An accountant in Penang was accused of aiding and advising a company to under-report a massive amount in taxes to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) in 2021.
According to the charge sheet, Chew Ai Keow, who works as a partner at accounting firm Abbacus Cloud Solutions, allegedly assisted and advised Penshrimp Fishery Sdn Bhd to file inaccurate income returns to the LHDN director-general.
She did so by checking and approving sales ledgers that omitted RM10.68 million in sales transactions from the company’s bank statements, reported NST.
The charge sheet also stated that the offense was committed at 105-07-07, Jalan Gurdwara, Hexagon Tech Park, between January and March 2021 when Chew was the company’s accounting provider.
Claimed trial
Due to Chew’s alleged dishonesty, a total of RM2,526,144.24 in under-reported tax was submitted to LHDN on March 25, 2021, in the company’s Form C income tax return for the 2020 assessment year.
She was charged under Section 114(1A) of the Income Tax Act 1967, which carries a fine of between RM2,000 and RM20,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, upon conviction.
Chew pleaded not guilty and claimed trial after the charge was read before magistrate Noor Idayu Salim.
The prosecution offered bail at RM10,000 with one surety, but Chew’s lawyer requested for a lower amount, saying Chew had a family, held a permanent job in Penang and was not a flight risk.
Bail was granted at RM4,000 with one surety and the court fixed Oct 28 for mention and submission of documents.
