Armizan slams Warisan over 'misleading' IRB Sabah rep claims

KUALA LUMPUR: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) deputy secretary-general Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali has hit out at Warisan leaders over claims on the appointment of Sabah representatives to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), calling them misleading.

In a Facebook video, Armizan, also the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, said Warisan information chief Azis Jamman’s remarks had created a distorted narrative.

In a short clip of Azis featured in Armizan’s video, the former is heard saying that the appointment of Sabah and Sarawak representatives to the IRB was entirely under the finance minister’s authority, without the need to consult the chief minister or premier, and that the minister could dismiss the state representatives at any time without reason.

Armizan refuted the claim, explaining that the Finance Ministry had already tabled a bill in October 2023 stipulating that the finance minister must consult the Sabah chief minister and Sarawak premier on such appointments.

“If you listen to the video clip, the way he (Azis) framed it could mislead those hearing it for the first time and who are unaware of the full context of the amendment,” he said.

He added that under the existing IRB Act 1995, there was no provision requiring the inclusion of representatives from Sabah and Sarawak on the IRB board.

Armizan also reminded Azis that the move to appoint representatives from both states resulted from consultations between the GRS and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) governments.

“To prevent anyone from claiming credit, let me stress again — the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak representatives on the IRB board is a new matter under the Special MA63 Council agenda, involving the federal government, the GRS-led government in Sabah, and the GPS government in Sarawak.

“This agenda has nothing to do with Warisan and was not part of the MA63 Cabinet Special Committee formed under the previous federal administration, which included the Warisan government,” he said.

On Oct 11, 2023, the Dewan Rakyat passed a bill allowing representatives from the Sabah and Sarawak governments to be appointed to the IRB board, aimed at ensuring tax-related matters concerning both states are properly addressed and represented.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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