SERDANG: Those who claim that the RM18bil Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds are not missing should show the Government where the money is, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s recent revelation in the Dewan Rakyat that about RM18bil in GST collection that was due for refund to businesses since the implementation of the tax in 2015 was not in the Customs trust account had drawn criticism from Government critics, including former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said he noted how both Najib and Lim had spoken on the matter, adding: “If it is not missing, show us where the money is.”

Dr Mahathir said this when asked by reporters on the issue. He was met by the media after visiting an art exhibition at the Perdana University here Sunday.

The exhibition organised by the university is entitled “Tun M: A Forever Legacy,” and showcases more than 100 artworks inspired by Dr Mahathir’s legacy.

On Friday (Aug 10), Najib said he believed that the Pakatan Harapan Government may have spent the "missing" RM18bil to make up for fiscal shortfalls after zero-rating the GST in June.

Najib had said that this could have happened when businesses filed their tax refunds to try to claim it immediately as soon as GST was zero-rated in June.

Dr Mahathir said a lot of the Government’s funds had to go towards servicing the many loans taken by the previous administration.

“Also, people expect us to give free money to them, because this is a habit developed by Najib, that he gives money to people freely and now the people expect us to give money to them freely.

“But we don’t have the money. We have not stolen the money the way Najib has done,” alleged Dr Mahathir.

Asked whether the Government was planning to table a supplementary budget in Parliament next week, Dr Mahathir said the Government will look into it.