Friday 29 Mar 2024
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This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on September 27, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been summoned by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to explain the issue of the RM19.4 billion “missing” goods and services tax (GST) refunds.

According to Bernama, citing a statement from PAC chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, Najib, who is also former finance minister, has been told to present himself on Oct 17.

Also called to explain the issue is the man who made the claim about the refunds being missing, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who succeeded Najib after the change of government following the May 9 general election. Guan Eng been told to meet with the PAC on Oct 22.

Former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, who has appeared before the committee on Sept 13, would also be called up again on Oct 16, the news agency reported.

On Tuesday, two former second finance ministers, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, were called up by the PAC to provide their explanations over the same issue.

Ahmad Husni was the second finance minister between March 2008 and June 2016. Johari took over the post from June 2016 and held it till April 2018.

Kiandee said the two were called up as a follow-up to the proceedings held on Sept 12 and 13.

“The two former second finance ministers explained and clarified the matter for about an hour, touching on policy, as well as their responsibility in matters concerning the GST when they were holding the post,” he reportedly said in the statement.

The Tuesday proceeding was also attended by Treasury deputy secretary-general (policy) Datuk Siti Zauyah Md Desa, who represented the Treasury secretary-general, and senior officers of the finance ministry (MoF).

The PAC hopes to conclude the matter and come up with its recommendations for the government on the issue after all the parties above have provided their explanations and clarifications, said Kiandee.

As for 1Malaysia Development Bhd, he said the PAC has agreed to resume its proceedings on the state-owned investment fund following a motion by the MoF that was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Aug 16.

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