The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) should collect tax directly from Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) as the company recorded a whopping RM932.59 million in assets for the financial year ended 2008, said Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentarian Tony Pua.

"The amount is more than enough for IRB to demand the money without having to go through Port Klang Authority (PKA)," he told journalists at the Parliament lobby today.

NONE Pua ( left in photo ) urged the IRB to immediately claim the RM328.4 million from KDSB as PKA has insisted that it does not owe money to the company, and that its obligation is only to bondholders.

The MP questioned how KDSB has been able to owe corporate taxes for 13 years and still remain in business, as well as obtain government contracts.

"The amount is not small. Why are they still allowed to continue their business for 13 years without having to pay the tax that was due?"

Pua referred to The Edge Financial Daily which states that KDSB owed taxes to the IRB for the period 1997-1998.

"We know that the IRB is very efficient in ensuring that every company pays taxes. Why were they (KDSB) allowed to continue for 13 years without paying taxes?"

Last Wednesday, the IRB directed PKA to stop payment to KDSB and instead remit RM328.4 million allegedly owed by KDSB to the IRB in backdated taxes.

Certain BN luminaries untouchable?

azlan The DAP national publicity secretary also questioned whether IRB had allowed the tax to remain uncollected all these years because KDSB is owned by BN parliamentarian Tiong King Sing, who is also Backbenchers Club chairperson.

"Does that mean a prominent member of BN is allowed to get away from paying taxes for so long before IRB finally says that they are going to collect through PKA?" he asked.

Tiong, who is Bintulu MP, owns 70 percent of KDSB.

Pua also disputed Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri’s claim that the Port Klang Free Zone project has been completed.

"If the work has been completed, why is PKA still suing KDSB?" he asked.