Datuk Vida settles GST arrears of RM4.2 mln

IPOH: Cosmetics millionaire Datuk Seri Dr Hasmiza Othman yesterday settled the arrears of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from April 2015 to July 2016 which stood at RM4.2 million.

The founder of Vida Beauty Sdn Bhd, better known as Datuk Seri Vida, made the payment via a bank draft in the name of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department this morning before the hearing at the Sessions Court for the 16 charges of failing to pay GST.

Consequently, judge Murtazadi Amran allowed Customs to withdraw all the 16 charges after deputy public prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran confirmed the accused had settled all the GST arrears.

Earlier, Syed Ahmad Syed Abas, representing Vida, appealed to the prosecution to withdraw all the charges as his client had made full payment for the amount claimed, at RM4,246,029.10.

The judge also ordered Vida’s international passport which had been submitted to the court be returned to her.

Last October, Vida was charged with committing the 16 offences at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, GST Division, at Wisma Kastam in Jalan Tun Razak, here.

For the offence, Vida was charged under Section 41 (7) of the GST Act 2014 which carries a fi ne not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both, if convicted.

After the proceeding, Vida known for her cheerful disposition, was thankful to be freed of all the charges.

“This is a test, this is a blessing for me to go higher. I’m grateful, I’m free,” she said.

She also sang the song ‘Makhluk Tuhan Paling Seksi’ made popular by Indonesian singer Mulan Jameela, adding that she just couldn’t wait to travel abroad.

Last December, Vida was fi ned RM80,000 by the Sessions Court after she pleaded guilty to charges of failing to submit the GST statements. —Bernama