KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): The deadline to register for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for companies in flood-stricken states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang has been extended from today to the end of next month, Bernama reported.

Customs Department director-general Datuk Seri Khazali Ahmad was quoted as saying that the deadline extension was given to the companies as they were not able to register in time due to the cut in electricty supply and destruction caused by the massive floods in the states.

"However, companies in other states only have until today (Dec 31) to register for GST," he said this after officiating the closing of a basic course programme for 218 customs officers at the department's academy in Bukit Baru here today.

A total of 283,647 companies have signed up for the consumption tax as of Dec 30.

"The number of companies registered for the GST is currently above the government's target of 140,000," Khazali said in the Bernama report.