'Reveal tax collected from Dr M's son, tycoons'
MalaysiaKini.com
Oct 7 2014

PARLIAMENT Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has urged the government to reveal the tax collected from 20 billionaires, including Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s son.

Apart from Mokhzani Mahathir (right), he also named business moguls with close ties to the former prime minister, including T Ananda Krishnan and Vincent Tan.

"I want to know how much in tax have we collected from the 20 billionaires," Anwar said in Parliament today.

He said this when expressing support for the Inland Revenue Board Act (Amendment 2014).

"I support the amendments, which give more autonomy to the Inland Revenue Board," he added.

Anwar said he wanted to know the amount as he claimed that the rich are given leeway from paying their taxes.

"It is not easy for normal people to get this leeway but there is information that IRB is pressured where the rich and billionaires are given the privilege of paying 18 months installments for example,” he said.            

"I would not have a problem with this, if this is given to all those who are entitled.

"However, this exception cannot be given on grounds that this had happened before (the IRB being pressured) and I hope there is change to ensure the IRB is more efficient, professional and autonomous in collecting taxes without considering the status or wealth of someone," he added.

The Permatang Pauh MP claimed that many of these businessmen managed to increase their net worth over the years and asked whether the IRB is now brave to collect taxes from them without any disruption.

In explaining his experience, Anwar said he remembered that these rich people initially imposed pressure for taxes not to be collected on support from a minister.

"Hence, I want clear information whether the billionaires have abided by their duty to pay taxes according to the stipulated time and not be given the leeway as before," he added.

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