Traditional medicine practitioners upset with GST imposed on TCM

Oriental Daily News, October 15, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR 14/10 – The Federation of Chinese Physicians and Medicine Dealers Association of Malaysia (FCPMDAM) is disappointed that traditional medicine will not be exempted from GST and will voice disagreement together with the traditional medicine practitioners of other races.

FCPMDAM secretary Kerk Ee Chan said the Association is planning to hold a dialogue with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Subramaniam soon to reflect the disagreement of the traditional medicine practitioners and to request the Ministry to review the decision.

“The government allows western medicine to be exempted from GST but denied the tax exemption on traditional medicine that has been making the same contribution to the medical sector. We will be initiating a movement to show our disagreement to government with a stance.”

Kerk Ee Chan said the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are disappointed and regret after learning about the government’s decision to exclude traditional Chinese medicine from the GST exemption list.

“This decision is not only affecting the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, the Malay and Indian traditional medicine practitioners will also be impacted, our Association is ready to hold a discussion with them in the near future.”

“The traditional Chinese medicine’s significant contribution to the country’s medical sectors is recognised by the people. Traditional Chinese medicine has been caring for the nation’s well-being and save a huge amount of expenses for the Health Ministry.”

He added that most importantly, the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have been treating the people’s illness but the government is not appreciative of their role and adding more burden on them and the consumers.

“FCPMDAM plans to meet with the Health Minister and convey the traditional medicine practitioners’ message and thoughts to the Minister as well as request for the decision to be reviewed so that the people will enjoy low-cost medical care and the nation will remain healthy.”

The Malaysian government had just announced the GST-exempt list in which traditional medicines were excluded. The traditional medicine practitioners expect a 6% to 10% increase in traditional Chinese medicine prices next year.

Original Source: 业者不满传统医药需缴GST