Guan Eng drubs Muhyiddin's 'perverted logic' on responsibility

 

DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng has rubbished Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin's argument on how the former was responsible for the Albukhary Foundation losing its tax-exempt status during the first Pakatan Harapan administration.

This comes after Muhyiddin said that since the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) is under the Finance Ministry's purview, matters regarding tax exemptions must have gone through Lim when he held the finance portfolio.

In a statement today, Lim called Muhyiddin’s statement a perverted logic.

"In the absence of any specific instruction, how can a minister be responsible for every single action taken by the numerous agencies and GLCs under his or her purview?

"If that is the case, as former prime minister, Muhyiddin should be held responsible for every single corrupt act done by government officials in the country.

"What type of perverted logic and irresponsible behaviour is this?" he asked.

Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary

On Thursday night, after being released from MACC custody, Muhyiddin said he would be charged with abuse of power for re-granting tax exemption to the foundation headed by tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary.

He alleged that the exemption was cancelled by Lim when Harapan came to power in 2018.

Lim denied this and gave Muhyiddin until Wednesday to apologise and retract the remarks, or face a defamation suit.

The Pagoh MP had refused to retract the remarks yesterday and instead asked Lim to explain his role in the matter.

He also doubled down and implied that Lim was afraid of the backlash from having disturbed one of the country's biggest Malay-led charitable foundations.

Lim, however, countered by saying the allegations were fictitious and seditious.

"This is a fictitious allegation that I had acted against an Islamic charitable foundation. It is also seditious in nature because it is unfounded and baseless.

“Unless vigorously rebutted, such seditious statements can inflame sentiments that undermine racial goodwill and threaten religious harmony,” the Bagan MP stated.

Lim then cited a case in Penang where he was accused of directing the IRB to act against a taxpayer.

However, he said the taxpayer was not able to produce any evidence to back this claim, which led to a successful defamation suit in which the Penang High Court ruled that Lim was not involved in said tax enforcement action.

Where’s the proof, Muhyiddin?

Lim then called on Muhyiddin to produce similar evidence in regard to the Albukhary Foundation claims - which he said does not exist.

“Since there is clearly no such revocation letter, he should apologise and withdraw his false remarks or else face defamatory action that will require him not only to do the same but also pay compensatory damages,” he said.

Lim reiterated that Muhyiddin has until Wednesday to comply before a lawsuit is initiated.

On Friday, Muhyiddin claimed trial for four counts of abuse of power and two money laundering charges involving RM232.5 million.

Part of the funds came from Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, which is owned by Syed Mokhtar. - Mkini