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Telcos defer move to collect 6pc service tax

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 10:54 AM PDT

2011/09/13
By Elvina Fernandez and Maizatul Ranai
news@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Mobile prepaid users nationwide can be at ease, for the time being at least, as telecommunication companies (telcos) have agreed to defer their plan to pass the six per cent service tax to their customers.

Representatives from four major telcos — Celcom Axiata Bhd, DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd, Maxis Bhd and U Mobile Sdn Bhd — yesterday agreed to put collecting the service tax on hold, following a meeting with the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said telcos would not collect the tax from consumers until further notice and after the matter had been discussed at the next cabinet meeting.

Telcos had originally planned to cease absorbing the six per cent service tax on mobile prepaid services from Thursday.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak asked them to reconsider their decision in view of the rising cost of living.

"In the meantime, a thorough discussion and research will be carried out between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and telcos as well as among telcos themselves to determine a number of pertinent matters," Rais told a press conference after yesterday's session with the telcos at Angkasapuri.

This would include whether the proposed service tax should be chargeable only once when the starter packs were purchased or every time a reload card was bought.

Another issue discussed yesterday were the services provided by telcos.

Rais said he was relieved that the telcos had agreed to put the proposed tax on hold and hoped the public would let the issue rest. He acknowledged that telcos had been big contributors of service tax since 1998, collectively paying at least RM6 billion to the government in service tax since.

In an immediate response, the Malaysian Mobile Phone Owners Association said it would put on hold their planned protest at the MCMC headquarters until the next cabinet meeting. Its president, Mohd Ali Ibrahim, said a decision on whether or not to proceed with the demonstration would be made after that.

In a related development, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the public could report to the ministry if they were charged the six per cent service tax by unscr upulous traders and agents.

"The ministry is aware of some errant traders who are taking advantage over the earlier announcement by telcos on enforcing the service tax for reloads and starter packs." Ismail said the service tax issue would be brought to the cabinet tomorrow.

Tanjung Malim goes into 'unhealthy' territory

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 10:54 AM PDT

2011/09/12
By Punitha Kumar
punithak@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: The haze has worsened in certain areas in the country, with Tanjung Malim recording a "unhealthy" level of 107 in the Air Pollutant Index (API).

Other badly affected areas were Nilai and Bukit Rambai with "moderate" (89) readings.

The Department of Environment (DOE) said yesterday Shah Alam registered a reading of 77, Petaling Jaya; 70, and Kuala Lumpur, 72.

Thirty other areas recorded moderate readings of between 51 and 100 while 21 areas registered good air quality (0 to 50).

According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department website, Petaling Jaya and Subang had the lowest visibility readings of 4km.

Other areas with low visibility include Batu Pahat, Ipoh, Senai and Mersing, all at 6km.

The Meteorological Service of Singapore's website said there were more hotspots in central and southern Sumatra because of the persistent dry conditions.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai advised the public to spend less time on outdoor activities.

"If you must go out, use a face mask," he said in a statement.

Liow said it was necessary to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water and maintain strict hygiene while performing outdoor activities.

He also advised those suffering from asthma, cough or chronic lung diseases to seek medical help if the situation worsened.

On Sunday, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas expressed concern over the high temperature levels in Sumatra after satellite images detected 600 hotspots this year.

His ministry sent a letter on Friday to Indonesian Environment Minister Professor Dr Gusti Muhammad Hatta urging him to control the situation.

He said the monsoon winds that brought smoke from forest fires in Sumatra caused the haze in Malaysia.

Good API ratings range from 0 to 50, while a moderate API is from 51 to 100. An API level of above 100 is unhealthy.

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Isnin, 12 September 2011

NST Online: Topnews

NST Online: Topnews

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