Guan Eng: RM14.56bil in unrefunded taxes falsely stated as revenue

PETALING JAYA: The previous administration recorded RM14.56bil in unrefunded taxes as revenue, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He said that the Consolidated Funds to the Tax Refunds Trust Fund (TRTF) had a shortfall of RM14.56bil because the funds were not transferred.

"This is deemed (as) falsifying accounts and a misappropriation of the arrears of credit balance refunds for other usage or to cover up their deficit in order to show a surplus.

"The main thing is: Who is actually responsible? 

"Is it (former Treasury secretary-general) Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar, former finance minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, or both?" Lim asked in a press statement on Friday (Aug 31).

Lim said police had recorded his statement on the RM16.046bil excess tax payments as of May 31, which was not refunded to taxpayers over the past six years.

He added that the cops were investigating the case as criminal breach of trust following a police report lodged by DAP's Keranji assemblyman Chong Zhe Min.

"The large amount owed is due to the shortfall in the transfer of direct tax revenue collected into the TRTF.

"The tax refunds can only be made based on the balance in the TRTF, which on May 31 was only RM1.486bil, according to the Accountant General's Department figures," said Lim, adding that this amount was far lower than the RM16.046bil needed.

He added that the Cash Management Committee, which held monthly meetings chaired by Dr Mohd Irwan, did not transfer sufficient funds to the TRTF as requested by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

He said the IRB director-general had also written an official letter to Dr Mohd Irwan in 2016 for more funds to be transferred to the TRTF, but it was ignored.

Lim also provided a breakdown of the figures owed, which showed that the amount yet to be refunded to taxpayers from two to three years ago was 38% of the RM16.046bil or RM6.125bil.

The amount owed last year was RM1.789bil or 11%. For cases at least six years back, the figure stood at RM4.593bil (29%) while cases from four to five years ago amounted to RM3.539bil (22%).