KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — Local model-turned-entrepreneur Nora Danish has claimed today that her statement was “twisted”, after she was reported in a Malay daily as having suggested tax breaks for celebrities.

The actress also insisted that she is an obedient taxpayer, after her remark was chided by the public on social media.

“In the issue of LHDN, I still got slammed even when I did nothing wrong. This must be because somebody twisted Nora’s delivery,” she said on an Instagram post today, referring to herself in third person and using the Malay acronym for the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

“That’s fine, I am on my way back to Malaysia, Nora will check who sensationalised the news.”

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Her post was accompanied by several hashtags including #haruslahbayarcukai and #sayabayarcukai — “should pay tax” and “I pay tax” in Malay.

Malay Mail Online’s sister publication ProjekMMO had attempted to reach Nora’s aide for further comments but was unsuccessful since the celebrity was abroad.

Nora had earlier suggested that artistes be given tax exemptions for the amount they spend to appear attractive in public.

In a report by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia published earlier today, the artiste urged the IRB to consider her proposal, claiming that celebrities spend an exorbitant amount to maintain their looks.

She was, however, chided by the public after the news went viral, and several entertainment blogs reported as if she had suggested that celebrities be exempted from paying tax.

Nora’s remark came after celebrity Rozita Che Wan was barred from leaving the country to celebrate her two-year-old daughter’s birthday in London last week, due to tax arrears.

The IRB said last week that 132,501 Malaysians have been barred from going abroad as of September this year because of their failure to pay taxes.

According to the Immigration Department, unpaid taxes are the third most common reason for travel bans on Malaysians, which have also risen by over 50 per cent since last year.