Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has sent a letter of demand to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to retract claims that he had amassed wealth for personal riches while in power.
If Anwar does not respond to the letter dated March 27 within seven days, Mahathir said he will proceed with legal action.
“These are very terrible accusations and give the impression as if I have stolen money, misappropriated money, did not pay taxes, that I’m a scoundrel and so on.
“Clearly (Anwar’s) speech was referring to me and not anyone else because I was in power for 22 years and 22 months.
“That is why I have written to him to retract his statements or show proof to back his claims. If he does not answer within seven days, I will take whatever action is allowed by the law,” Mahathir said in a press conference in Putrajaya today.
Mahathir was referring to remarks made by Anwar in his policy speech at the PKR Special National Congress 2023, on March 18.
Though Anwar did not mention any names in his speech, he did refer to someone who “after 22 years and 22 months of being in power, is lamenting about Malays losing everything, losing assets, shares”.
“When you lose power, when challenged, when you are fearful of the MACC and Inland Revenue Board coming down hard… you are worth billions (but) you don’t pay your taxes, you move your wealth abroad. What sort of prime minister should I be then?” Anwar was reported as saying.
Mahathir said Anwar was clearly referring to him with his remarks as media reports about the speech mentioned his name.
“Even though back then, I am used to hearing him say more or less the same thing but at the time, he was not the prime minister.
“Now, he is the prime minister and he has a responsibility (and) cannot simply make such accusations without clear evidence.
“That is why today I’m demanding for the allegations to be retracted,” the nonagenarian said. - Mkini
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