False, inaccurate: Guan Eng denies nixing Albukhary Foundation tax break

KUALA LUMPUR – Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng has dismissed allegations he cancelled tax exemptions for the Albukhary Foundation during his tenure. 

Responding to “false and inaccurate” accusations made by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, the DAP chairman challenged the former prime minister to provide evidence on his claims and threatened to sue.

“I have never issued any specific instructions to cancel the tax exemption given by the BN (Barisan Nasional) government to the Albukhary Foundation headed by Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary. 

“Can (Muhyiddin) show letters of me issuing (such instructions) when I was finance minister? If he cannot, I will seek legal advice on his lies against me since (the claim) also involves corruption charges that will be tried in court,” Lim said in a Facebook post early this morning. 

At 1pm yesterday, Muhyiddin was arrested at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya after giving his statement for investigations related to the Jana Wibawa project and other matters. 

The Perikatan Nasional chairman and Bersatu president was later released on bail at about 8.20pm. 

Speaking to reporters later, Muhyiddin said during Lim’s tenure as finance minister under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration in 2018, the Bagan MP had cancelled the Albukhary Foundation’s application for a tax exemption, which was made during BN’s time in federal power. 

Muhyiddin also said when he became prime minister after the fall of the PH government, Syed Mokhtar had appealed to him to lift the cancellation. 

At the sessions court here today, Muhyiddin claimed trial to four charges of power abuse amounting to RM232.5 million and two charges of receiving RM195 million in illicit funds. 

Four charges are framed under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009. If found guilty, Muhyiddin faces a maximum of 20 years in jail and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

The other two charges are framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. 

If found guilty, Muhyiddin could face a maximum of 15 years’ imprisonment and be liable to a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the proceeds of the unlawful activity at the time the alleged offence was committed or RM5,000,000, whichever is higher.

Muhyiddin is the third Bersatu leader to be hauled up over the Jana Wibawa initiative, which he introduced while he was prime minister to help Bumiputera contractors. 

Tasek Gelugor MP and former Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan was charged with soliciting and receiving bribes worth RM6.9 million to help a private firm secure a central spine road government contract worth RM232 million in 2022.

He and Segambut Bersatu deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad were the first two Bersatu leaders charged with corruption involving Jana Wibawa. – The Vibes, March 10, 2023