I was once ordered to pay RM13mil in income tax, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claims that he was once ordered to pay RM13mil in income tax when Lim Guan Eng was finance minister.

The Deputy Prime Minister also claimed that Lim had done so due to his “hatred for Umno and Barisan Nasional”.

“I was ordered to pay RM13mil income tax although I had already made monthly payments.

“Why? Because the finance minister at the time, who was part of the Pakatan Harapan government, really hated Umno and Barisan.

“I have never shared this story with anyone before,” he said in his speech when officiating the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma) general assembly at the World Trade Centre here on Saturday (Sept 2).

Commenting on Kimma president Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Kader’s remark that the party would not submit an application to join Barisan, Zahid said his hands were tied on the matter.

Zahid said that the Barisan constitution stated that all component parties must unanimously agree for a new party to join the coalition.

“We have to respect our (Barisan) constitution which states that this decision needs a consensus from all component parties.

“This is a problem for us but God willing, we will see this changed. We will discuss the matter.”

Zahid also said Barisan was confident of becoming the dominant coalition in Malaysia’s political landscape once again, adding that this would be the case come 16th General Election (GE16).

“I see a very bright light at the end of the political tunnel. So keep walking till the end.

“We are now being tested so do not give up. Only those with strong will can be successful in the end,” he added.

The deputy prime minister also said that he is confident that the next prime minister would come from Umno and Barisan.

He said Barisan would be able to secure more seats in GE16 than other coalitions such as Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.

“Many are asking, how long will Umno-BN have only a deputy prime minister? My answer is, we will have our own PM when we win more seats than other coalitions,” he said.