KKCCCI welcomes Musa’s opposition to tax amendment
KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui yesterday welcomed Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman’s statement that the state government opposed the move to amend the Income Tax Act 1967 to impose tax on religious bodies.
Lui commended Musa’s statement and said that it showed the Sabah state government listens to and respects the people’s wishes.
“KKCCCI hopes that our State Government will convey its stance to the Federal Government as soon as possible that the Inland Revenue Board ( IRB) should not impose tax on all income of religious bodies, including donations from Christians and enterprises, assets and business activities.”
Lui said the chamber fully supported and backed Musa in advocating for religious freedom and harmony among the multiracial communities in Sabah.
“We can neither accept nor tolerate any policies or actions that could potentially jeopardise religious freedom, peace and harmony in the state.”
He added that the state government under Musa’s wise leadership would continue to fight for Sabahans against unfair policies, such as the foreign worker’s policy, and for autonomy which the state deserves.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Musa stressed that while he understood the objective of the tax amendment was to curb abuse of religious donations for personal gain by unscrupulous parties, the state government opposed the move.
The Chief Minister said the state government viewed this issue seriously as some quarters could misconstrue the move as an act against churches or non-Muslim religious organisations.