PUTRAJAYA: The government is open to criticisms over the expansion of the Sales and Service Tax (SST), but such views must be based on facts, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly today, Anwar said the Cabinet's decision to expand the SST was made carefully to ensure it does not burden the majority of the people.

He also said student groups had claimed that electricity tariffs had increased under the new tax structure, but reiterated that tariff adjustments only affect the top 10 to 15 per cent of users.

"I do not quite understand. Is it true that students are affected? If universities are imposing electricity charges on students, and if that is accurate, then we must look into it but from what I understand, public universities are exempted.

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"Issues like this are sometimes widely circulated, and freedom has turned into a space for slander and insults.

"That is why I encourage everyone, especially our younger generation, to share accurate facts. I have no issue with people criticising or voicing concerns," he said.

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