KUALA LUMPUR: Former Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani today refuted Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s claim that RM19 billion had gone missing from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Refunds Fund.
Johari explained that together with Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, who was the former second finance minister, they gave a briefing to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding the procedure for GST refunds.
“I stressed that no money amounting to RM19.1 billion went missing.
“Impossible for that money to disappear and I have explained it to them.
“As I have mentioned, the refund premium was divided into many categories,” he said.
According to news portal Malaysiakini, Johari said that in the course of the hour-long session, he explained to the PAC members over procedures involved in collecting GST and related refunds.
“Firstly on refunds, that could not be made due to them not being taxable.
“Secondly investigation being carried out over certain allegations.
“Thirdly on deduction issues, fourthly on review of approvals, and lastly on approved ones (refunds),” he said.
Johari and Ahmad Husni were summoned for a PAC meeting today over Lim’s allegation that the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government had misused RM19.1 billion meant to be GST refunds.