A month after GST: Custom's mystery shopper to look into complaints

A month after the government implemented the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) has decided to set up a 'mystery shopper' initiative.

The ‘mystery shopper’, who will be the Customs department officers, would look into the complaints by the public on the new tax regime.

According to Customs GST director, Datuk Subromaniam Tholasy, the operation will involve some 3,000 of its officers.

“The advisory period is over, so we are beginning to take action,” he told Astro AWANI in a phone interview.

He said the officers will disguise themselves as shoppers and go to the shops and supermarkets to check for themselves if they had violated GST-related laws and regulations.

“If the traders had violated regulations, actions will be taken,” Subromaniam warned.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek ha also warned of stern action to be taken against traders who attempt to sabotage implementation of GST.

He had said that the ministry and the police were monitoring the traders concerned.

READ: Stern action against traders who attempt to sabotage GST - Hasan

Earlier, Subromaniam had said that since the implementation of the GST, a total of 5,000 complaints were received by the department.

Of the complaints, most were about price differences and price hikes.

READ: A month after GST: Almost 5,000 complaints received - Customs

READ: Dr Wan Azizah calls for exemption of GST on children's goods

PHOTO GALLERY: How GST affects you in Malaysia

[TERKINI] Malaysia mengalu-alukan resolusi UNGA

Malaysia mengalu-alukan penerimaan pakai Resolusi Perhimpunan Agung Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNGA) pada Sidang Khas Darurat Kesepuluh yang disambung semula pada 10 Mei 2024.

Putrajaya dalam satu kenyataan pada Sabtu berkata, Malaysia bersama dengan 77 Negara Anggota, mengundi dan menyokong Resolusi itu, sejajar dengan pendiriannya yang tidak berbelah bahagi dan telah lama berpegang pada perjuangan Palestin.

Sebuah video serangan ke atas Israel dikeluarkan Hamas

Sebuah rakaman dikeluarkan Hamas pada Jumaat, mendakwa melakukan serangan ke atas tentera Israel di kawasan kejiranan di Bandar Gaza dan melepaskan bom di Beersheba, Israel.

Sebuah kenyataan pada video yang disiarkan di Telegram oleh Sayap Bersenjata Hamas, menunjukkan serangan ke atas sekumpulan penembak tepat Israel di selatan kejiranan Al-Zaytoun di Bandar Gaza dan pengeboman ke atas "bandar yang diduduki" Beersheba.