KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 ― DAP's Lim Guan Eng said today his party had never promised to get rid of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Sarawak should they win the state election.

The DAP secretary-general pointed out that the broad-based consumption tax can only be abolished in Parliament and said incumbent Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem was making false claims.

“I had never said that DAP would abolish GST in Sarawak if DAP wins the state elections, but that we should punish BN and Tan Sri Adenan for allowing GST to be implemented and bring hardship to the people,” Lim said in a statement.

“GST is so cruel by taxing poor people together with the rich, but even state governments and local councils have to pay GST for road and public work projects.”

Lim, who is also Penang chief minister, pointed out that his state government tried to reduce the public burden by paying RM20 million annually for GST which would ultimately benefit the federal government.

News portal Malaysiakini today reported Adenan as challenging Lim and PKR to abolish GST in Penang and Selangor.