PUBLIC Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Ronald Kiandee said he would initiate an investigation into the RM18 billion in goods and services tax (GST) refunds which the government said went missing under the previous Barisan Nasional administration.

Kiandee said he will raise the matter under Standing Order 77(1) and have proceedings on the funds.

“As the new PAC chairman, I will suggest the matter under Standing Order 77(1) and will have proceedings on the RM18 billion said to have gone missing,” he said at Parliament’s lobby today.

Under Standing Order 77(1), PAC has the power to obtain witnesses and documents relevant to its investigations.

Kiandee said all this in a press conference today, with a few Barisan Nasional lawmakers who also urged for an investigation the matter.

Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin had also lodged a police report on the alleged missing GST refunds today. 

Kiandee said the word “robbed” was a huge allegation.

“When the allegation was made yesterday, we decided that the internal investigation to done by the Finance Ministry would not be sufficient because robbery is a crime,” he said.

He said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng could not give the details on the “missing” refunds, such as if it was caused by customs guidelines not being adhered to. 

“It is a serious allegation without accurate fact when he himself cannot answer on the details.

“If there really was misappropriation and the money was not returned to vendors as input tax credit, those who made the decision should be brought to justice,” he added. 

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

Lim said the funds should have been returned to businesses two weeks after they filed their claims. 

Among the names that Khairy mentioned to be investigated included the former finance minister, the ministry’s officers, as well as the agency.  – August 9, 2018.