KUALA LUMPUR: Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president, Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, has come to the defence of athletes on the issue of income tax amounting to tens of millions of ringgit.
Norza, who is also the president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia, said today the matter should be viewed pragmatically, as national athletes are considered "fighters" who constantly strive for the country's pride in international competitions.
"I wouldn't hold athletes accountable for this situation. I don't believe they intentionally try to evade paying taxes, it's more likely due to a lack of awareness," explained Norza.
"Athletes are often seen as dedicated individuals who consistently represent our nation with pride.
"It's important to recognise that they're not accumulating wealth without making contributions to the nation.
"Moreover, we acknowledge that athletes have a limited career span and lack a safety net.
"Hence, it's imperative that we find ways to support and educate them rather than placing blame on their shoulders."
On Wednesday, Harian Metro reported that there were 243 cases of tax arrears involving the sports fraternity, amounting to a total over RM15.873 million.
What is even more surprising is that within just a seven-month period, from Dec 31 of the previous year to July 31, a total of 137 new cases were identified by the Inland Revenue Board involving an approximate total of RM3.133 million.
To address this matter, Norza has urged the Youth and Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council to intensify their efforts in providing athletes with tax-related education and raising awareness among them.
"Some athletes may lack awareness regarding what constitutes taxable income and what doesn't. Additionally, they may benefit from understanding tax reliefs that can be utilised to reduce their net tax liability," he said.