‘Extension given due to Mokhzani’s extensive assets’

PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir, the son of ex-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has been given a 30-day extension due to the extensive nature of his assets, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner confirmed giving the extension, saying that it is a reasonable amount of time for the businessman to declare his assets.

“Yes, he applied for an extension and we approved a 30-day extension.

“He needs to gather the relevant documents for the details,” said Azam.

The two sons of the country’s longest-serving prime minister are currently being probed by the MACC and have been asked to declare their assets.

On Feb 21, the MACC was reported to have granted Mokhzani’s older brother, Tan Sri Mirzan Mahathir, the same extension four days ago.

The graft-busters reportedly served a notice on Mirzan under Section 36 (1)(b) of the MACC Act to declare all his movable and immovable assets, whether inside or outside of the country, within 30 days from Jan 18.

Mokhzani is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

According to the brothers previously, the MACC had requested a list of assets going back to 1981, the year their father became the prime minister for the first time.

“Mokhzani and his brother Mirzan have been cooperating well with us,” said Azam.

On a separate matter, he said there was no indication that funds allocated to a non-governmental organisation were misappropriated to benefit specific individuals within the Prime Minister’s Department.

“We have conducted our investigation into the case. Based on the reports from the investigation officer in charge, there were no indicators which suggested that the funds were returned to certain quarters in the Prime Minister’s Department,” Azam said.

He was asked to respond to allegations made by social media activist Ratu Naga that the MACC should investigate Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, the senior political secretary to the Prime Minister, instead of her.

On Feb 16, after finding herself the subject of an MACC investigation, Ratu Naga, whose real name is Syatul Ema Abu Samah, claimed that the MACC should have called up Shamsul instead as she has no links to him.