First, he said there is no need to hold a referendum (the submission of a proposed public measure or actual statute to a direct popular vote):
Minister in the Prime Minister Department Nazri Abdul Aziz today shot down calls for a referendum on the controversial Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill.
"Referendum is not the way to solve this issue, that is what the parliament is for," he said.
"If you want to ask the rakyat (for their opinion), you take the matter to Parliament. We are the their representatives."
Nazri's statement is indeed very confusing. Parliament is a symbol of democracy. A member of parliament is voted into the august house through a direct popular vote. Why can't a referendum be held to determine the popularity and acceptance of a bill or policy?
The minister contradicted himself in the next paragraph of his statement:
On the government decision to postpone the tabling of the GST bill, Nazri said the government needed more time to source public feedback. "As our prime minister said before, the age of the government knowing all is over. Now we will consult and engage the rakyat in what we do."
Nazri should be reminded that another way to gauge public feedback is through a referendum. A decision such as the implementation of GST affects everybody. Hence, the feedback process must all inclusive. One of the best way to make a democratic and well informed decision is through a referendum.
This is basic democracy.
13 comments:
The only proud thing that Nazri has done so far is by calling 'Madey' a bloody racist !!
Goh Wei Liang
What do you expect from substandard ministers?? Just take a look at the numbers of U-turns lately...education policy,petrol levy,GST..etc. You cant even define and set policies! What KPIs you are talking about???? Big Joke!
Oh, he is all over.
Government is just making excuse. Najib is seeking a bigger mandate in the next GE so then he can push the gST through
Now you know "WHY" there's a big brain drain in our country...?????
Leftovers for us??
They have been Ministers for so many years & they still don't know "what is what"...???????????
Tsk tsk tsk...!
This BN govt is opening their backside to be kicked on this GST issue.Already commented earlier that our country has not reached certain economic status(Income per capita)to implement the GST and yet they still want to and now they realised the strong objection and want to engage in public opinion.What a sandiwara!
I do not think this minister or for the matter BN understand the word democracy. FOr them democracy is election in UMNO.
Actually you bloggers can have a poll to just get public opinion.
Remember the ISA poll?
Thanks.
Khoo,
Nazri is an idiot. He is nowhere compared to you in brain matter.
He is a clown who is a minister because he is a faithful Malay to the PM.
To such ministers, authority means arrogance and the right to preach, punish and condemn the people. They think they have monopoly to truth.
Hi Pat,
How many of the government ministers do you know has been making sense in what they say? I'm still cracking my head to try and recall one!
It's only after they are no more in authority that they are capable of saying something sensible.
So if we wish for them to make sense of themselves, make sure they are not in government anymore.
mycuntree
"If you want to ask the rakyat (for their opinion), you take the matter to Parliament. We are the their representatives."
If all MPs asked the people in their area, I am 100% sure all MPs will not get more than 10% approval from the people in their area. This GST thingie is what the BN wanted, not the people who voted for BN wanted. Tax consultants are very happy with GST.
Cannot imagine the tax consultation, implementation and GST compliance fees that the tax "con"sultants can charge.
Minister with peanut size brain. This is Bolehland! Apa pun BOLEH!
It is not a balanced voice in Parliament !
Over 80,000 people represented by one voice whereas only 8000 people is also represented by one vote in Parliament. Is this democracy or better still this is 'Democracy' of Malaysia !
GST is an important tax, which affects every citizen of the country. The effects and ramifications are undoubtedly going to ripple into wider consequences.
The Rakyat should be properly and adequately informed and explained on the GST.
I agree to a referendum to be held on this new tax. Let the people decide on its implementation. Please do not ram the thing down our throat.
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