KUCHING: A 28-year-old Sarawakian chef working in Singapore, identified as Fang, is facing a perplexing situation.
He has been barred from leaving Malaysia due to an alleged tax debt exceeding RM800,000 linked to a company registered under his name in Klang, Selangor.
Fang, who returned to Kuching for a holiday on November 21, was stopped by the Immigration Department at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) on November 28 when attempting to return to Singapore.
Describing the situation as “bizarre and hard to believe,” Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau chief Milton Foo said Fang immediately visited the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) upon learning of the issue.
There, he discovered a company was registered under his name.
Fearing identity theft, Fang filed a police report on the same day.
An NGO, Persatuan Kebajikan Kuching’s legal officer, and a check of Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) records confirmed that a company was indeed registered under Fang’s name on August 9, 2021.
Fang only received official letters dated August 28, 2024, demanding tax arrears for 2021 after he was barred from leaving Malaysia.
“SSM records showed the company was active for five months and its registration had expired on August 8, 2022,” said Foo during a press conference at the SUPP headquarters today (Jan 4).
“Fang did not receive any letters or communication from IRB during that period.”
Lawyer Wong King Wei representing Fang questioned the validity of the tax charges.
“Secondly, IRB owes Fang an explanation as to the quantification and computation of the amount,” he said.
Wong added that Fang has a decent job in Singapore and is at risk of losing it due to the ongoing situation.
“So, together with Milton, we will assist Fang and ask for answers by the IRB… On what basis is he being charged with such a tax debt? If the answer is not given, then the IRD should lift the restriction of movement on Fang and at least let him go back to work. And at the same time, you investigate the situation,” he said.
Wong also expressed concerns that the case could involve fraudulent activities.
“It’s possible that someone opened a company under Fang’s name, created a bank account for it, and used it to transfer and siphon money. This could be a serious criminal case involving money laundering,” he said.
Public advised to check their eligibility to leave the country before travelling using the Immigration Department’s portal at https://sspi.imi.gov.my.
