YAN, Nov 1 — The Communications and Multimedia Ministry will clarify the 2014 Budget to the people, especially on the goods and services tax (GST) to prevent it from being manipulated by unscrupulous quarters, said its minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

He said many people did not understand the GST, and that upon implementation the price of goods could be cheaper or there might not be any significant change.

“If there are problems it would probably only be in the early stage. Anwar (Opposition Chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) had talked about introducing the GST when he was Finance Minister. Why is he against it now? He is being inconsistent,” he told reporters after attending a feast with the community in Kampung Gelam 3, near here today.

He said the opposition often turned the government's noble efforts into issues which are then played up by their media.

“In Penang, the DAP was angry about the Penang Bridge. Now they not only want a second bridge, but they also want to build a tunnel and set up a toll plaza.

“When the people were unhappy with the highway, PAS played up the issue, but are they not using it? Back then they were even angry about building KLIA (KL International Airport) but now they're making noise that KLIA 2 is not built soon enough,” said Ahmad Shabery.

Commenting on the hike in the sugar price and GST as issues raised by the opposition in their campaigns in the Sungai Limau by-election, Ahmad Shabery said the matter was not a big issue among its constituents.

“Even the people of Kedah are wary of the five years of PAS rule since 2008.

They aren't sure of what changes PAS could bring for them.

“They want to provide jobs, how many jobs? They promise to shut down vice dens, ban alcohol, tell me which liquor shops in Alor Setar, Sungai Petani and Langkawi did they implement the ban? I believe that the sugar price and GST are not the main issues here,” he added.

Ahmad Shabery said the people of Kedah was living a better life now, and it was not as a result of PAS rule but the Barisan Nasional (BN) government which preceded.

“The people of Kedah felt like they've wasted five years. They want to make up for the loss by giving power to a party that has a good track record and this time it can continue in Sungai Limau,” he said.

Polling for the Sungai Limau by-election will be held this Monday. — Bernama