PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim claimed that only business owners and big businesses support the reimplementation of the goods and services tax (GST) because the system shifts the tax burden onto consumers.

Anwar said that this and cost-of-living pressures were among his concerns about GST reimplementation, even though the system can help curb black economy activities.

“To want GST, there must be a reason. It is easy for them; the tax is shifted. No need to impose it on them (businesses); impose (the tax) at the lower levels.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the government needs to take into account monitoring and enforcement weaknesses before considering the taxation system.