Why Jho Low, Riza Aziz can’t be taxed

BUSINESSMAN Low Taek Jho (pix), better known as Jho Low, and Riza Aziz (pix) have not declared their income in Malaysia, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

Johari (BN-Titiwangsa) said the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) could not tax them because they did not declare their income in Malaysia.

He was responding to Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) who asked Johari to explain Low and Riza Aziz’s financial income.

Lim said he posed the question after he received information that their incomes do not come from 1MDB.

“I’m asking about Jho Low and Riza Aziz’s financial sources, where the government said that their wealth do not come from 1MDB.”

“The issue raised here is about investigation, I am not in the position to provide any answer as I am not in any investigating body,” Johari said.

Johari however said the IRBM will track anyone or any company that tries to evade paying taxes in Malaysia.

“As long as the person has an income in this country, or any registered company in this country, they will have to pay tax. If not the IRBM will chase you.

Meanwhile, an investigation file has been opened by the National Registration Department (NRD) to probe the claim that Riza Low Malaysian-born Low holds dual citizenship.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the investigation was based on a report made over the citizenship status of Low.

Ahmar Zahid, who is also the home minister, added the NRD had applied to the country where Low was alleged to have been granted citizenship to verify his status.

“The NRD will carry out further action in accordance with the laws and procedures in force once the relevant evidence is obtained,” Ahmad Zahid said in a parliamentary written reply in response to a question posed by Ng Wei Aik (DAP-Tanjong).

Ng had asked the Home Ministry on the status of the investigation and action taken on Low based on complaints made over his citizenship last year. Low is said to hold citizenship status for Saint Kitts and Nevis, an island nation in the Caribbean.