BUKIT MERTAJAM: Shellfish and seafood are zero-rated under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as they are unprocessed fresh produce.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong said many had questioned why lobster, sea cucumber and Marble Goby (soon hock) fish are zero-rated, while instant noodle is GST-rated.

“Unprocessed shellfish and seafood are zero-rated, just the same as local and imported fruits and vegetables,” Chua said at an MCA get-together dinner in Kampung Paya, Jalan Tanah Liat here last night.

“Although GST is not perfect, it is a transparent tax and our country’s zero-rated and GST-exempted list is the longest in the world.

“According to a research in Singapore, almost 80% of GST in the country is from high income families, foreign workers and tourists,” he said.

He said there might be confusion over GST, but it was normal as many countries had taken between six months and a year to ensure everything was in order and for the people to get used to the system.

Also present were MCA vice-president Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, Penang Barisan Nasional chairman Teng Chang Yeow and Penang MCA deputy chairman Tan Teik Cheng.-thestar