SHAH ALAM, 21 June: The implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) forces traders to bear the cost and reduce profit margins.
A canteen food trader, Mohd Sambri Miah, 55, admitted that the capital raised since the GST has increased dramatically.
“But we have to bear the capital, otherwise how am I to do business,” she said, selling kuih in conjunction with the Ramadan month.
Yesterday, Selangor Kini conducted a survey at the Seri Muda Ramadan Bazaar in conjunction with the Ramadan Bazaar Safety Campaign which was carried out by State Exco Dr Daroyah Alwi.
Sharing the same opinion, Jamir Pimoon, 39, who sells a variety of drinks, said that the GST has great significance to small business owners like him.
“When there is a new tax, everything goes up, capital, rent and so on.The GST would be ultimately our responsibility,” he said, better known by the nickname ‘Abang Koboi’.
Being in business for over eight years, Siti Solehah Pikir, 38, however said that she accepts that as a challenge in her business.
“We maintain the same prices despite our capital costs having increased.
“We need to be honest in business and I think that what I am doing is a type of charity, especially in the month of Ramadan,” she said, referring to the meager profits to maintain the price for buyers.
NS
