Sarawak govt issues NoA to Petronas over outstanding payment of sales tax

0

The Sarawak government has issued a Notice of Assessment (NoA) to Petronas over the latter’s outstanding payment of the five per cent sales tax on petroleum products to the state. — Reuters photo

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has issued a Notice of Assessment (NoA) to Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) over the latter’s outstanding payment of the five per cent sales tax on petroleum products to the state.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who said this when delivering his Budget speech today, said Petronas is required to pay the overdue sales tax to the state government as stipulated under the existing legal framework.

“As of September 30, 2019, the State has collected revenue of RM5.653 billion, and is expected to collect more revenue towards the end of the year.

“Presently, Petronas has not yet paid the State Sales Tax on petroleum products, while other companies have done so.

“Under the State Sales Tax Ordinance, 1998 Petronas is legally obligated to pay the State Sales Tax and their failure to do so would tantamount to breach of the law,” he said in the august House.

In this respect, Abang Johari said the state had issued the NoA Notice to Petronas for them to make the necessary payment, failing which, the state “would allow the law to take its course.”

The five per cent sales tax came into effect from Jan 1 this year.

Tabling the State Budget 2019 in November last year, Abang Johari said the sales tax was expected to generate revenue worth RM3.897 billion for Sarawak this year.