KUALA LUMPUR – The two sons of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Mirzan and Tan Sri Mokhzani, have hit back at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for saying that the brothers have not declared their assets.
In a joint statement, the duo asserted that they had 30 days to comply with the task of collating information spanning 43 years, which they described as an “impossible endeavour”.
“The MACC has requested a list of assets going back to 1981, the year our father (Dr Mahathir) became prime minister. We are in the midst of compiling available information and engaging with relevant parties to assist and advise us on the process,” they said.
“To avoid any misrepresentation or prejudgment, it would seem appropriate for all parties to apply restraint when commenting on this case, especially when we have not been informed of the specifics of the investigation – other than it pertains to our father.”
At the same time, they also requested patience and understanding in addressing the MACC’s request.
On February 6, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that neither of the brothers had submitted their asset declaration notices to the agency.
Previously, the MACC said that Mirzan, who is Dr Mahathir’s eldest son, was served notice on January 17 to declare all his assets – both here and abroad – within 30 days.
Besides information on the 65-year-old in the Panama Papers, the agency is also investigating his business activities that involve the sale and acquisition of government-linked companies (GLCs).
Meanwhile, Scoop reported that Mokhzani was served a notice order on January 26 to declare his assets, both domestically and internationally.
It is understood that Mokhzani is being probed over his shareholding in a GLC. This company is said to have won a licence to fabricate structures for use in oil and gas exploration for a national petroleum giant, while Dr Mahathir was serving as prime minister. – February 8, 2024