Telcos to charge 6% service tax on prepaid purchases from Sept 15

From Sept 15, telecommunication companies (telcos) will cease to absorb the 6% service tax on mobile prepaid services and customers would have to bear the extra cost.

In a joint statement today, eight telco providers announced that the tax will be applicable to purchases of pre-paid reloads and pre-paid starter/SIM packs and pre-paid customers were informed via SMS starting at noon.

The telcos are Celcom Axiata Bhd, Maxis Bhd, DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd, Tune Talk Sdn Bhd, Merchantrade Asia Sdn Bhd, Salamfone Sdn Bhd, XOX Bhd and IMEtel.

For national security, Khairy defends keeping arms purchases top secret

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has declared support for a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, but stressed last night that several areas needed to be excluded in the interest of national security, such as defence procurements.

He pointed out that “no country will disclose specifications” of their military hardware due to security concerns.