"We heard that 90% of the inland revenue comes from Chinese, is it true?"

As a Malaysian who is a tax payer and who pays through his nose to satisfy LHDN requirement, I am really pissed every time I come across Malaysians who likes to speculate that the 90% of tax revenues comes from our Chinese brethren thus justifying the many demands of the minority.

I take exception to the statement in the CSL-LGE debate 2.0 when LGE said "Don't forget that the Chinese community pays the most taxes in Malaysia". These are mere assumptions to suit a particular political agenda, and is very divisive.

This is what the Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri CEO said on a question "We heard that 90% of the inland revenue comes from Chinese, is it true?"

"That is a misconception. It so happens that the majority of Chinese, especially in cities and towns, are in business and since business cases are often selected for audit through our risk management system, it is perceived that 90% of the income taxes are from the self-employed Chinese.

However, one should note that there are an equally great number of Malay traders in small towns and villages, albeit the volume of business could be much smaller, who are registered with our local branches.

There are also a great number of Malays and Chinese, too, who are in employment and these taxpayers are perceived to be paying every cent of their hard-earned income.

Although the IRB does not maintain records of taxpayers based on race, statistics of tax collection from individuals (including Indians and other races) is about 18% of the total tax collected of which 35% is from the self-employed group. I hope this fact dispels the perception that there is a racial bias in the tax system."

Source here.

The LHDN has spoken folks, please YB politicians, do not make sensitive and divisive statements that would upset us taxpayers who are from all creeds and religions in this blessed country called Malaysia.