2910) SYARIKAT TELCO UMUM SECARA RASMI SEDIA MANSUHKAN GST PADA KAD PRABAYAR

Syarikat-syarikat telekomunikasi (telco) utama negara menyokong pengumuman kerajaan untuk mengecualikan cukai barang dan perkhidmatan (GST) terhadap perkhidmatan prabayar telefon mulai tahun depan.

Ketiga-tiga telco yang menawarkan perkhidmatan Celcom, Maxis dan Digi menyatakan sokongan terhadap pengumuman Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dalam Bajet 2016 mengenai perkara itu dan memberi jaminan akan melaksanakannya selepas mendapat perincian daripada pihak berkuasa.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Celcom Axiata Bhd., Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly berkata, Celcom sentiasa mendukung agenda transformasi negara bagi menyediakan perkhidmatan komunikasi yang lebih baik dan terjamin untuk pengguna.

“Celcom bersedia untuk mengem­balikan rebat prabayar kepada pengguna seperti mana kami mengutamakan keselesaan dan kepentingan untuk semua rakyat Malaysia,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan akhbar di sini hari ini.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Digi Telecommunications Sdn. Bhd., Albern Murty pula berkata, pengumuman yang dibuat oleh Perdana Menteri ketika membentangkan Bajet 2016 itu akan diteliti dan dilaksanakan sewajarnya.

“Digi komited untuk menyediakan perkhidmatan komunikasi terbaik kepada setiap pelanggan kami.

“Jika Perdana Menteri sudah umumkan begitu (rebat prabayar akan dikembalikan kepada pengguna), maka kami akan melaksanakannya dengan baik,” katanya dalam satu ke­nyataan.

Dalam pembentangan Bajet 2016 pada Jumaat lalu, Najib mengumumkan bahawa perkhidmatan prabayar telefon akan dike­cualikan GST dan pengguna akan menerima kembali rebat bersamaan dengan jumlah GST dibayar.

Mengulas lanjut, Albern menyatakan bahawa Digi akan meneliti kaedah terbaik untuk mengembalikan semula rebat kepada pengguna bagi memastikan pelaksanaannya adalah menyeluruh.

“Digi akan mengadakan perbincangan dengan Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM) untuk meneliti kaedah terbaik dan selepas keputusan diperoleh, kami akan maklumkan kepada pengguna,” ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Maxis Berhad, Morten Lundal berkata, syarikatnya juga akan membincangkan mekanisme pelaksanaan dengan Kementerian Komunikasi dan Multimedia serta SKMM dan akan membuat pengumuman sewajarnya. - UTUSAN ONLINE

2641) THE RAKYAT POST - 15/05/15 - Formula GST Kad Prabayar Tidak Jelas, Mengelirukan – Fomca

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 Mei:

Formula ‘beli RM10 dapat RM10′ yang mana Cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) akan dikenakan ke atas tambah nilai prabayar berdasarkan penggunaan atau ‘usage-base’ tidak jelas dan dilihat boleh mengelirukan pengguna.

Timbalan Presiden Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca), Mohd. Yusof Abdul Rahman berkata pihaknya bimbang sekiranya formula yang dipersetujui oleh kabinet tersebut benar-benar dapat melindungi hak pengguna.

Menurutnya, rata-rata pengguna ketika ini tidak mengetahui apakah bentuk mekanisme yang akan dilaksanakan oleh kerajaan untuk mengenakan GST berdasarkan jumlah penggunaan tersebut.

“Setiap syarikat telekomunikasi (telco) mempunyai sistem dan kadar yang berbeza sama ada untuk panggilan telefon, khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) dan juga data Internet.

“Jadi, kita tidak tahu apakah mekanisme yang akan diguna pakai dan yang paling dibimbangkan ialah caj GST yang akan dikenakan nanti melebihi apa yang pengguna terpaksa bayar pada hari ini,” katanya ketika dihubungi The Rakyat Post di sini hari ini.

Tambah Mohd Yusof, kebanyakan pengguna lebih cenderung kepada kaedah yang mana harga tambah nilai prabayar dijual pada harga RM10 termasuk dengan GST.

Jelasnya, mereka merasakan bahawa mereka membayar pada harga yang sama dan boleh menerima nilai kredit tambah nilai menjadi RM9.43.

Sementara itu, Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan berkata pengumuman yang dibuat oleh kerajaan itu merupakan satu keputusan yang ‘lembik’.

Ujarnya, tidak wajar sama sekali pengguna terpaksa menunggu sehingga enam bulan untuk membolehkan mereka membayar pada nilai formula baharu yang diumumkan oleh Menteri Komunikasi dan Multimedia, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek semalam.

Katanya, kerajaan sepatutnya membuat keputusan yang lebih cenderung kepada pengguna atau rakyat terbanyak dan bukannya terlalu mengikut serta menyebelahi pihak pembekal.

“Syarikat telekomunikasi tidak boleh dibiarkan untuk mengambil kesempatan kerana perkara ini melibatkan kepentingan pengguna di negara ini.

“Kerajaan sepatutnya bertegas dalam perkara ini dan mengarahkan telco untuk melaksanakan formula berkenaan secepat yang mungkin dan bukannya menunggu selama enam bulan,” tegasnya.

Sumber : http://bm.therakyatpost.com/berita/2015/05/15/formula-gst-kad-prabayar-tidak-jelas-mengelirukan-fomca/

2640) THE RAKYAT POST - 15/05/15 - Public Still Baffled Over Prepaid Reload Issue

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15, 2015:

The announcement by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) charge on prepaid reloads, based on usage, has left both consumers and dealers baffled.

This came after Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said GST on prepaid top-ups would be usage-based.

The Cabinet had agreed to the proposal by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry that prepaid top-ups sold at RM10 will retain the amount upon activation and telcos had been given six months to introduce this.

In the meantime, Ahmad Shabery had stated that customers will be charged RM10.60 when buying RM10 reload.

However, a survey by The Rakyat Post around the city showed his message had not been clearly understood by most members of the public and even dealers for lack of written instructions.

One trader, Badrul Jamal, said the government would have to come up with a decision that does not cause confusion to both dealers or consumers.

“We are being scolded by customers due to the issue of GST on prepaid cards as some of the customers still do not clearly understand this tax. This affects our business.”

Badrul said he had decided to only sell prepaid cards issued by only one telecommunications company.

He said this company provided him with the paperwork to make it easier for him to explain the exact charges to customers.

A consumer, who wished to be known as Dhramen, said the decision to pose charges in line with usage was extreme.

“That is ridiculous and troublesome.”

However, another private sector worker, Hafis Othman, 36, said the GST charge  on usage was much better. He said a person might buy RM10 reload but only use up a few ringgit before the expiry of the reload period validity.

“Only when one starts using the service should the GST charge kick in. This to me is the right way to go.”

A private sector worker, who only wished to be known as Nikki, said she had yet to feel the burden as she bought the reloads online.

She said at the moment, the rate remained the same as prior to the implementation of GST. She considered the proposal to charge GST charge on usage to be inconvenient.

“The government must not burden people with a minor issue like this and must let the prepaid rate be as before.”

Student Zhoriif Mustaza, 21, said the charge that would be imposed will not burden him as he used the Internet data plan.

“Now that WhatsApp has a call function, this will only incur data charges and not call charges.

“This will not be a problem to me because as a student, I use data more than I make calls.”

Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) president Datuk Nadzim Johan said he had received many complaints about the confusion among merchants and consumers.

He said the government and telecommunication companies should hold discussions and issue a final statement.

“They have to give examples so that people can understand very clearly.”

He said the issue of prepaid card reloads was a small matter that could be resolved easily.

Sumber : http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/05/15/public-still-baffled-over-prepaid-reload-issue/

2624) MALAY MAIL - 05/05/15 - Consumer Bodies Welcome Ahmad Shabery’s Mobile Prepaid Formula of ‘Buy RM10, Get RM10’

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek yesterday announced the 'buy RM10, get RM10' formula in his effort to resolve the telephone prepaid top-up card issue. — Picture by KE Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — Consumer associations today welcomed the effort by Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek to ensure that consumers can enjoy the purchase of telephone prepaid top-up cards with the formula of “buy RM10, get RM10” worth.

Chief activist of the Muslim Consumers Association Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan in supporting the move, described the formula as apt and fair.

He said this was because most of the prepaid top-up card users were the middle and low-income earners.

“It should be that way; we buy at RM10, we should get RM10 worth. Then only it’s fair and I believe consumers most welcome it if the telco companies accept the offer.

“The prepaid top-up card is also used by many school and university students as they cannot afford to have a postpaid account,” he said when contacted today.

Nadzim said with the arising prepaid top-card issue, it appeared like the telcos were trying to reap as much profit and using the GST (Goods and Services Tax) as an excuse, but ultimately the consumers suffered.

“The Customs Department, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry and the telcos should have met and discussed on this matter before implementing the GST.

“But now it looks like there have been no thorough planning, hence the confusion and conflicting statements from various parties,” he said.

Nadzim, however, praised Ahmad Shabery for apologising and admitting yesterday, the confusion and conflicting statements over the issue while the public was anxious to know the real status as the issue had prolonged.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) secretary, Datuk Paul Selvaraj also supports the formula, saying it was apt in protecting the interest of consumers and should be welcomed by all.

“I support this effort 100 per cent and I believe, the consumers too. No party would lose and what is important is for the government to care for the welfare of consumers,” he said.

Asked what if the telcos rejected the formula, Selvaraj said the government should be stern in dealing with the prepaid top-up card issue and use whatever power it had to resolve it.

“In such matters, don’t always give in to the demands of the telcos because for the government, it is important for the needs of the ‘rakyat’ (people) to come first,” he added.

Yesterday, Ahmad Shabery announced the “buy RM10, get RM10” formula in his effort to resolve the telephone prepaid top-up card issue over RTM’s TV1 live Special Edition programme, ‘Suara Kita Hak Kita’ (Our Voice Our Right).

He said he would forward his stand to the telcos before tabling the outcome to the cabinet for a decision.

Meanwhile, prepaid top-up card user Juliana Abd Kadir, 30, an administrative assistant at Seyakin Holdings Sdn Bhd, said although the additional charges were small, they were still a burden to consumers.

“The charges are RM5.30 for a RM5 pre-paid card, RM10.60 (for RM10), RM31.80 (for RM30), RM53 (for RM50) and RM106 (for RM100). The amounts don’t look much but for the average and low-income earners, they are still a burden, what more with the rising cost of living,” she told Bernama.

Car salesman Saiful Nizam, 35, said the telcos should not impose the additional charge because before this, the tax cost had been borne by the telcos.

“They should find other means to recoup if the GST affects the sale of their prepaid top-up cards,” he said. — Bernama

Sumber : http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/consumer-bodies-welcome-ahmad-shaberys-mobile-prepaid-formula-of-buy-rm10-g

2620) BERNAMA - Consumer Bodies Hail Ahmad Shabery's Formula of Buy RM10, Get RM10

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Consumer associations today welcomed the effort by Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek to ensure that consumers can enjoy the purchase of telephone prepaid top-up cards with the formula of "buy RM10, get RM10" worth.

Chief activist of the Muslim Consumers Association Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan in supporting the move, described the formula as apt and fair.

He said this was because most of the prepaid top-up card users were the middle and low-income earners.

"It should be that way; we buy at RM10, we should get RM10 worth. Then only it's fair and I believe consumers most welcome it if the telco companies accept the offfer.

"The prepaid top-up card is also used by many school and university students as they cannot afford to have a postpaid account," he said when contacted today.

Nadzim said with the arising prepaid top-card issue, it appeared like the telcos were trying to reap as much profit and using the GST (Goods and Services Tax) as an excuse, but ultimately the consumers suffered.

"The Customs Department, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry and the telcos should have met and discussed on this matter before implementing the GST.

"But now it looks like there have been no thorough planning, hence the confusion and conflicting statements from various parties," he said.

Nadzim, however, praised Ahmad Shabery for apologising and admitting yesterday, the confusion and conflicting statements over the issue while the public was anxious to know the real status as the issue had prolonged.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) secretary, Datuk Paul Selvaraj also supports the formula, saying it was apt in protecting the interest of consumers and should be welcomed by all.

"I support this effort 100 per cent and I believe, the consumers too. No party would lose and what is important is for the government to care for the welfare of consumers," he said.

Asked what if the telcos rejected the formula, Selvaraj said the government should be stern in dealing with the prepaid top-up card issue and use whatever power it had to resolve it.

"In such matters, don't always give in to the demands of the telcos because for the government, it is important for the needs of the 'rakyat' (people) to come first," he added.

Yesterday, Ahmad Shabery announced the "buy RM10, get RM10" formula in his effort to resolve the telephone prepaid top-up card issue over RTM's TV1 live Special Edition programme, 'Suara Kita Hak Kita' (Our Voice Our Right).

He said he would forward his stand to the telcos before tabling the outcome to the cabinet for a decision.

Meanwhile, prepaid top-up card user Juliana Abd Kadir, 30, an administrative assistant at Seyakin Holdings Sdn Bhd, said although the additional charges were small, they were still a burden to consumers.

"The charges are RM5.30 for a RM5 pre-paid card, RM10.60 (for RM10), RM31.80 (for RM30), RM53 (for RM50) and RM106 (for RM100). The amounts don't look much but for the average and low-income earners, they are still a burden, what more with the rising cost of living," she told Bernama.

Car salesman Saiful Nizam, 35, said the telcos should not impose the additional charge because before this, the tax cost had been borne by the telcos.

"They should find other means to recoup if the GST affects the sale of their prepaid top-up cards," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Sumber : http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/newsindex.php?id=1131957

2619) SINAR HARIAN - 06/05/15 - Persatuan Pengguna Sokong Formula Beli 10 Dapat 10

KUALA LUMPUR - Usaha Menteri Komunikasi dan Multimedia Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek untuk memastikan pengguna dapat menikmati pembelian kad tambah nilai prabayar telefon dengan formula 'beli RM10, dapat RM10' disambut baik persatuan-persatuan pengguna.

Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM) Datuk Nadzim Johan menyambut baik usaha itu kerana memperlihatkan formula berkenaan wajar dan adil.

Katanya ini kerana sebilangan besar pengguna yang membeli kad tambah nilai prabayar merupakan golongan yang berpendapatan rendah dan sederhana.

"Sepatutnya memang macam itu, kita beli RM10, kita kena dapat nilai RM10, itu baru adil dan saya yakin pengguna juga akan terima baik sekiranya syarikat telco menerima tawaran itu.

"Sebab yang pakai kad prabayar ini kebanyakannya pelajar sekolah, penuntut  universiti, dan orang yang tidak mampu menggunakan perkhidmatan pascabayar," katanya kepada Bernama ketika dihubungi hari ini.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Agung Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna-Pengguna Malaysia (Fomca) Datuk Paul Selvaraj turut bersependapat bahawa formula itu adalah tepat bagi menjaga kepentingan pengguna.

Selvaraj berkata beliau menyokong usaha Ahmad Shabery untuk merealisasikan formula itu yang pastinya akan diterima baik oleh semua orang.

"Saya sokong 100 peratus usaha itu, dan saya yakin para pengguna akan sokong formula tersebut. Ia tidak merugikan sesiapa, yang penting kerajaan mesti menjaga kebajikan pengguna," katanya.

Ditanya jika syarikat telekomunikasi enggan menerima formula itu, Selvaraj berkata kerajaan perlu mengambil tindakan tegas dalam mengatasi isu kemelut kad prabayar ini dan menggunakan apa jua kuasa untuk merealisasikannya.

"Dalam perkara ini, kerajaan kena tegas, dan jangan asyik ikut apa kemahuan syarikat-syarikat telco kerana yang penting kehendak dan kebajikan rakyat mesti didahulukan," katanya.

Semalam, Ahmad Shabery mengumumkan bahawa beliau akan akan berusaha agar pembelian kad tambah nilai prabayar telefon menggunakan formula 'beli RM10, dapat RM10' dalam program Edisi Khas 'Suara Kita Hak Kita' terbitan RTM yang disiarkan secara langsung di TV1.

Katanya pendirian itu akan diketengahkan dalam pertemuannya dengan peneraju syarikat-syarikat telekomunikasi di negara ini sebelum dibawa ke Kabinet untuk keputusan selanjutnya. - Bernama

Sumber : http://www.sinarharian.com.my/hiburan/persatuan-pengguna-sokong-formula-beli-10-dapat-10-1.386924

2618) UTUSAN - 06/05/15 - Kerajaan Perlu Tegas Isu Harga Kad Prabayar

KUALA LUMPUR 5 Mei – Kerajaan diminta bertegas dalam mengekalkan arahan pelaksanaan harga tambah nilai kad prabayar telefon dengan formula ‘beli RM10, dapat RM10’ yang dibuat sejak 1 Mei lalu.

Ketua Aktivis Persatuan Peng­guna Islam Malaysia (PPIM), Datuk Nadzim Johan berkata, kerajaan mempunyai kuasa untuk mengekalkan harga itu walaupun cukai barang dan perkhidmatan (GST) dikenakan.

Menurutnya, Kementerian Komunikasi dan Multimedia harus menggunakan segala bidang kuasa yang ada bagi memastikan pengguna tidak dibebani caj tambahan selepas GST dikenakan.

“Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia yang terletak di bawah kementerian ada kuasa untuk mewujudkan akta terma­suklah mengawal harga dalam isu pembelian kad tambah nilai prabayar telefon.

“Tidak timbul isu bahawa perkara itu mesti dirujuk terlebih dahulu kepada syarikat telekomunikasi. Malah, kerajaan ada kuasa membatalkan lesen syarikat telekomunikasi yang tidak mahu mengikut peraturan,” katanya ketika dihubungi hari ini.

Beliau ditanya berhubung gesaan agar kerajaan bersikap tegas dalam mengekalkan pelaksanaan harga kad tambah nilai prabayar telefon yang telah dibuat itu.

Semalam, Menteri Komunikasi dan Multimedia, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek berkata, beliau akan bertemu dengan ketua-ketua pegawai eksekutif syarikat telekomunikasi bagi membincangkan mengenai perkara itu beberapa hari lagi.

Dalam temu bual rancangan Suara Kita Hak Kita terbitan RTM itu, beliau menjelaskan, kerajaan akan berusaha memastikan rakyat dapat menikmati pembelian kad tambah nilai prabayar telefon dengan formula tersebut.

Kata Nadzim, langkah itu bukan sahaja akan melegakan banyak pihak, malah ia juga akan mengembalikan keyakinan pengguna terhadap kredibiliti dan keprihatinan kerajaan dalam menjaga kebajikan mereka.

“Kerajaan harus ingat bahawa ini adalah permintaan majoriti rakyat dan ia perlu diambil serius kerana mereka akan ‘menterjemahkannya’ dalam kertas undi pada Pilihan Raya Umum akan datang,” ujarnya.

Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA) turut bersetuju agar kerajaan mengekalkan formula ‘beli RM10, dapat RM10’ meskipun terpaksa menggunakan apa juga formula dan mekanisme pelaksanaannya.

Timbalan Presiden FOMCA, Mohd. Yusof Abdul Rahman berkata, kerajaan perlu lebih mengutamakan keluhan majoriti pengguna berbanding syarikat komunikasi yang hanya mengutamakan keuntungan semata-mata.

“Kebanyakan pengguna kad tambah nilai prabayar telefon adalah pelajar dan rakyat yang berpendapatan rendah. Malah, lebih separuh pengguna telefon bimbit di negara ini menggunakan perkhidmatan tersebut,” katanya.

Sumber : http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/nasional/gst-motosikal-kuasa-kecil-perlu-dikaji-1.87915

2617) KOSMO - 06/05/15 - Formula 'Beli RM10, Dapat RM10' Disokong