PNSB list on staff benefits for IRB scrutiny
(The Star) SHAH ALAM: The state government, through its subsidiary Mentri Besar Incorporated (MBI), has directed Permodalan Negri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) to furnish the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) with a list of benefits it has given to employees over the years.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said in a statement that the directive was made after the discovery that PNSB had failed to declare benefits given over the years.
Khalid, who is chairman of MBI and PNSB, said the move was to ensure that PNSB did not run foul of income tax laws.
The statement said that PNSB had over the years given its employees, including the chairman and directors, benefits in cash and kind.
The perks included chauffeured cars for use and paid holidays.
The statement said a group of advisers appointed by MBI was now evaluating PNSB to enhance its performance.
In the process, it was discovered that former PNSB chairman Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was provided a Toyota Harrier in 2005 and a driver in 2006. Petrol and maintenance of the Harrier was paid by PNSB.
Dr Mohd Khir returned the car after he resigned as PNSB chairman in March 2008.
The statement said all the benefits accorded to Dr Khir were not included in the tax forms sent to the IRB.
Khalid said he was aware that PNSB employees were worried about the company’s financial implication due to the under-declaration of taxes.
He urged the staff to be patient and wait for the IRB to determine the additional individual assessment.
PNSB found itself in hot water recently after Khalid’s administration discovered many alleged discrepancies in its operations.
Its chief executive officer Datin Khairiyah Abu Hassan and finance manager Nora Azmin Radzuan have both been told to go on 30 days’ leave pending investigations.
