Take stern action against culprit, says KJ

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakatan Harapan government has been urged to take stern action against the culprit involved in the alleged misuse of input tax credit under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system.

Former Cabinet minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Barisan Nasional cannot accept the allegation by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who accused in Parliament that the Barisan administration had stolen a total of RM18bil in GST refunds.

“If indeed there was a misappropriation and the refund was not returned, then those responsible for it must be brought to book.

“Barisan cannot accept being accused of robbing GST tax,” he told a press conference at Parliament yesterday.

Earlier, Khairy lodged a report at the Sentul police headquarters over the matter. He is expected to lodge a report at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Putrajaya today.

The former Umno Youth chief said Barisan viewed Lim’s allegation as serious in nature, and that it warranted a criminal probe.

“When a serious allegation like this is involved, I don’t think an internal probe would suffice because Barisan and members of the previous administration would want to clear their names,” he said.

Former deputy minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan, who was also present, urged the relevant authorities to investigate the matter.