AN opposition MP has accused the Inland Revenue Board of being the government’s agents to squeeze money from the people to make up for the funds wasted by 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) said the government was now short of funds as a result of administrative leakages and the 1MDB scandal.

“Because the government is now out of money, IRB is the agency used to squeeze taxes from the people.

“No matter how much taxes we pay, it will not solve the problem as leakages are still widespread,” Chong said during the debate on the Income Tax Bill (ammendments) 2017 in Parliament today.

He said IRB should not assume “everyone is a criminal”.

“We pay our taxes, but IRB should be more humane in its collection methods.

“Do not assume people are criminals, especially elderly pensioners. They have served the country.”

Deputy Finance Minister I Othman Aziz refuted Chong’s claims, saying that IRB sought to only raise awareness on the need to pay taxes.

“On IRB’s methods seen to be squeezing the people, I view IRB’s actions in the context of raising awareness among the people that they have to pay their taxes.

“If there is a problem, IRB will help,” he said, but acknowledged that there were grumbles from the people similar to what was raised by Chong.

Othman, who is Jerlun MP, said IRB ensured that only eligible people would be taxed.

“We are not squeezing the people. IRB strives to ensure that there are no tax dodgers.” –  November 29, 2017.