Guan Eng never revoked Albukhary Foundation’s tax break: Anwar
PM cites MoF records showing exemption only approved in Feb 2021
(The Vibes) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) has confirmed that Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) did not revoke tax exemptions for the Albukhary Foundation during the DAP chairman’s tenure as finance minister.
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar dismissed accusations levelled against Lim on the matter, noting that Section 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967 does not afford powers to a minister over tax exemption matters.
“Based on records from the Finance Ministry, Bagan (Lim) as then finance minister never cancelled any tax exemption previously awarded to the Albukhary Foundation.
“Claims that he (Lim) had done so are untrue because the tax exemption approval for the Albukhary Foundation was only made on February 25, 2021.
“Under the section, absolute power regarding tax exemption issues is given to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) director-general, not a minister or even the prime minister,” said Anwar.
Lim was finance minister in the short-lived Pakatan Harapan (PH) government led by then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad from May 2018 to February 2020.
