Anwar absolves Utar from RM83m taxes, penalties - [thanks PM and MCA; NO thanks to DAP and Lim Hui Ying]

Report: Anwar absolves Utar from RM83m taxes, penalties


Published: Oct 8, 2024 11:13 PM



Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today reportedly decided to absolve Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) from its tax disputes and fines.

Citing sources, Sin Chew Daily reported that the Inland Revenue Board (IRB)’s pursuit of RM83 million in unpaid taxes and penalties from Utar will be written off.

According to the report, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, when asked about the matter, said Anwar instructed Finance Ministry secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican to issue a letter to the Utar Education Foundation (Utaref) about the decision.

He said the letter will be sent out soon, putting the issue to bed.

Anwar is also the finance minister.

Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim

Last week, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said that, according to the IRB, Utar was never granted tax-exempt status, unlike Utaref, which received its exemption under Section 44(6) of the Income Tax Act 1967 on July 1, 2003.

kt comments: Just like her brother, against TAR

The next day, MCA president Wee Ka Siong argued that Utaref and Utar should be recognised as a single entity, disagreeing with their current classification as separate bodies.

The foundation is in charge of managing the university.

Meanwhile, the report went on to quote sources saying the IRB recently reaudited Utaref’s accounts for the past six years, officially sending it a letter in June for unpaid taxes and fines.

Upon receiving the letter, the foundation wrote to Anwar. It would also not have to pay the taxes and penalties.