Deputy State Assembly Speaker Jenny Choy Tsi Jen expressing her views at the event.

IPOH, 18 September 2023 - The Federal Government is implementing better fiscal management, more prudent and strategic spending and more efficient taxation to avoid introducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Deputy Finance Minister II Steven Sim Chee Keong said this at the Perak Budget 2024 Roadshow Programme at Dewan Bankuet, Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan.

"For expenditure, we will spend on projects on dilapidated schools and clinics as well as infrastructure that can bring productivity.

"As for tax collection, we use the A.E.S concept which is 'Awareness, Education, Service'. We use this to encourage tax payment and as a result tax collection has so far reached 20 percent beyond our expectations.

"So, this targeted approach can prevent the government from imposing GST, especially when we are experiencing a relatively slow economic situation around the world," he explained.

Meanwhile, Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad said the Perak State Government had submitted nine projects amounting to RM138.67 billion to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) before this roadshow session.

"Among them is the facility and building upgrading project at the Emergency and Trauma Unit, as well as adding new beds for the use of Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital patients.

"Apart from that are the Education Facility and Planned Village Scheme Infrastructure Upgrading Projects.

Also present were State Assembly Speaker Dato' Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid, State Legal Adviser Dato' Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin, State Financial Officer Mohd Zaki Mahyudin, Deputy State Secretary (Development) Halizah Sipun and State Exco Members.

Steven Sim Chee Keong and delegation also took the opportunity to visit the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital and the Planned Village Scheme (RPT) Project site at Batu 6, Tambun Tambahan.

Before concluding the programme, he officiated a handing over session of household aid to three recipients around Ulu Kinta.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.