THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it has yet to give former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad any notice for him to declare his assets.
This is following MACC’s statement on April 26 confirming that it is probing the former leader, with chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki saying the probe was linked to the declaration of assets.
“We haven’t given him any notice to declare his assets as of now,” Azam said during a press conference on Monday (May 27).
In an interview with CNBC on May 23, Dr Mahathir said he and his family members were not involved in any “corrupt practices”, adding that during his time in office, he had also made sure that even his family cannot be involved in a government business as he might be accused of nepotism.
The 98-year-old two-time former premier further said he was willing to make a declaration of assets if asked by authorities since he has “nothing to hide”, although he reckoned that it would not be easy to trace assets accumulated over more than 40 years.
Meanwhile, Azam said he is leaving it to MACC investigators to decide on the request by Dr Mahathir’s two sons for another round of extension of the deadline to declare their assets.
He said to his knowledge, the duo has not yet declared their assets.
For context, it was previously reported that Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir and his brother Mirzan were supposed to declare their assets on May 25 and May 29, respectively.
It was also reported on April 26 that Mirzan and Mokhzani had been given a 30-day extension by the MACC to declare their assets.
Prior to this, the two had been given an extension by the MACC in February.
On Jan 18, MACC had summoned Mirzan, the eldest of Dr Mahathir’s children to facilitate an ongoing investigation into his wealth and issued a notice under Section 36(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009 to declare his assets, all movable and immovable assets, whether inside or outside the country, within 30 days.
His younger brother, Mokhzani, is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and was also required to declare his assets to the graft buster within the same stipulated period. – May 27, 2024
Main pic credit: Reuters
