{
  "id": 12667272,
  "title": "Bersama cadang GST 5%, rombak bantuan tunai dalam belanjawan bayangan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/bersama-cadang-gst-5-rombak-bantuan-tunai-dalam-belanjawan-bayangan",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-07T16:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/10/08/bersama-cadang-gst-5-rombak-bantuan-tunai-dalam-belanjawan-bayangan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bersama, a political party, has unveiled a national budget projection featuring a modified Goods and Services Tax (GST) at a 5% rate, along with the replacement of certain cash assistance schemes with monthly payouts. The party claims that maintaining the GST rate at 5% for a decade would provide stability for households and businesses, while also mitigating the impact of GST on future inflation.\n\nAccording to Bersama's estimates, a 5% GST would generate around RM76.1 billion annually, constituting 3.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This amount surpasses the projected RM59.4 billion from a 6% GST under the Sales and Services Tax (SST) in 2026, resulting in an additional RM16.7 billion in revenue. The party highlights this surplus in their budget proposal.\n\nBersama suggests that the cash assistance programs Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) should be replaced with a RM200 monthly stipend for 60% of the population living below the poverty line (B60). Additionally, the party proposes that every Malaysian child under 18 years old receive RM50 monthly, limited to five children per household, amounting to a maximum of RM250 monthly or RM3,000 annually per household.\n\nThe party also recommends that the government investigate the proposals and framework for the Electronic Payment Receipt Tax (REPT) between 2027 and 2029. During this period, no REPT will be imposed. If the framework proves feasible, REPT may commence in 2030 at a rate of 0.5%. At this rate, REPT has the potential to generate approximately RM9.1 billion annually, before accounting for exemptions and behavioral changes. The party believes these measures could help Malaysia reduce its fiscal deficit and achieve a surplus by 2035, a first since 1997.",
  "summary": "GST 5% dan bantuan bersasar akan mengukuhkan perlindungan sosial sambil menurunkan defisit fiskal dalam tempoh sedekad akan datang.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Bersama cadang GST 5%, rombak bantuan tunai dalam belanjawan bayangan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/bersama-cadang-gst-5-rombak-bantuan-tunai-dalam-belanjawan-bayangan-12669808",
        "published": "2026-10-07T16:02:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}