CUSTOMS BLACKLISTS TAX DEBTORS
1,970 companies have not settled taxes amounting to RM106 million
THE Sabah Customs Department has put 1,970 companies on its list of debtors which have yet to settle taxes amounting to nearly RM106 million.
The errant companies are operating here and in Kudat districts (1,192) as well as Keningau (109); Lahad Datu (192); Sandakan (295); and Tawau (182).
State Customs director Datuk Janathan Kandok said restaurants were the culprits with the most unpaid taxes, followed by construction, transportation, and hardware companies, among others.
“Some of the taxes have been accumulated over two years. For this month, we will focus on collecting taxes from 500 debtors.
“They are the most stubborn but that doesn’t mean we are closing our eyes.
“We will continue with our operation the following month. It’s just a matter of time before they pay up,” he said after launching the state-level “Ops Kutip Hasil 30 Juta 500 Penghutang” here yesterday.
Janathan said the department had opened civil investigation papers against 500 companies, and said the matter would be taken to court if the debtors failed to pay.
He said Customs would work with other government departments and local authorities to help check on bankruptcy and the legality of the businesses, among others.
“At the moment, we (Customs) do not have a system to check on whether a business is operating with a valid licence or whether the people (running the business) have valid registration.
“We have to rely on other departments to assist us. However, I hope Customs will have an integrated system soon where we can just check their details.”
Representatives of the National Registration Department, Insolvency Department, Companies Commission of Malaysia and 24 local authorities attended the launch.