ON the one hand, mobile operators are insisting that their prepaid customers pay the Goods and Services Tax (GST) despite the governments decision to exempt prepaid users. On the other, the state governments of Johor, Terengganu and Penang have decided to absorb the GST cost for services they render, such as the rental of halls and eating places. If this were not a matter of national interest, it would be hilarious. The mobile operators insist on collecting what they should not, and the state governments will not be collecting what they should, but will pay into the central coffers anyway. The reaction of those responsible for the implementation and enforcement of GST in Putrajaya, meanwhile, appears to be one of being continually wrong-footed each time someone bucks the trend. In all of this, where do the people stand?
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