BN's Sepanggar MP Jumat Idris has lamented the costly impact of the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) on health care services after having to fork out RM1,200 for it.
 
Jumat said he was billed the amount after taking his son to a private hospital for treatment.
 
"Consultation cost was imposed with a six percent (GST) and when paying for treatment cost, it was another six percent.
 
"My son was admitted for a nerve disease and curved spine. The treatment cost for the nerve disease alone was RM20,000 and the GST was RM1,200.
 
"Other bills have yet to come but I already have to pay RM5,000 today. It is truly a burden to the rakyat," he said in a Facebook posting.
 
As such, Jumat said he understood the rakyat's burden in facing the GST and pledged to to take the matter up in the coming Parliament session.
 
"This May I have go shout in Parliament," said the parliamentarian from Sabah.
 
Ironically, according to parliamentary records, Jumat voted in favour of the Goods and Services Tax Bill which was passed on April 7, 2014.
 
GST came into effect on April 1 this year at an initial rate of six percent.

A coalition of civil society groups are organising a mass rally in Kuala Lumpur next Friday to protest against the new tax.