Koim gets IRC top post
By REBECCA KUKU
SAM Koim has been appointed Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) acting commissioner-general.
The former chairman of the anti-corruption team Task Force Sweep said he had two messages for companies and individuals.
“To those who are genuinely struggling to pay their taxes, the commission will find ways to help you meet your obligations.
“To the tax-dodgers, we’ll find you,” Koim said.
Treasury Minister Sam Basil announced the appointment at a press conference in Port Moresby yesterday.
He said the National Executive Council’s decision had been approved by Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae.
“The IRC is the premier tax collecting body and with Koim as the acting commissioner, the Government hopes to see an increase in its productivity,” Basil said.
Koim thanked the Government for his appointment and said that he would be fair and equitable but “brutal in the enforcement of our tax laws.”
“To those who employ convoluted and pernicious strategies to escape your tax obligations, we will find you and you will face penalties under our tax laws. That extends to tax advisers,” Koim said.
“To those who deceitfully evade paying tax, let me warn you that tax evasion is not a victimless crime.
“It is not simply a matter of failing to pay one’s debt to State.
“It is theft, and tax evaders are thieves,” he said.
Koim said that those who systematically conspired to defraud the public revenue would be criminally prosecuted.
“Tax agents and advisers will be regarded as co-conspirators and prosecuted.
“I will be initiating corporate criminal prosecutions for those corporations that defraud the State of monies that are due to the State in tax.
“I intend to fill the court rooms with tax fraudsters in the coming months.
“I have been given the full mandate of the Government and all powers enabling me by law to mobilise all the resources and technical expertise needed to achieve this mission,” he said.
Koim also said that he was looking forward to working with the commissioners and staff of IRC and admitted that he was not there as a one-size fit all solution to the challenges in IRC.
“I am not here to celebrate mediocrity either.
“I am here with a burning sense of urgency to empower you for optimal performance.
“You have the skills and technical expertise to do the job.
“I am new to this organisation but I am not new to compliance.
“I am hoping that the fire burning in me will burn within you and not beneath you,” he said.
“Let us all take back what has been stolen from us. Let us take back PNG.”
8 comments
well said Mr. Koim. as Papua new Guineans we hope and pray you do everything mandated under your jurisdiction and do it without fear and favor for the rights of the silent majority of democratic Papua new Guinea. you have our respects. may god be with you. GKA Gladiators (JR)…OBM.
This will be a bold move to recover monies from cooperate giants as well as sole traders who have evaded compulsory contributions ….It is about time the laws that are already in place is enforced…
Congratulation Sir!
We need such young brilliant and transparent people with vast experience & knowledge to occupy such positions where money for the country is generated. I agreed with comment he made upon his appointment as a IRC Commissioner. He is a man of his own caliber so I believe he will do the everything as required by Law to prosecute those practice fraudulent deals.
I salute you Mr. Koim on your appointment as the acting Commissioner for PNG IRC.
You are the great warrior who always battles to take PNG back. Today you are taking a firm position in the battle field. Be fully armed as you used to and Save PNG. The country is with you!
Congratulations Mr Koim.
Your appointment is a win for the nation and its 8 million plus citizens and an answered prayer for the suffering simple people of Papua New Guinea who have been denied vital services because someone was dodging his/her tax obligations.
You are a man of high integrity and evidently earned your respect from public through your actions as former chief for the task force sweep team.
Looking forward to see the long over due reforms that the commission desperately needs materialize.
Congratulations once again and God Bless.
All the citizens of this country PNG are obligated to pay tax to state but who are we those who act above law, no man is above the law. Country needs such honest and transparent leaders to create new picture for our upcoming generation. Thumps up Sam Koim for your appointment, our hope is in you and hope you will do what the country expects from you.
Congratulations Mr Koim
I believe you have potential to do more than that job…!!!
Please give yourself a chance to execute what is in you for the development of this country PNG. I for one believe we can do more as prominent Educationist of this Beautiful country.
When the news said Papua New Guinea is a corrupt country…I NO, it’s only a certain selfish fools painting bad reputation for this country. Otherwise, many others knows ou purpose of existence and we will do what is expected of Us.
Thanks Koim for confirming my believe in this era.
Congratulations Mr Koim
I believe you have potential to do more than that job…!!!
Please give yourself a chance to execute what is in you for the development of this country PNG. I for one believe we can do more as prominent Educationist of this Beautiful country.
When the news said Papua New Guinea is a corrupt country…I say NO, it’s only a certain selfish fools painting bad reputation for this country. Otherwise, many others knows our purpose of existence and we will do what is expected of Us.
Thanks Koim for confirming my believe in this era.
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