Same notion, different nation

The VAT (value-added tax) in the UK has just been increased, or maybe I should say reverted back to 17.5 %.

I was actually surprised that there did not seem to be much on this issue in the news. I mean, if that was to happen in Malaysia, it would have been much publicised and there would be much noise and protest.

We are talking about a country which does not have any real form of identification for its citizens besides the passport. I asked the locals here and they gave me quite a big reaction to the idea of having an identity card system because it is likened to being spied by the government! It is just unacceptable here! Therefore, I had expected them to protest real hard on a tax increase.

However, when I mentioned this to a Swedish friend, he told me that in his country, political parties that proposed tax increase were usually the crowd favourite and would eventually win in the election.



Why?



Because tax increase means improvement in the administrative system delivery and better services and facilities. Everything that goes in comes out.



Guess there is still a lot to be learnt by our government.