__full.jpg)
FORMER prime minister Najib Razak today suggested that the Pakatan Harapan government had used up the RM18 billion goods and services tax (GST) refunds and was accusing the former administration of stealing it.
He said that PH could have used up the consolidated trust funds for government expenses after it had zero-rated the GST since June 1.
“What has possibly happened is that when the PH government ‘zerorised’ GST on June 1, 2018, businesses were able to claim their tax refunds immediately, whether they made sales or otherwise.
“Because the PH administration had lost its income for three months when GST was zero-rated and SST was not yet implemented, the government could have spent the money from the trust funds which was meant for tax refunds.
“As a result, the PH government faced difficulties in paying the refunds and immediately needed someone to blame for it,” said Najib in a statement on his Facebook.
The former finance minister also said current Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s claims that the money had been “robbed” by the previous administration was baseless.
He said that all GST collections were put into a consolidated account and from there monthly refunds were made through a trust account based on monthly needs.
“This is in accordance with the law and fulfils the requirements of GST Act 2014. Lim was in Parliament when this law was debated, surely he is aware of these provisions,” said Najib.
“As usual, they are blaming everything on BN although this is the PH government’s mistake.”
The Pekan MP said that he was ready to cooperate with investigations undertaken by the authorities based on police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) reports lodged.
Lim said on Tuesday that RM18 billion in GST refunds had gone “missing” under the previous government.
Former secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, who was replaced after PH formed the government, has denied the missing funds, insisting that all GST proceeds had been transferred to a consolidated fund.
To date, Rembau MP and former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has lodged a police report calling for investigations in to the matter, while Irwan today also lodged a report with MACC.
Earlier today, Customs director-general Subromaniam Tholasy said that it was not RM18 billion but RM19.4 billion that was missing from the GST refunds account.
“As of May 31, 2015, the trust fund still needs and is short of the balance to make GST refunds amounting to RM19.4 billion,” Subromaniam said in a statement today. – August 10, 2018.
History, propaganda are no bedfellows
Penang Institute wants to draw locals back to lit fest
Honouring the spirit of Malaysia 1963
Umno bukan lagi pemain politik negara, kata penganalisis
Comments
Posted 7 years ago by Ali Khan · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by Azis Yusoff · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by Richard L · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply
Only a crook can think like a crook!
Only now the BN leadership realises that any association with the crook is detrimental to the coalition!
Posted 7 years ago by Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by CHEE Meng Ng · Reply