Mahathir says can't prove '30pct shares from China investors' claim

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said China investors complained to him that there were certain individuals from the previous administration demanded 30 percent free shares but stressed that he can't prove the allegations.

"There were complaints, mainly by the local business people.

"Of course, I can't prove it. I don't have any documents but this is what they told me," he said during a media conference with the Malaysian press at the China World Summit Wing Hotel in Beijing, as he concluded his five-day official visit to China.

On Sunday, Mahathir accused the previous BN government of being inefficient and corrupt, pointing out that China investors were asked to give 30 percent of shares to certain people. 

The prime minister gave assurances that the government will not allow such practices and shared new ways to improve efficiency and speed up approvals for investors doing business in Malaysia.

Today, when asked whether he would encourage the businesses to lodge reports, Mahathir said: "The business people are quite happy to tell me but they don't make official reports because it's a hassle.

"You make official reports and you have to do this and that. You have to prove it. All kinds of things will be put on them and I think that they are very shy."

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak had questioned Mahathir if he was accusing Chinese state-owned companies of conspiring with the previous BN government in bribery. 

Writing on his Facebook page on Sunday, in reply to Mahathir's claim, Najib had said: "CCCC is a publicly-listed company controlled by the Chinese government and is a major global player with an annual sales value of US$70 million (RM280 million).

"CPPB is a one of the biggest petroleum pipeline construction company in the world and is fully-owned by the giant China National Petroleum Corporation, which is fully controlled by the Chinese government."

Najib queried whether it made sense for BN to demand a 30 percent stake from Chinese state-owned companies as a bribe. -Mkini