IRB Amended Bill still a no show from PM

PKR says they were promised a copy of the Bill in June, but till today have not received anything.

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition lawmakers are unhappy that they have no access to the Inland Revenue Board Amended Bill 2014, even though it will be tabled again in Parliament next week.

PKR called on the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to release the Bill by Friday so that they could study it and prepare for debate at the upcoming Parliamentary session scheduled for October 7.

MP for Kelana Jaya, Wong Chen said PKR had issued a letter to Najib on September 5 requesting for the amended copy, and had only received a reply two weeks ago. Even so, the reply had nothing to do with their request.

“We received the Order of Proceedings for the October Parliamentary session on Tuesday evening, and on top of the list it stated that the IRB amendment was to be tabled again, and we still do not have the amended copy which was promised in June,” he said.

Wong Chen said the party is concerned that with IRB targeting to collect RM140 billion from the public, the minister will legally have access to do anything with the funds if the amendment to the act is approved.

“It should be basic Parliamentary democracy to give lawmakers an opportunity to look at the document before the Parliamentary session starts on Tuesday,” he added.

In June the finance minister tabled an amendment to the IRB Act 1995 to create an IRB investment panel so they may legally invest unlimited amounts of money in equities, debts and property.

According to the Act which falls under Section 23, IRB can take on debts and receive money lawfully from the minister with no limits.