taken from the Star
Credit card agents cry foul over service charge planApplications for new credit cards have dropped by 80% following the Government’s announcement of a RM50 service tax on each card starting next year.
(yeah... credit card agent are starting to look for new job)The service tax, which was announced during the tabling of the Budget on Oct 23, is likely to affect more than 5,000 credit card agents and 18 credit card issuers.
With their rice bowls on the line, the agents have urge the Government to reconsider the proposal.
(oh yeah... unemployment rate increasing lo... more people looking for new job..)Some of the representatives from over 40 sales agencies holding up credit cards during the joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Francis Teow, who runs a credit card sales agency in Penang, said banks would not be keen to maintain their large sales force if they were not confident of achieving the desired sales target when the RM50 tax was enforced.
Teow and representatives from over 40 credit card sales agencies highlighted their concerns in a joint press conference here yesterday.
As for the Government’s argument that the RM50 was seen as a way to encourage prudent use of finances, Teow said a better alternative would be to raise the interest on the minimum monthly repayment from the current 5% to 20%.
(i guess in view that the country's main income source - petroleum income tax has been declining and going into its end soon... and looking at the continous increasing government spending, the government has no choice but to look for other ways to create other new income source for the country. So i guess all the inteligent people in the government body had come together to prosper the country in order for MALAYsia to go move Into High Income Economy and they had no choice but to get the wool from the sheep.)“However, the Government is well aware there are many cardholders with substantial amount of outstanding balances in their credit cards. And if they increase the monthly minimum payment, many will default payment and non-performing loans will increase,”
(meaning we cant simply ask whether the Rakyat you cut your credit card already??)Credit card sales agency director H.K. Tan said the service tax would not only have a negative impact on sales agents but also on card holders as well.
"The newly imposed service tax will affect low and middle-class consumers. Many can’t settle their outstanding bills, imagine having to fork out another RM50 for service tax,”
Credit card consultant Kevin Choong said it was not viable to burden the industry that had done much for consumers with the new tax.
“Credit cards have reduced the need to borrow from loan sharks. Imagine, people who do not have credit cards to avoid paying the RM50 service tax, they may need to carry a lot of cash and they will become easy target for thieves. Or, if in case of an accident in the middle of the night and you need to be admitted into the hospital, the credit card provides you with financial security,”
well in conclusion. MALAYsia is a High Income Economy gonna be country... so the Rakyat need to start learn how to be the people of High Income economy gonna spend by start paying service tax of RM 50 each year :)
