04-08-2025
As 16.8k M'sians face travel ban for unpaid RM1.2b taxes, one family owing RM1.7b can travel freely
BOTH the Inland Revenue Board Malaysia (LHDN) and the Madani government have been taken to task for lacking the political will to recover the so-called RM1.7 bil in tax arrears owed by disgraced former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak and son Datuk Nazifuddin Najib as instructed by the Federal Court in October 2023.
This came about after the nation's tax collector has reportedly imposed travel bans on over 16,800 individuals from the period of January-May this year for over RM1.2 bil in unpaid taxes.
Instead of praising the LHDN for its enforcement action to ensure compliance, the revelation prompted a few Madani government critics to train their guns on Najib and son who have yet to settle their dues by insinuating double standards.
'16,800 tax defaulters only defaulted RM1.2 bil but one thieving family defaulted RM1.7 bil in taxes yet Rosmah (Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor) and her kids happily travelling everywhere,' FreeMalaysian (@FreeMsian) hit out.
16,800 tax defaulters only defaulted RM1.2 billion. One thieving family defaulted RM1.7 billion in taxes and yet Rosmah and her kids happily travelling everywhere.
— FreeMalaysian (@FreeMsian) August 3, 2025
The anti-fraudster was not alone as engineer கிருஷ்ணா (@krishk_kumar92) wondered if travel ban has been imposed on Najib's family for owing the government RM1.7 bil in taxes.
Truth seeker CondorHeroesReturns (@Condorretu58866) went a step further to fault Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar who also happens to be the Finance Minister for 'not daring to suspend their passports as he desperately needs to retain his PM post'.
'Without Najib's support, he'll fall!' observed the independent analyst and political commentator.
16,800 tax defaulters only defaulted RM1.2 billion. One thieving family defaulted RM1.7 billion in taxes and yet Rosmah and her kids happily travelling everywhere.
Anwar dare not suspend their passports as he desperately retaining PM post. Without Najib's support, he will fall!
— CondorHeroesReturns (@Condorretu58866) August 3, 2025
Others highlighted the number of hospitals schools, scholarships and even highway stretches that can be built with the money owed by Najib and his son.
The apparent showcase of double standards obviously irked ordinary Malaysians who feel that the law of the land tends to be applicable only to commoners as opposed to the ruling elites and their cronies.
More broadly, governance advocate ksampoh@MyOwn Inc (@ksampoh) who commented on a post by business radio station BFM News (@NewsBFM) on the travel bans imposed on 16,800 Malaysians has requested disclosure on the following to enhance effectiveness of LHDN's efforts in reducing receivables:
Identities or categories of VVIP individuals with tax arrears in the multi‑million or billion‑ringgit range.
Enforcement actions taken against them, including travel bans, liens, court actions or asset seizures.
Clarification on whether any exemptions, deferred payment schemes or write‑offs have been afforded.
Explanation for the lack of transparency (ie absence of publicly available list) in cases of high-value tax arrears. – Aug 4, 2025
LHDN has imposed travel bans on over 16,800 individuals from Jan-May this year over RM1.2 billion in unpaid taxes,to boost enforcement and compliance.
The PAC said outstanding tax receivables fell 14.3% to RM34.59 billion in 2023, due to write-offs and reassessments.
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— BFM News (@NewsBFM) July 30, 2025
