THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed that it had summoned billionaire businessman Mirzan Mahathir, the eldest son of twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to its headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday (Jan 18) to assist with an on-going investigation.
Mirzan showed up at the MACC Headquarters at 9.30am yesterday whereby a notice order was delivered to him under Section 36(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009 which required him to declare all movable and immovable assets in his possession whether in inside or outside the country within 30 days from the date of the notice.
“This order is an extension of MACC’s investigation pertaining to the information in the Panama Papers report as well as his business activities involving the sale and purchase of government-linked companies (GLCs),” the anti-graft agency pointed out in a media statement.
“The investigation is conducted under the MACC Act 2009 as well as the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA).”
MACC said it has started an investigation since August 2022 against all entities linked and named in the Pandora Papers and Panama Papers reports.
To date, a total of 10 witnesses have been called for the purpose of recording statements and the MACC is studying the financial documents and asset ownership of the entities listed in the reports and the investigation is still ongoing.
Coincidentally, Hong Kong tabloid Dimsum Daily has exposed on Dec 29 that the Malaysian authorities’ crackdown on corruption in high places is said to have trained its gun on Mirzan which marled an expansion of investigations beyond the initial targets.
This came about as the Malaysian authorities had a week prior seized a landmark skyscraper owned by former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, Malaysia’s wealthiest tycoon with close ruling party ties.
“The widening dragnet signals Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s campaign to root out entrenched business corruption will continue gaining steam in coming months,” noted the Hong Kong-based tabloid. – Jan 18, 2024
