{
  "id": 6724377,
  "title": "Wee backs Zahid's call to bring back GST",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/wee-backs-zahids-call-to-bring-back-gst",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T06:40:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1530481/wee-backs-zahids-call-bring-back-gst"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has expressed support for Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's proposal to reintroduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Wee argued that a hybrid system combining GST with the Sales and Service Tax (SST) would not work due to their differing tax concepts. Following Zahid's policy speech at the 2026 Umno General Assembly, Wee emphasized the need for a decisive decision, warning that wavering would result in a suboptimal hybrid system. He reiterated his long-standing advocacy for GST and stated that its reinstatement should be a common goal for all Barisan Nasional component parties to increase government revenue. A Finance Ministry publication comparing both taxes across eight aspects concluded that GST was superior. Wee also acknowledged Zahid's speech as a clear articulation of Umno's direction, noting that his proposed \"grand collaboration\" reflected contemporary political realities. The GST, introduced in 2015, was abolished in 2018 and replaced with SST.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has backed Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s call to reinstate the Goods and Services Tax (GST).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}