GEORGE TOWN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants other states to follow Penang's success in surpassing the target set for income tax collection.
Speaking to the press after officiating the new Menara Hasil Pulau Pinang building here today, the Finance Minister said Penang's tax collection for the first quarter of this year surpassed the set target.
For the record, Penang's tax collection, as of May 31, is RM3.542 billion, a positive performance compared with the target set for the period.
Penang's tax collection target for this year is RM8.099 billion.
"Penang's tax collection for the first quarter is high, surpassing the target.
"As such, we want other states to follow Penang. We don't want any leakages," he said.
Earlier in his speech, Anwar said while the country has yet to achieve the initial target set, Penang had done so, thanks to its commitment.
"I thank the Hasilians (Inland Revenue Board's employees) for their commitment.
"This will be the precept (pedoman) for our friends in the other states to increase their performance," he added.
Anwar said Malaysia has the lowest income tax rate in Asia.
He also said the cohort of those paying income tax was among the lowest in Asia.
"Other countries demand higher rates.
"This is a challenge to the Hasilians to increase collections, which are used for various purposes that benefit the people, such as education, health, infrastructure and such. We are looking at a higher collection this year," he said.
Meanwhile, Anwar urged the taxmen to carry out their job without fear or favour, collecting taxes from those who are supposed to pay them.
He also urged the Customs Department to do the same.
"It can be me as the Prime Minister, the ministers, the Tuns, the Tan Sris and the rich tycoons, get them to pay their taxes.
"Some earned tens of billions. Why are they not paying taxes? Go after them. This is your job as taxman.
"We will defend you," he said
Anwar also touched on good governance to prevent leakages.
Present at the event were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Inland Revenue Board chief executive officer Datuk Dr Abu Tariq Jamaluddin