‘DON’T FORGET THE DAYS WHEN YOU USED TO ASK FOR MY HELP’: MAHATHIR’S SON MOKHZANI FIRES BACK AT UMNO AFTER NAJIB TAKES A SWIPE AT HIS WEALTH

LANGKAWI: Businessman Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir says he will ignore comments by Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders regarding his wealth during the 14th election campaign.

“No, I would not bother about it. It is the elections, they will say things,” Mokhzani, the co-founder of Sapura Energy Bhd, and chairman and executive director of fibre optics cable maker Opcom Bhd told theedgemarkets.com in response to a query.

The business magnate trimmed his stake in Sapura Energy in November last year, ceasing to be a substantial shareholder in the oil and gas company when his private vehicle Khasera Baru Ltd sold off 387.97 million shares for RM577.46 million, leaving a stake of just 220.03 million shares or 3.67% in the firm. His privately held asset management company, Kencana Capital Sdn Bhd still holds 0.08% and another 0.16% equity interest in Sapura Energy, and 0.16% equity interest.

Mokhzani was asked to comment on BN targeting his wealth in ceramahs and linking it to his father Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is contesting for the Langkawi parliamentary seat, to spearhead the Pakatan Harapan coalition’s bid to take control of Putrajaya.

In March, the Forbes magazine identified 57-year-old Mokhzani as among the 50 richest persons in Malaysia with a net worth of US$380 million.

On April 4, caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak took a dig at Mokhzani when referring to PH’s promise to abolish the North South Highway (PLUS) toll if it comes into power.

“Where would PH get RM380 billion to compensate the concessionaire? It does not matter how rich Mokhzani is, even he would not be able to compensate that amount” Najib had said.

The second son of Mahathir, who was following his father’s campaign trail on Saturday with his mother Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali and sister Marina, claimed that BN has forgotten the days when it used to seek his help to fund its campaigns.

“Back then they knew how to ask my help and I used to help them but now they have forgotten that,” he said, while declining to comment if he was funding PH’s election campaign.

Siti Hasmah said she found it amazing that Mahathir had many supporters and that they are cooperating with him in a bid to replace the present administration.

“I feel great for my husband that he has so much support. I hope people will come out on May 9 to carry out their responsibility,” she added.

-https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/its-election-talk-says-mokhzani-comments-about-his-wealth