‘IRB’s RM42b tax collection proves economy is doing well’

JERLUN: The Inland Revenue Board’s (IRB) ability to collect RM42 billion in taxes is proof that the country’s economy is doing well, Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said.

He said it also disproved certain quarters’ claims that the nation was on the brink of bankruptcy.

He said if that was the case, the government wouldn’t be able to pay the monthly salaries of 1.6 million civil servants or increase the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) cash handouts.

Hence, he urged the people to study the facts on the country’s economic situation, instead of being hoodwinked by certain quarters, especially the opposition, who claimed that the government’s coffers were depleting.

He said the claim was baseless as the government had enhanced the social safety net programmes for needy groups.

“If the government’s financials were weak, how would we pay the monthly salaries of 1.6 million civil servants?

“IRB has recorded inRM42 billion tax collection.

“If we are going bankrupt, how could we collect RM42 billion?”

He said this when opening the Finance Ministry’s programme with the people here.

Present was Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Othman Aziz, who is defending the Jerlun parliamentary seat in the 14th General Election.