AHMAD Zahid Hamidi today disputed the account of the missing RM18 billion in goods and services tax (GST) refunds, as claimed by Putrajaya.

The opposition leader said the funds went to Treasury’s consolidated account and are only considered stolen if used for illegal purposes.

“If the money was spent on matters that did not follow Treasury regulations, then it was stolen.

“But if the money was spent on projects decided through a budget, then it should be presented to Parliament to be debated,” Zahid said at the Parliament lobby today. 

The Bagan Datuk MP also told the new Pakatan Harapan government not to slander the previous Barisan Nasional government.

“The best way is to resolve it and not play the blame game.”

Zahid also said the government should focus on solving the matters regarding the sales and services tax (SST) which it wants to implement.

“If the implementation of SST is the new approach, then they should focus on it.

“(They) should act as the government and not like an opposition.”

Yesterday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said a total of RM18 billion was lost under the previous BN administration.

Lim said the funds should have been returned to businesses two weeks after they filed their claims. – August 9, 2018.