SHAH ALAM, 22 Aug: The implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) which will come into force soon will cause many households to be categorised under the hardcore poor group and lower the purchasing power of Malaysians.
The Vice President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Nurul Izzah Anwar, said that housewives will be affected by the GST as they are responsible for managing family expenses.
Based on the 2013 statistics, 3.37 million Malaysian women are categorised as full-time housewives and their sacrifices in managing their families cannot be underestimated.
“It should be noted that for housewives who manage family expenses, certainly issues like the GST, which will be introduced in 2015, will provide a lasting effect.
“As a political party that is concerned about the potential difficulties faced by the people, we have to think of ways to ensure that only a minimal impact is felt, especially for housewives and single mothers,” she said.
She said this in front of over 200 attendees at the Women’s Annual National Congress 2014 at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam today.
Elaborating, Izzah said that she will use the idea of the founder of Grameen Bank, Professor Muhammad Yunus, in giving microcredit loans to housewives to conduct business.
She said that it is done through the launch of the Women Entrepreneur’s Scheme in Lembah Pantai through the TechOutreach non-governmental organisation (NGO) which gives interest-free loans as well as entrepreneurship training to selected women.
“Some ask why only women (receive the benefit) and we answer that it is because women are the most intelligent in managing expenses and finances.
“Giving out loans like this is part of my effort to give recognition to women as the main economic driving force in the family,” she said.
NS