From the budget:
A SERVICE tax of RM50 will be imposed on each principal credit card every year beginning Jan 1.
For every supplementary card, a RM25 service tax will be charged yearly.
This is a personal blog.
Budget 2009 is a national thing.
But it can be pretty personal, at times.
Unlike budget of the yesteryears, in the midst of crisis, some decisions can be pretty important. Though, some decisions can be just as petty and unimportant, yet manage to hog the limelight.
It is just like a cartoon strip of Dilbert that was to me, rather amusing.
It was the boss, upon discovering the global economic on the recovery track and quickly send out memo to ask all employees to wear mickey mouse nose to work. And all the employees started praising the boss for such a ‘creative’ method of stimulating the economy.
Main thing on everyone’s mind is about the taxes. Just like how in the fairy tales of olden days, when the king would stand out of the balcony of the tall huge castle and just after the trumpets alerted all his people, his loyal servant would shout “Hear ye, hear ye, the tax raise/reduce by x numbers of gold/silver (or whatever currency)”.
If one is myopic enough, one will prematurely hold themselves in a joyous mood as numero uno announced the tax reduction and rebates with a smirk on his face.
The endorphin rush proves to be just temporary as the new (correct me if I am wrong) tax on credit card was served up on the table.
Previously, we have what we called as ‘sin’ taxes, where usage of alcohol and cigarettes are indirectly discouraged through the increase of their price indirectly through the increase in tax. It is something that those who shun those substances would cheer about. But then again, how far it really crunches down the number of alcohol or cigarettes sales or how far it has deter people from ‘sinning’ is something else to ponder upon. If it backfired, probably it is creating a chain reaction of sinners creating more sins to gather enough wealth to support those sinful activities.
But this year, there are no sin taxes, except for credit card taxation.
Is credit card the new sin?
Come to think about it. Having a credit card and using it every times, we’re creating mini debt. And by owning multiple credit cards, it is like having debts all around us. A familiar phrase comes to mind – kad kredit keliling pinggang, hutang keliling pinggang.
Then, comes the 2nd question.
Why Bank Negara did not stop the issuance of the astronomical numbers credit cards in the first place, when they have perfect autonomy to do so, rather than making us cancel now by imposing taxes?
If you go shopping in the mall, or go to Tesco, or any public places, I am sure you’ll see armies of credit card sales people, from different banks, offering different types of free gifts and wearing attires of different level of sexiness.
And the application process is faster than passing a toll with Touch n’ Go. OK, I am exaggerating. Nevertheless, it is really easy. Photocopy IC, previous credit cards, fill few particulars – you’re done. Almost like the Drive-through McD.
Some people may be wondering. The economy is bad. Everyone is saving up the bucks.
Why do banks want to keep giving people loan in the form of credit cards?
Alright, before the 2nd question is over, another question arises pulak.
First, we must understand the reason behind our economic crisis. Actually, we don’t have one. The
Not wanting to be end up like the
Therefore, the other way for the bank to cari makan is through credit cards.
A bit, a bit from a lot, a lot of people remain a very profitable business.
There are several reasons why one would want to have a credit card, or in this generation, few credit cards.
Unlike olden days, credit cards are markers of high status. Everyone around you look at you like you’re a walking beefcake, selected target for robbery. They know you’re rich. Some say, the more credit cards you have, the more wind you have blowing behind you.
Now, it is a norm. And only an idiotic moronic burglar would mug you because those cards can be cancelled instantaneously (1 phone call away) and with the credit cards, you’re definitely not obliged to carry your whole bank account cash with you wherever you go.
In addition, the latest trend, the credit card seconds as loyalty card, promising rebates after rebates. Hence, one pays less with cards, pays more with cash. Shell, Giant, Tesco – just to name some of the giants associated with credit cards promoting smart consumerism.
Not only that, furnitures, electric appliances, electronic equipments, jewellery, gadgets and etc can be paid in installment with discount or zero interest through cards.
To the middle class, paying in full can be easily done. But lower income group with liabilities all around, at times, depends on the cards, to get necessary furnitures or appliances.
What’s more, credit card also seconds as bait. Yes, bait.
Now that 11million credit cards is finally out, it is time to tax each of them.
Like I said, a bit, a bit from a lot, a lot of people remain a very profitable scamming of the rakyat.
making highways into the pockets and purses of rakyat.
The astronomical increase in numbers of credit cards being issued doesn’t equal to bad credit management of the rakyat.
Besides, I really don’t see how adding another nominal fee to it would make it any better. Yes, I can cancel my cards to avoid paying them, but what about people, in the midst of their installment of their refrigerator, washing machine and other appliances.
(insert your favourite foul language, here), right?
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