KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — Malaysians would rather forgo the goodies announced in Budget 2016 in exchange for the abolition of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Lim Guan Eng said today, noting that the consumption tax is expected to cost ordinary citizens some RM21 billion next year.

In a statement, the DAP secretary-general asked Putrajaya if it believes whatever goodies offered in Budget 2016 would be sufficient to offset the higher cost of living caused by the GST, which was rolled out in April.

“Many have said that life was better without the GST. I am sure the rakyat will prefer not having these 2016 Budget goodies if they can also not have the GST,” he said.

Lim noted the budget, tabled on Friday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, projected that GST collection next year would increase government revenue by RM39 billion, which would be translated to a net amount of RM21 billion, after taking into account revenue lost following the abolition of the Sales and Services Tax.

But this RM21 billion, the Penang chief minister said, would come from the pockets of 30 million Malaysians and not from businesses or “rich crony companies”.

“In other words, 30 million Malaysians are directly impacted in paying RM39 billion because of GST as compared to the previous scenario before GST where only businesses pay RM18 billion,” he said.

Budget 2016 allocated RM267.2 billion for federal spending, an increase from a revised allocation of RM260.7 billion for 2015.

For 2016, federal government revenue collection is projected at RM225.7 billion, up from RM3.2 billion from 2015.

GST collection is expected to increase government revenue by RM39 billion, versus RM27 billion in the first eight months of 2015.