PETALING JAYA: The government needs to exempt the people's basic necessities if it wants to reinstate the goods and services tax (GST), says PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.

       He said this was necessary as the people were burdened with the high cost of living at present.

       “Bringing back GST needs to be justified by taking into account the burden on the people and the responsibilities of the government.

       "That is why it needs to be (implemented) in a fair and just manner," Sinar Harian quoted Abdul Hadi as saying on Friday (June 3).

       He added that global economic constraints had not only put pressure on the people but also affected the government.

       "What is important is to exempt basic goods that the people need from GST as we do not want it to be a burden on the people," he said.

       On the other hand, he said, it would not be a problem if GST was imposed on the high-income group and those involved in industry.

       On Wednesday (June 1), it was reported that the government did not rule out the possibility of bringing back GST to increase its revenue.

       Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told Nikkei Asia in a special interview in Tokyo that GST was seen as a way to expand the nation's basic income.