Prime Minister, of Malaysia
From : Eone
Ordinary Joe
Wish # 2
I may not be popular among them, but my wish is for their own goods and sake. I do not have anything against the person as an individual, but what they are doing cause more harm than good, not only for themselves, but also for someone dearest to their heart and society in general. Increase the excise duty for cigarettes, cigar, alcoholic drinks and anything that falls into the category . This shall be applicable to companies who produce, distributes and sells those items. Instead of normal 25 % of corporate income tax, perhaps it is high time to tax them the max of 50-55 % of corporate income tax. My rational is very simple, that those things do more harm than goods to the society in general, and I believe this is against our Vision 2010 and 1Malaysia spirit. How many dies everyday because of cancer, drink and drive related accidents, domestic problems because of addicted to the alcohol and other social problems. The statistics is the proof and increasing. No signs of slowing down.
I am not saying, they the sole cause of the problem, but it is identified and acknowledge as one of the root cause of the problems. By addressing and tackling one of the root cause, more focus on the other root causes. Of course, by increasing the excise duty and tax will not stop people from smoking and drinking, but at the very least will make them think twice before venturing into it.
Surely, it will encourage more illegal and smuggling activities of the related item as these groups will do anything to make sure they are not so called being "discriminated", but through and effective enforcement with the cooperation from the public, this will be addressed. Once they get caught, fine them to the maximum worth to millions instead of few hundred thousands. This will help with the government coffer too.How about those poor farmers that involve in producing this tobacco leaves. My next question, how many of them will be affected out of 27 million of the population ? The next thing to do is to help them venture into more value adding business venture, and help them during the transition period.
It all can be done, but with strong will and determination to make Malaysians a more healthy society, thus reducing the government bills in treating the illness related to those products, and focus on more critical illness.
Frankly, from my observation, by having this Malaysia will not going back to the "Flinstone Age" or " Zaman Batu" and how this will affect tourism dollar ? Do not worry, tourists come to visit Malaysia for something that is not available in their country and something unique and different, that we are offering. They will still survive for few days without cigarette and beer or wine, and my view they will spend whatever the money they have for other things that value adding and value for money. But still, they can still got those at the counter, but a bit more pricey, that is all :)
DISCLAIMER: Notice :Opinions, stories , thoughts expressed are blogger's own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institution or the organizations by which the blogger is employed or any specific person who so ever, either dead or alive.
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