IPOH, June 1 — Consumers have been advised to check their receipts for the coming one month to ensure traders do not take the opportunity to charge Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Perak Health, Consumer Affairs, Civil Society, National Integration and Human Resources committee chairman A. Sivanesan said on its part, the state Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry’s enforcement unit would send its officers to conduct checks at shops to ensure traders adhere to the government’s directive to zero rate GST.
“We are not worried with traders at shopping complexes but those smaller shops outside. We will send our officers out to check in the next one month to ensure traders followed the directive and not manipulate the price,” he said.
Speaking to reporters after leading checks at Aeon Kinta City here today, Sivanesan added that 292 officers would be sent out to monitor the prices.
He said traders have been given until June 30 to update their price tags.
“But it is their responsibility to ensure consumers are not charged GST at the counter,” he added.
He noted that consumers could lodge complaints with the ministry if they came across traders who continued to charge GST.
They could call toll free 1800-886-800 or 03-88826088/ 88826245.
“Consumers could also file their dissatisfaction via online or at the nearest ministry office,” added Sivanesan.
Meanwhile, Kinta City Aeon store manager Cheah Chee Kong said the company did not face any problems converting to zero-rated GST.
“It was, in fact, easier for us compared to the implementation of GST previously as we had to put up with new system and pricing,” he added.
Cheah also said the company was in the process of changing its price tags and anticipated the exercise to be completed in two weeks.
“During the interim period, consumers would be informed of price differences through notices,” he said, assuring that when payments are made at the cashier, no GST would be charged.
