BUTTERWORTH: The electorates in the Permatang Pauh constituency have a better understanding about the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after rounds of explanation, said MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said.
Wee said ongoing efforts to clear the perception to clear misconception that GST as the root cause of price hike.
"Many voters have accepted that price hike for daily items is not caused by GST.
"The rise in certain daily essentials is due to profiteering by certain unscrupulous traders. The Customs Department and relevant ministries will step up the enforcement against the culprits," he told reporters.
Wee accompanied Barisan Nasional candidate for the by-election, Suhaimi Sabudin to canvass votes in a morning walkabout campaign at the Sama Gagah market here today.
Wee said even Pakatan Rakyat leaders had conceded that GST was a good decision and the pact's convicted opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had never opposed it.
Wee added that the 6 per cent tax in Malaysia was more lenient than other countries as many daily items were zero-rated items.
Meanwhile, Wee said the Chinese voters in the constituency had given Suhaimi a warm reception by virtue of his 'local boy' status and approachable character.
He said public feedback had been very positive as Suhaimi had forged close rapport with the local community in the lead up to the polls on May 7.
The Permatang Pauh by-election was called after incumbent Anwar was disqualified as a member of parliament over his sodomy conviction.