KUALA LUMPUR (July 24): The High Court has removed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the federal government as respondents in Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir’s ongoing legal challenge over RM5 million in additional tax assessments and penalties.
High Court judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh Serjit Singh on Thursday allowed the Attorney General’s Chambers’ (AGC) application, among others, on the grounds that the Additional Assessment Notices for the years 2017 to 2019 issued to Mukhriz concerned only the first respondent, The Inland Revenue Board (IRB).
The AGC had argued that the naming of Anwar in his capacity as finance minister, and the government, was frivolous as Anwar and the government were not directly involved in the decision over the taxation and penalty.
Thursday’s proceedings took place in chambers. However, it is understood that Amarjeet did not allow the AGC’s prayer (request), seeking to strike out some paragraphs from Muhkriz’s affidavit. No order was made as to cost.
When approached by the press, Muhkriz’s lawyer Syed Afiq Syed Albakri clarified that the above mentioned paragraphs revolved around claims that the IRB’s decision was influenced by statements made by Anwar and the government in the past against Mukhriz and his family. Mukhriz is one of two-time Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s sons.
Marina Ibrahim appeared for the IRB, while senior federal counsel Nur Irmawatie Daud appeared for Anwar and the government.
This is in relation to the Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) chief’s (Muhkriz) judicial review to quash the additional assessment notices. Earlier in January, the High Court had granted permission to hear the full merits of the case. A temporary stay from paying the sum was also granted.
The amount in dispute are an additional assessment of RM2,558,875.90 for 2017; RM2,445,004.91 for 2018; and RM16,826.37 for 2019.
On Thursday, the court also set the matter to be heard on Dec 16.