PUTRAJAYA: All personnel under the Finance Ministry and its agencies should not be intimidated by pressure or threats while carrying out their duties, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, assured that he will defend personnel who are performing their duties diligently.
"I assure you that the Customs Department and Inland Revenue Board (IRB) should carry out their duties professionally.
"If there are reasonable appeals, consider them through the usual processes, but don't be intimidated by any names without exception (regardless of their status)
"As long as I hold this position, I am responsible for its execution, and not concerned with any pressure or threats. If anyone thinks they can threaten me, they've got the wrong person.
"I will stand firm, and you should perform your duties diligently," Anwar said at the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly here today,
Present were Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Treasury secretary-general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.
At the assembly, Anwar said the IRB has received numerous complaints and criticisms from the elite simply for doing its duties.
"I want to clarify that they have a job to do. Just because in the past (some quarters) did not pay their taxes, it does not mean they don't have to pay it now.
"If previously certain obligations could be concealed, it doesn't mean that culture should continue,"he said.
Anwar added that if the tax imposed is excessive, there is a process to appeal.
"It means that a claim is not final—there is an appeals process, and explanations can be provided.
"However, just because they're used to paying minimal taxes doesn't mean they can continue with that practice.
"This country cannot progress and prosper if we only think about taxing the poor.
"If the wealthy accumulate immense riches and collude with the elites to avoid paying taxes, that's a form of exploitation of the people," he said.