PCCC urges leniency on GST

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Chinese Chambers of Commerce (PCCC) has urged the government to be lenient when enforcing the law on the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The call was one of seven the Chambers passed during its annual general meeting (AGM) today.

The resolution noted that the market remains sluggish and called upon the government to grant a two year grace period for businesses to adapt.

"We urge the authorities to maintain the GST rate at 6% for five years and to reduce personal income tax.

"We urge the authorities to report to the people regularly and transparently on the GST revenues collected and the benefits to the economy and the people," the resolution read.

Other motions passed included urging Chinese youths to join the civil service, punishing government officers for dereliction of duty and prudently managing the nation's finances.

Those in attendance also passed the resolutions to urge the local government to improve facilities and services, for the federal government to include Penang as a "growth catalyst city" in the 11th Malaysia Plan and to enhance efforts to boost medical tourism.

In his speech earlier, PCCC president Datuk Seri Choot Ewe Seng also urged the Malaysian and China governments to waive visa requirements for their citizens when traveling to each other's countries.

He said the move would ease trade and enhance relationships between the people and businesses of both nations.

"I urged the Malaysian and China governments to expedite the process to waive visa requirements," he said.

Choot was returned unopposed to his post for the 2015 to 2017 term while his deputy, Datuk Jong East Full also retained his deputy presidency with Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping being retained as PCCC executive advisor.