Netizens ridicule GST music video by Customs

BY JULIA YEOW, NEWS EDITOR

Published: 27 March 2015 9:05 PM

Customs Department's pro-GST video on YouTube is drawing ridicule over its content.A music video created by the Customs Department hailing the virtues of implementing the goods and services tax (GST) has gone viral, with netizens flaying the effort as "sad", "cheesy" and "reminiscent of the 1970s".

"Actors" in the GST video, who appear to be Customs officers, are seen happily dancing along to a rather catchy tune, which sings of how GST "will help make the country more competent" and "lead us to achieve Vision 2020".

The video comes complete with comic visuals assuring the public that "not everything will be taxed".

Comments posted on YouTube in response to the video have ranged from incredulity to outright anger.

"Never thought I'd see the day when people would be singing in happiness to pay extra for stuff... LOL...", wrote one user Casey Charles, while Jemang 71 said "Macam lagu tadika anak aku je" (Sounds just like my child's kindergarten song).

The music video is one of the many efforts by the government to try and convince Malaysians that the implementation of GST on April 1 will have little effect to the cost of living.

However, most are not convinced, and the past week has seen 25 activists arrested for taking part in an anti-GST protest outside the customs department in Kuala Lumpur. As of Friday, all 25 have been released.

Public confusion and panic-buying has also been rising, with Malaysians heading to hypermarkets to try and store up on essential goods ahead a perceived price increase from April 1. – March 27, 2015.