KUCHING, Aug 9: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang expressed his shock and anger upon learning that former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng rejected an investment tax allowance application by Sarawak Energy Berhad’s subsidiary Baleh Hydro Power Generation Sdn Bhd (Baleh Hydro) in 2019
In a press statement, Lo applauded Baleh Hydro for its insistence on filing a judicial review to challenge the Lim’s decision to reject the company’s application for a tax incentive claim without providing reasons.
“What irks me is that Sarawak DAP (Democratic Action Party) did not come to our defence, and they had failed to protect the interest of Sarawakians.
“They even failed to speak up for Sarawakians on this matter even though there is a need to reiterate the huge savings with the decision of this Court.
“The court has effectively allowed Baleh Hydro to claim the investment tax allowance of 100 per cent of the qualifying capital expenditure incurred between 2018 to 2027, of which these savings of RM10.9 billion tax allowance will be put to good use by our GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government,” he said.
Lo, who is also the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, said there is still much to do in Sarawak, especially for rural communities.
“There are so many things the GPS government wants to do to uplift the lives of Sarawakians. But instead, here, we have DAP trying to ‘rob’ us of the chance of having this RM10.9 billion tax allowance. This is indeed cruel and unacceptable.
“Fortunately, Baleh Hydro Power disclosed that although the company had met all the required conditions for such tax incentive, he (Lim) thought otherwise and rejected the application without giving any reason; thus, the High Court threw out MOF’s (Ministry of Finance) argument.
“From what I gathered, many Sarawakians were unaware of this incident, and they feel that this is undoubtedly shocking. Many have expressed their dissatisfaction with such mistreatment from the previous PH (Pakatan Harapan) government and DAP Minister of Finance,” he said.
He added that Sarawakians need to remind themselves that the GPS government is committed to developing Sarawak further with the abundant supply of green and sustainable energy.
He noted that the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in Kapit is part of the rural electrification scheme initiative to speed up the government’s electrification plan, enabling Sarawak’s digital economy agenda to reach rural communities to help realise Sarawak’s vision to become a high-income nation by 2030.
“I, too, wanted to remind Sarawakians that in June 2019, Lim Guan Eng said Sarawak would go bankrupt within three years. This is indeed a degrading statement, and three years have long gone. Despite Covid-19 affecting us, Sarawak is not bankrupt, but our income revenues continue to increase.
“Lim Guan Eng should apologise to all Sarawakians for his insensitive and malicious remarks. No reason for Sarawak to put up with this Malayan party.
“Sarawakians are not ignorant as what they presumed us to be. We must continue to stick together under GPS to better take care of ourselves and to continue to wrestle our rights and privileges back,” he said. — DayakDaily
