If we're probing Tuns, start with 'arrogant' Dr M, says PKR man

 

 Former PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin has put his own twist on a sarcastic statement by ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, saying that if the MACC is going to start probing those carrying the title “Tun”, they should start with Mahathir himself.

Shamsul, a former deputy minister who is senior political secretary to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, said in a post on social media platform X that  Mahathir’s statement to “remand” all those who hold the title of Tun if they refuse to reveal their wealth shows the former leader’s “arrogant attitude”.

“This is because the MACC is investigating his (Mahathir) good friend, Daim Zainuddin for money laundering,” claimed Shamsul

He added that everyone including those who hold the rank of Tun, are not above the law.

“It is well known that Mahathir made such a statement because he has not been happy with Anwar since 1998,” he said, going on to claim that Anwar as finance minister during the Asian economic crises of 1997-98 had refused to bail out companies owned by Mahathir’s children.

“But if Mahathir’s words are honest, if he wants all Tuns to be investigated, we can start the investigation on him and his children first,” said Shamsul.

He called on the MACC to probe the source of the wealth of Mahathir’s children and also to reinvestigate cases of misappropriation of funds and losses such as Perwaja Steel, the Bakun Dam hydroelectric project, MISC, PKFZ, Maminco, and Kenchana Petroleum.

Shamsul Iskandar Md Amin

Sarcastic tirade

Yesterday, Mahathir had made his statement after the MACC launched investigations into Daim - another Tun and close associate of Mahathir - over alleged money laundering and corruption.

“I agree completely that Tuns should be investigated. If they cannot explain where or how they got the money, their property should be seized.

“It is not necessary to obtain documentary evidence of their misdeeds. Suspicions alone should be enough.

“Tuns should not only be investigated. They should also be remanded until they reveal the source of their money. If they don’t, it must be because they are hiding,” he said in a social media posting yesterday.

Last week, the MACC seized Ilham Tower, a high commercial-value building, owned by Daim and his family.

This reportedly came after the former finance minister refused to comply with requests from the MACC to disclose the financial holdings of both himself and his family.

The seizure is linked to an anti-money laundering investigation that began in late May into a corporate transaction worth RM2.3 billion in November 1997.

The transaction involved publicly listed Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Bhd (UEM).

The anti-graft agency is also reportedly looking into Daim’s businesses and how the corporate figure obtained all his assets.- Mkini