Telecommunication companies will give rebates to Malaysian prepaid customers from Jan 1 until Dec 31, 2016.

The Communication and Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM) in a statement today said the rebate, equivalent to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) amount, would be credited directly to customers' prepaid accounts in line with the government's announcement during Budget 2016 in October.

"This means a customer who tops up RM10 will initially get an airtime of RM9.43 as the six per cent GST will be deducted from the top-up.

"The customer will receive a rebate of RM0.57 within 24 hours. The GST paid by customers will be collected and remitted to Royal Malaysian Customs, in accordance with the GST Law and guidelines for all goods and services consumed," it added.