By Nancy Nais and Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 20: Sarawak Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar has been appointed as Sarawak’s representative on the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) Board of Directors to facilitate the provision of the annual special grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced this during a special press conference after the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Technical Committee meeting held today at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN).
“Since there is a vacancy, on the authority as the finance minister, I have appointed Sarawak Financial Secretary (Wan Lizozman) effective today as a member of the IRB Board.
“The conditions (to qualify as an IRB Board member) are professionalism and experience. Therefore, I believe the Sarawak Financial Secretary has both criteria, and this would help the IRB,” he said.
He also mentioned that Sabah already has a non-government representative on the IRB Board.
Answering a reporter’s query, Anwar clarified that the appointment of a civil servant to the IRB Board is not a problem as long as the representative has fulfilled the two criteria — professionalism and experience.
At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof elaborated that the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) Act 1995 stated that there must be government and non-government representatives.
“However, the seats for government representatives (in IRB) have been fulfilled. Thus, one of the representatives will be replaced by a representative from Sarawak.
“The amendment would still be carried out in Parliament,” he explained.
Also present were Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. — DayakDaily
