PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad appears unfazed about the Malaysian’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and UK’s anti-graft body’s joint investigation into the former premier’s assets abroad.
Dr Mahathir said he was puzzled when he read a report quoting MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki saying that Malaysia was working with authorities abroad, particularly those from the United Kingdom, to probe the centenarian’s assets.
“I’m surprised. Turns out, I have assets in the United Kingdom. I did not know about this.
“Please let me know, so I can claim this asset and after that, I will give it to the poor,” said Dr Mahathir in a brief Facebook posting on Thursday (Sept 11).
Dr Mahathir also claimed that the investigation was a deliberate attempt by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to delay his defamation suit.
Dr Mahathir alleged that Anwar had sought two weeks to respond to the suit, but two years had passed without the case reaching the court.
In May 2023, Dr Mahathir filed a RM150mil suit against Anwar over claims that he amassed wealth for personal benefit during his tenure as premier.
On April 17 this year, it was reported that Dr Mahathir would proceed with legal action after Anwar did not comply with the former premier’s letter of demand for an apology over the allegation made on March 18, 2023.
Bernama, in quoting sources, had reported on Tuesday (Sept 9) that the MACC was cooperating with British authorities to trace and recover assets allegedly linked to Dr Mahathir, his family and associated individuals.
According to a well-placed source, MACC has held multiple meetings with the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC), a specialised unit under the National Crime Agency (NCA) based in London, in connection with the case.
The collaboration comes as part of a broader investigation into suspiciously acquired wealth allegedly parked abroad, including in Canada, Switzerland, Japan and the United Kingdom.
"MACC is currently awaiting the official list of assets from UK authorities involving those countries. Once complete, the legal process will begin for the seizure and forfeiture of any identified assets, similar to the approach taken in the Tun Daim Zainuddin case," the source revealed.
The MACC and the UK's NCA had formalised their cooperation in December 2024 through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) agreement, aimed at streamlining international asset recovery and anti-corruption efforts.
Dr Mahathir has repeatedly denied allegations that he possesses extraordinary wealth, describing the claims as politically motivated.
