Guan Eng: Albukhary Foundation tax exemption never came to my desk

Lim Guan Eng has denied that the proposal to revoke Albukhary Foundation’s tax exemption status ever came to his desk when he was finance minister.

The Bagan MP made the testimony in today's court hearing of his defamation suit against former premier Muhyiddin Yassin over the allegation that the former greenlighted the tax-exemption revocation.

"It never came to my desk when I was finance minister," Lim contended over his tenure helming the Finance Ministry between mid-2018 and early 2020.

The plaintiff was replying during cross-examination by Muhyiddin's counsel Chetan Jethwani during proceedings before the Kuala Lumpur High Court this afternoon.

Lim also disagreed with the lawyer's contention that he as then finance minister was responsible if the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) revoked the foundation's tax exemption status.

The plaintiff contended that IRB's actions - such as if it is engaged in revoking a foundation's tax exemption status - are independent from that of the finance minister.

Earlier during the trial before judicial commissioner Roz Mawar Rozain this morning, Lim contended that the tax exemption status revocation was done during Muhyiddin's administration from early 2020 to late 2021.

Muhyiddin is expected to take the witness stand tomorrow to rebut Lim's defamation suit.

Accusations

On March 27 last year, Lim filed the writ of summons against Muhyiddin.

A month later, through his statement of defence, Muhyiddin contended that Lim has to prove in court that the Finance Ministry did not revoke the tax exemption status.

The Pagoh MP also claimed that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s statement in Parliament - that there were no records of Lim revoking the foundation's tax exemption status - was “wholly irrelevant” and a mere deflection so that Lim would not be held accountable for the IRB decision on the issue.

In his reply to Muhyiddin’s defence, Lim questioned why Muhyiddin did not raise the issue of the alleged tax exemption cancellation when they were both part of then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s cabinet.

Muhyiddin was the home minister during the Pakatan Harapan administration from 2018 to 2020.

Lim is seeking unspecified damages from Muhyiddin.

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