KUALA LUMPUR – Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir is baffled at why his brothers are being probed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) when it is their father, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is the main target of the investigation.
Mukhriz confirmed that the probe was intended for the father, as he said it was written in the same notice that was issued to his brothers Mirzan and Tan Sri Mokhzani to declare their assets.
He also added that the notice was signed by MACC commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
“I saw the notice. which was signed by (Azam Baki) himself. The notice mentioned that an investigation was conducted on (Dr Mahathir) and in the same notice, MACC instructed both my brothers (Mirzan and Tan Sri Mokhzani) to declare their assets to assist in the investigation.
“We felt it was strange because, in the beginning, MACC was investigating a person for allegedly misusing his power, but no information was given in detail.
“However, now, the ones being probed are the sons of the person who is being accused of alleged wrongdoings,” he said during a Pejuang iftar event yesterday, which was uploaded by Malaya Daily on YouTube.
Previously, both Mirzan and Mokhzani said their father was the primary suspect in the MACC’s months-long probe, adding that the brothers are merely witnesses “to whatever it is” the agency was investigating.
When asked by reporters, Azam Baki said he needed to “check the facts” first before responding to the brothers’ allegations.
In January, the MACC issued a notice order to the brothers to declare their assets under Section 36(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009.
In Mirzan’s case, the agency is investigating his business activities linked to the sale and acquisition of government-linked companies while probing information in the Panama Papers documents published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in 2016.
It is understood that both Mirzan and Mokhzani are being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
On March 16, Azam Baki confirmed with Scoop that MACC had given the Mirzan and Mokhzani an extension to declare their assets. Mirzan has until April 15 while Mohkzani has until April 25 to declare their assets.
In a press conference on January 22, Dr Mahathir claimed that the agency had “pressed” Mirzan for evidence, even though no offence was established against the businessman, so they could prosecute the nonagenarian.
On March 18, Dr Mahathir was discharged from the National Heart Institute, where he was previously hospitalised for 53 days due to an infection-related treatment.
Scoop previously looked at Mirzan and Mokhzani-owned vast business ventures, including the various corporations tied to the brothers’ names and their alleged involvement in previous business dealings during Dr Mahathir’s stints as prime minister. – March 31, 2024