The Jeli MP said Lim’s claims were serious as it not only affected the image of BN but also civil servants in the finance ministry and the Customs Department.

“These allegations are very serious as it meant the misuse of power and misappropriations were planned.

“The image of both the previous government and civil servants are tarnished. In my opinion, an in-depth investigation must be carried out immediately and completed within one week,” he said in a statement today.

Mustapa said the results of the investigations should be made public.

“In the spirit of transparency and reformation promised by the government and in fairness to all parties, this issue should then be referred to the Public Accounts Committee,” he said.

Lim told the Dewan Rakyat that RM18 billion in GST refunds were stolen by the previous BN-led government.

He said businesses were not paid the tax credit due to them because the money which should have been deposited into the government’s trust account was moved into a consolidated fund and used.