A mistake in the placement of a decimal point by a ministry officer results in even larger amount missing.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has not only stood by his allegations that the previous government had falsified the Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit refund but claims that the missing amount was even larger than he had declared in Parliament last week.
“The actual amount of shortfall in the fund for unpaid GST input tax is RM19.248 billion, and not RM17.911 billion which I had reported to the House last week,” Lim said in Parliament on Monday (Aug 13).
The amount was for the period of 2015 and up to May 31 this year.
He said the previous amount that he revealed was not the actual total, owing to a mistake in the placement of a decimal point by a ministry officer.
“It was announced last week that the available funds are approximately RM1.48 billion. However, the real figure is around RM148.6 million.
“I wish to apologise to the House and Speaker.
“It is better that we are transparent and honest with the House than to hide such things, as done by the previous government,” he added.
Lim maintained that the problem of unpaid tax was due to the weak cash flow of the previous administration, brought about by poor fiscal discipline and an increase in large debts.
“What the previous Government had done was the falsifying of accounts and abuse of the fund to make payments for other purposes, or to cover the deficit to show a surplus.
“This is still the truth,” he alleged.
Last week, heated exchanges took place between Lim and Opposition lawmakers when he alleged that the GST input tax had gone missing and used for other purposes.
Lim said that his ministry would carry out an internal probe to determine what happened to the money meant to repay businesses under the GST.
Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin has since lodged a report with the police over Lim’s claims.
Former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, denying Lim’s allegations, lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). – The Star
Earlier reports:
Aug 10, KJ Wants All Linked to Missing RM18B GST Refunds Investigated, Including Najib
Aug 10, Irwan Says Money is All There, Guan Eng Asks Where?