APRIL 11 — Datuk Paul Low’s comments last week on the global controversy of tax avoidance were utterly deplorable.  

In an article on the Malay Mail Online, the minister shares his opinion that there is “nothing wrong with it.” The fact that “it’s not called tax evasion, it’s tax avoidance” seems be enough of a distinction in his mind to make these dealings completely acceptable. 

He seems to feel that as long as it “is legitimately earned” then it is “not a problem.”

To say there is “nothing wrong” with tax avoidance is technically correct if, of course, your only definition of “wrong” is “illegal.” Tax avoidance through legitimate accounting is not illegal, but this attitude completely misses the point and shows the level of moral bankruptcy and disconnect that we have sadly grown accustomed to in Malaysian politics.

The minister appears to neglect the fact that the “legitimately earned” money he speaks of was made possible through the utilisation of Malaysia’s infrastructure, Malaysia’s markets & Malaysia’s people, both in a workforce and customer capacity. 

To enjoy the fruits of a taxed economy but not be willing to contribute towards them yourself is exploitation of both the people and the system.

What is particularly troubling is that these statements come from a government minister, and the minister of governance and integrity at that. 

While politicians across the world are scrambling to backtrack, apologise and deny these allegations, it seems the elite of KL are happy to shamelessly endorse these tax dodging measures. 

Low goes on to claim that it is unfair to penalise politicians and government leaders for tax avoidance; a standpoint that is particularly alarming. These are the people who should be under the most scrutiny for such dealings. 

They hold a position of power in which they govern and implement the tax policies by which the country must abide. If there’s any conflict of interest in which they stand to profit, how can the people possibly feel secure in knowing that the tax system is being implemented fairly? 

These are also the same people that demand taxes from the population, claiming it to be for the welfare of the rakyat. To expect standards from the people you govern that you are not willing to fulfil yourself is hypocrisy of the highest degree.    

With these statements coming just a week after protests surrounding the introduction of the highly unpopular Goods & Services Tax, it shows just how out of touch the political elite are with the people they purport to represent.

So as the rich squirrel away their savings and shift profits to tax havens, it is clear that it will not be the rich among us who are contributing to the development of our society. 

Instead it will be the hard working citizens; the office workers, the construction workers and the manual labourers. It is these people that enabled the successes of the wealthy, and it will be those same people that end up footing the bill for it.

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.