on prepaid reloads after discussions with the four communications providers namely DiGi, Celcom, Maxis and U Mobile.
However, to ease the burden of consumers, the providers agreed to give additional value in the form of free minutes and text messages, as a transitional measure for three months beginning April 3.
A survey will also be conducted by the communications providers to assess if consumers prefer lower reload values on which GST will be charged.
Meanwhile, TM's HyppTV mobile app service named HyppTV Everywhere is now available to DiGi's postpaid and prepaid customers, who will be able to enjoy HyppTV content via mobile devices and pay for the subscription via their DiGi bill or other payment options.
Five special packages are now available for DiGi customers, who can download the app through Google Play Store or Apple App Store or enjoy the Web TV version on HyppTV Everywhere website.