Johari to answer questions on ‘missing’ GST refunds

Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. -filepic

PETALING JAYA: Former finance minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani will be present at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing looking into the “missing” RM19.4bil Goods and Services Tax (GST) input tax credit refunds.

“I will be present to answer all the questions. I am currently overseas,” he said when contacted.

Johari, who was second finance minister until Barisan Nasional lost in the general election, added that he would not be bringing any materials or documents with him.

“I will just answer what was the practice before I took over as the second finance minister for that period of 21 months.

.“Nothing to hide,” he said.

PAC chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said Johari along with his predecessor Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanad­zlah, who resigned as minister in June 2016, were among those who would be called to testify before the committee. Ahmad Husni, however, was unreachable at press time.

Meanwhile, former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah and Treasury deputy chief secretary-general (policy) Datuk Siti Zauyah Md Desa were among top government officials who faced the 13-member bi-­partisan committee on Thursday.

Dr Kiandee, in a statement, said the committee unanimously selected to investigate the issue after it was raised by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng during Dewan Rakyat proceedings in early August.

Under Standing Order, the PAC is empowered to probe matters as it “may think fit”.

Dr Kiandee said the committee started its probe on Wednesday by calling Customs Department’s director-­general Datuk Seri T. Subro­ma­niam to testify before it.

“The PAC will continue with its proceedings on Sept 25,” he said.

Dr Kiandee said several more individuals would be summoned to face the committee, which had not fixed a deadline for its recommendations to be tabled in Parliament.

Besides its 13 committee members, Dr Kiandee noted other members include permanent ex-officio representatives from the Finance Ministry, Audit Department, Attor­ney General’s Chambers, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Civil Service Department, Accountant General’s Department and the Economic Planning Unit.

On Aug 9, Lim proposed that an open inquiry be held to clear the air over the “missing” GST input tax credit when wrapping up the debates on the Customs (Amend­ments) Bill 2018.

On Aug 21, police recorded a statement from Lim over the issue following a police report lodged by Barisan Nasional MP Khairy Jamaluddin, who wanted authorities to clear the air over the controversy.- Star