DAP rep challenges Customs Dept to bring 'refund dispute' to court

PETALING JAYA: Selangor assemblyman Ng Tien Chee (pix) has challenged the Customs Department to bring the dispute over the false Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds claimed by the 12 state local councils to court.
The DAP state representative said he was shocked with Customs director-general Subromaniam Tholasy's statement that the documents submitted by the local councils was dubious.
"Since Subromaniam said the claims were false, I would like to challenge him to bring the matter to court and let the court decide," he said in a statement.
Ng added Subromaniam should make a public apology for his statements if the latter did not intend to settle the dispute in court.
He had on July 4 alleged that the federal government owed over RM36 million in GST tax refunds to 12 local councils in Selangor.
Subromaniam however said the refund statements made by the local councils were dubious and false, adding that his department could bring the matter to court as a last resort.
Calling for the Customs to act professionally, Ng said the local councils should had been informed in writing if there was any doubt on the refund statements.
He added the lack of communication on the Customs' side would only show that the department was not serious in returning the refundable taxes to taxpayers.