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Petition Appeal to make Hearing Aids and Hearing Implants to be Zero Rated GST.

Petition Appeal to make Hearing Aids and Hearing Implants to be Zero Rated GST.

445 signatures 55 to reach 500
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Started by President Malaysian National Society of Audiologists 11 years, 6 months ago

Dear friends, colleagues and members of the public,


With the upcoming Government Service and Goods Tax (GST) implementation in Malaysia, there will be an impact on Hearing Aids as well as Hearing Implants pricing. This would indirectly affect the hearing impaired individuals at large. In order that the hearing impaired shall not be further burdened by this extra tax imposed, the Malaysian National Society of Audiologists (MANSA) is starting an initiative to appeal to the Government for Hearing Aids and Hearing Implants to be 0% GST rated.


2. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 5 % of the population is afflicted with hearing impairment. A hearing loss could be congenital (meaning you are born with it) or acquired. Malaysia has moved forward with a good health care system and we are now practically screening all the babies born for any hearing problem. With early intervention, we are enabling individuals born with a hearing loss to be in normal schools. However, they would require the use of Hearing Aids or Hearing Implants. The use of these devices is for a lifetime and the current costs of these devices are generally very expensive. Not every member of the public is eligible to any form of funding. In general, it is costly to purchase Hearing Aids and even more costly for Hearing Implants. With the implementation of GST, if they are made to pay GST at a standard rate, they will need to pay an extra of RM60.00 in tax for every RM1000.00 that they pay for a hearing aid. The average cost in general to purchase a Hearing Aid is RM 3000.00. The hearing aid usually could only be used up to 5-7 years. The average cost of a Hearing Implant is RM 60 000.00.


3. Individuals with hearing impairment on average earn less than their hearing peers and research has shown that they are still avoiding getting help to overcome their hearing difficulties with the use of hearing aids due to the stigma associated with a hearing loss. By imposing extra tax, it will only deter them further and the country will be at a losing end as we would lose out in their work force contributions.


4. In view of the extra burden that we foresee will befall those who are unfortunate to have hearing impairment, we seek your support in our campaign to make all hearing aids and hearing implants to be 0% rated. We would appreciate if you could help us pass this message to your staff, family members, friends, customers and whoever you may deem fit to support our cause by joining to sign this petition.


5. The collection of names will be done until we reach the targeted signatures. Once completed, MANSA will compile all these names and send an appeal to the relevant government agencies for further action. This will show to the authorities that this appeal has the support of the public and should be considered seriously.

We would like to express our appreciation for your help. Please email to [email protected] if you need additional information or help.


Thank you.


Darleena Abdul Aziz

President

Malaysian National Society of Audiologists (MANSA)


Updates

Reached 250 supporters

February 1, 2015

Reached 100 supporters

January 29, 2015

144 Comments

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Gabby Ramlan
11 years ago Featured

Hearing aid is not a luxury item. It is an aid to improve ones hearing. An hearing is essential and is not a luxury matter.

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Lam Yik Mun
11 years ago Featured

Hearing Aids in Malaysia are not as cheap as it is in other countries. With the implementation of GST on these devices which can help a lot of young children and infants, more families will have a difficult time to get one singel hearing aid. Please do support this petition for the sake of these special people.

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Ng Poh Juan
11 years ago Featured

Hearing impaired patients only would be able to enjoy better life quality when the price of hearing aids and hearing implants are affordable device for them. GST would be an extra burden which would make their life even harder.

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Sia Chai Har
11 years ago Featured

I am a cochlear implant and a hearing aid user. I sincerely hope that the government will take care of the less privileged group of people like me by not imposing GST on the hearing devices. Thank you.

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STEVEN LEE
11 years ago Featured

As an audiologist, I truly support that medical aids should be exempted from GST because the device is meant to help those in trouble, agonising pain. Indeed our country needs more money to promote the economy flow but health related cost is not an option.

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Norilna Afida Ismail
11 years ago Featured

Hearing aid should not be taxed. This would benefit all those kids and give them opportunity to learn same as normal kids.

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Anonymous
11 years ago

I bid no GST on Hearing Aids

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Anonymous
11 years ago

There should be no GST on hearing aids

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