He also said officers and parties in the Cash Flow Committee should be consulted on the matter.

“They know the truth and the financial operating procedures we had to abide by in managing the country’s financial position,” he said in a brief statement here today.

“Allah knows the truth and will protect the innocent,” he added.

The Cash Flow Committee under the finance ministry is headed by the Treasury secretary-general.

Earlier this week, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng claimed that the previous government had failed to refund excess income tax and real property gains tax totalling RM16.046 billion as of end-May.

This followed his claim that goods and services tax (GST) refunds of RM19.25 billion had not been returned either due to the failure to transfer sufficient amounts to the relevant trust account.

The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) has confirmed Lim’s claim that RM16.046 billion had not been refunded to taxpayers for over six years.

LHDN director-general Sabin Samitah was reported as confirming that the total amount involved 1,653,786 cases consisting of companies, individuals, societies, associations and foundations as of May 31 this year.

Sabin said the postponement of tax refunds was mainly due to inadequate funding in the Tax Refund Trust Fund.

Customs director-general T Subromaniam was also reported as saying that the department, during the monthly trust fund committee meetings, had requested that RM82.9 billion be transferred to the GST refunds trust account. However, only RM63.5 billion was transferred.