Malaysia: Date importer sues government for discrimination
Former Bukit Gelugor by-election candidate Abu Backer Sidek said he would name the Royal Customs Department and Finance Ministry as defendants.
He said to impose GST on dates was unfair, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
“I have personally brought samples of dates to Customs officers to show them that dates are not processed and are fresh from the palm.
“I have also invited the officers to my dates packaging centre in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
“GST should not be imposed on dates as it is a Sunnah food recommended by Prophet Muhammad and consumed by Muslims at large,” he said in a statement.
Backer said according to the Customs Department’s latest zero-rated products list, mandarin oranges are listed on it. “Is this not discrimination against Muslims, when mandarin oranges are zero-rated and dates are taxed.
“I have written to the prime minister and officials at the Finance Ministry and Customs Department, but my appeal was rejected with unreasonable answers.
“Does the government want to help Muslims or would it rather continue to spew political rhetoric?”
According to the Customs Department’s GST Sundries Book 2016, GST is imposed on dried dates while fresh dates are exempted from the tax.
Source: www.freemalaysiatoday.com
