Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced yesterday that the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has recorded a higher collection of taxes this year compared to previous years.

Opening the board's new building in Bukit Mertajam, Penang yesterday, Abdullah commended the board for bringing in RM49 billion in taxes compared to o­nly RM22 billion last year.

And their secret?

Do work well

Abdullah, who is also deputy prime minister, praised IRB for having a team of taekwondo experts, who have anaged to "wield confidence and ward of threats from irresponsible tax evaders".

"[Having such a team] is not to beat up people...it is for self protection so that IRB officers can do their work well and handle whatever problems they face," he cracked.

Earlier at the opening ceremony conducted with much pomp and colour, the acting premier watched a taekwondo display by IRB staff and must have been impressed. Also present was Second Finance Mminister Jamaluddin Jarjis.

Under the sweltering heat, IRB employees also put up a choir and accompanied by a live band provided the entertainment for visitors.

Although Abdullah was visibly delighted with the ceremony as all the participants were IRB staff, he rushed through the event, completing it in 30 minutes, saying he has to be in KLIA shortly to welcome Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In his opening address, Abdullah said that in order to increase efficiency, o­ne has to work "expeditiously, speedily and accurately".

Office automation

He said another reason why IRB did so well this year was due to office automation which was capable of producing high volume work.

He also stressed that taxes were an important aspect of a country's financial situation, without which, there could be no big scale development for the people.

"The amount of taxes collected is also an indication that the private sector was doing well", he said.

"But various problems affecting the country such as the recent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) oubreak is expected to dampen the economic environment for now", he added.

Abdullah however expressed confidence in the private sector's ability to weather any 'storms' that may crop up from time to time because the sector is an efficient o­ne.