Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin should change his lawyers that advise him that the Finance Minister is personally responsible for any decision taken by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) on any taxpayer even though no specific instruction was issued or received by the Minister. Muhyiddin said he would not retract his claim that Lim, as the then finance minister, had revoked Albukhary Foundation’s tax-exempt status, even though Muhyiddin failed to produce the alleged revocation letter issued by me.
This is a serious fictitious allegation that I had acted against an Islamic charitable foundation that is seditious in nature because it is unfounded and baseless. Unless vigorously rebutted, such seditious statements can inflame sentiments that undermine racial goodwill and threaten religious harmony.
There was a similar defamatory statement made by a non-Muslim taxpayer from Penang against me that I had directed and was responsible for action taken by LHDN. The non-Muslim taxpayer could not produce any evidence or letter that I have directed LHDN to act against him. I filed an action of defamation and succeeded, with the High Court ruling that I was not involved.
In the absence of any specific instruction, how can a Minister be responsible for every single action of the numerous agencies and GLCs under his purview. If that is the case, then as Prime Minister, Muhyiddin should be responsible for every single corrupt act by all government officials in the country. What type of perverted logic and irresponsible behaviour is that?
Muhyiddin should either produce the revocation letter issued by me or ask his lawyers to advise him properly to avoid facing unnecessary civil proceedings of defamation. Since there is clearly no such revocation letter, he should apologise and withdraw his false remarks or else face defamatory action that will require him not only to do the same but also pay compensatory damages. Muhyiddin had until Wednesday to decide whether he wants to face an additional court proceeding apart from the current corruption charges against him.