The Malaysian Government on April 1st begins imposing a 6 percent Goods and Service Tax (GST) as part of efforts to improve the nation’s tax management system and fiscal deficit.

The GST is expected to help reduce the country’s fiscal deficit to 3.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year from 3.5 percent in 2014. In addition, an estimated 22 billion ringgit (6 billion USD) will be raised each year from GST revenue.

A number of commodities enjoying GST exemption were also introduced, including essential food products, health care and educational services and public transportation.

The Government also prepared a specific mechanism to protect consumers from swindlers after the GST is imposed.

With this move, Malaysia becomes one among over 160 countries in the world and 7 in Southeast Asia levying a goods and services tax. The country’s six percent GST is the lowest level among Southeast Asian countries./.

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