KJ: PROBE ALL, INCLUDING EX-MINISTER
Khairy urges Lim to furnish more details on missing GST refunds
REMBAU member of parliament Khairy Jamaluddin believes that those related to the alleged disappearance of RM18 billion in Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds should be investigated, with no one spared.
This, said Khairy, included the former finance minister, senior officers, as well as relevant agencies.
The former finance minister was Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was also prime minister.
Khairy challenged Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng to furnish details relating to the alleged disappearance of the money, which Lim had described as a “theft”.
The former Umno Youth chief said he had twice urged Lim to do so in the Dewan Rakyat.
“If there had been any misappropriation, whoever is responsible should be brought to face the music.
“He (Lim) made a serious allegation but could not furnish accurate details.
“If there are valid reasons, the people must know the truth,” Khairy said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
Earlier, Khairy had lodged a report on the case at the Sentul district police headquarters.
He said he would also lodge a report with the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission today and said he hoped the investigations would be allowed to run smoothly.
“We want to clear the name of the previous government led by Barisan Nasional.”
On Wednesday, Lim, during the second reading of the Services Tax Bill 2018 in the Dewan Rakyat, said the monies in question were owed to businesses over the past two years.
He alleged that the BN government did not follow the GST guidelines and had “stolen” the monies from a trust account from where the tax deduction was supposed to be refunded to businesses.
He said businesses were not paid the input tax credit due to them because the monies meant to be deposited into the government trust account were moved into a consolidated fund and spent.
Former international trade and industry minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad urged the government to investigate Lim’s allegations.
The Jeli member of parliament said Lim’s claims were serious as it not only impugned the image of BN, but also civil servants in the Finance Ministry and Customs Department.
“These allegations are very serious as it meant the misuse of power and misappropriations were planned.
“The image of the previous government and civil servants is tarnished.
“In my opinion, an in-depth investigation must be carried out immediately and completed within one week,” he said.
Mustapa said the results of the investigations should be made publi.
“In the spirit of transparency and reformation promised by the government and in fairness to all parties, this issue should then be referred to the Public Accounts Committee.”