What role did Najib play in the GST refund controversy?

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Najib Razak's Role in the GST Refund Controversy

Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in his capacity as Finance Minister, played a critical role in the decisions surrounding Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds, specifically concerning the partial transfer of funds requested by the Customs Department. The Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng, has questioned Najib's direct involvement and approval of decisions made by the former Treasury Secretary-General, Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, which led to a significant shortfall in refunds disbursed to companies and individuals.
Approval of Partial Fund Transfer

The Customs Department's director-general confirmed that a total of RM82.9 billion was requested for transfer to the GST Refunds Trust Account. However, only RM63.5 billion was received, resulting in a government shortfall of RM19.25 billion. Lim Guan Eng stated that while Mohd Irwan was responsible for these unrefunded amounts, the ultimate decisions required the approval of the Finance Ministry, which was under Najib's portfolio at the time.
Authorization of Delayed Refunds and Revenue Recognition

Beyond the partial transfer, Lim Guan Eng also raised questions about whether Najib authorised the practice of not making GST refunds within the legally mandated two-week period. Furthermore, it is being questioned if Najib approved the recognition of these withheld refunds as government revenue, allowing for their discretionary use by the administration. These actions, if confirmed, would have directly impacted the timely return of funds to businesses and individuals.

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What role did Najib play in the GST refund controversy?

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