KUALA LUMPUR: A bewildered Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong is questioning why he received a lawyer's letter from a company for raising the issue of imported eggs in Parliament recently.
"I have spoken at length about chickens and eggs and do not want to talk more about it as the minister said that a subsidy will be provided.
"The only thing is that I am bewildered why I received a letter from a lawyer representing the import company for speaking up about it.
"That is something I don't understand and why am I being told not to do so. I will respond to this on my Facebook.
"This (Dewan Rakyat) is where as elected representatives, we are called upon to voice issues affecting the rakyat. What wrong did I do when this is my floor?" the Ayer Hitam MP said when debating Budget 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Feb 28).
Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) then stood up to say that Dr Wee had asked Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu last week in the Dewan Rakyat to name the companies importing the chicken eggs from India and if they were given any help in the matter.
"I did not even mention the name of the company and I am not interested to know.
"You can ask the minister if you want to know the name of the company and if there were elements of subsidies.
"Didn't mention also got sued. I also don't know what is going on here," a bemused Dr Wee said amid chuckles from the floor.
Last Wednesday (Feb 22), Dr Wee, when debating the motion of thanks on the Royal Address, warned that the government would face a barrage of criticism if the chicken egg shortage was not resolved as Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri drew near.
The MCA president also brought out three different eggs, one from India, a locally produced regular egg, and an Omega 3-enriched egg to show their size difference and cost.
On a separate matter, Dr Wee said that more clarification should be given on the definition of increasing taxes on luxury goods, which is akin to a form of Goods and Services Tax (GST).
He voiced concern that the imposition of such higher taxes on luxury goods would stifle the tourism industry.
He noted that under the previous GST, some 44% refund claims were for luxury goods bought by tourists from China.
"They go to (shopping centres) and buy five watches and handbags.
"We want them to come here not merely to buy bags but what we want is the RM80bil spillover effect from the tourism industry. Don't kill the goose that lays the golden egg," he said.
Dr Wee also urged the government to be cautious with regard to the proposed implementation of capital gains tax because it could result in outflow of investment from the country.
He said that more engagement sessions should be held with stakeholders on the matter.
@drweekasiong CGT, CUKAI BARANGAN MEWAH, CUKAI PENDAPATAN LEBIH TINGGI? Saya faham kerajaan juga perlu memungut hasil cukai untuk pendapatan negara. Namun, setiap pelaksanaan sistem percukaian ini perlu diteliti secara mendalam melibatkan pelbagai pihak berkepentingan untuk memastikan keputusan yang dibuat itu mengambil kira pandangan semua. __ CGT, LUXURY GOOD TAX, HIGHER INCOME TAX While the Government needs to widen tax revenue, we need an in-depth study on the tax system that involves important stakeholders to ensure that the people’s views are taken into consideration before any major decisions are made. #Belanjawan2023 #DewanRakyat #WeeCare ♬ original sound - DrWeeKaSiong
