Tok Pa: Govt must launch immediate probe

Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. -Bernama filepic

PUTRAJAYA: The Government must immediately launch investigations into its claim that RM18bil in Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds was “robbed” by the previous government, says a former minister.

Jeli MP Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the allegations which were made by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng were “very serious” as they implied elements of misappropriation and abuse of power.

“As this affects the image of the previous government and the civil service, and because it involves public interest, an internal investigation must be initiated immediately. It must be completed within a week.

“As a responsible government, the results of this internal investigation must then be presented to the public.

“In the spirit of transparency and reforms that the government has pledged to uphold, and also to be fair to all, this matter must also be referred to the Public Accounts Committee,” wrote Mustapa on his Twitter account.

In his winding-up speech on the Bill to repeal the GST Act, Lim said RM19.4bil of GST refunds that was supposed to be returned to business owners was “robbed” by the previous government.

Lim claimed that the previous government was not able to refund companies their tax credit because the money was not placed in the trust account.