Dr Mahathir Mohamad refuted Prime Minister Anwar’s Ibrahim notion yesterday that it is not easy to investigate a “Tun”.
Speaking at a special press conference today, Mahathir slammed Anwar’s claims, asserting otherwise.
The former premier claimed that it is harder to investigate those in power, especially the prime minister, deputy prime minister and the MACC chief instead of a “Tun”.
“There is nothing challenging about investigating me. I’m just a Tun. If they put me in jail, I will just die in jail. If I’m dead, there is no need to investigate me. There won’t be many problems,” he said in jest when speaking to reporters at the Perdana Leadership Foundation today.
“(MACC chief) Azam Baki is not a Tun, but you don’t see any investigation on him. He was one accused of ‘playing shares’.
“There should be an investigation carried out on him and his brother. But since he is the head, it is hard to investigate him.”
The nonagenarian stressed that no probes were being conducted on these “big shots” and they do not even carry the “Tun” title.
Pointing out corruption accusations lodged against Anwar by former Bank Negara assistant governor Abdul Murad Khalid 24 years ago, Mahathir said the Pakatan Harapan chairperson was not investigated over that.
Murad, at that time, alleged that Anwar had RM3 billion in more than 20 bank accounts.
Yet former finance minister Daim Zainuddin is now being investigated and the Ilham Tower, which is a high-value commercial building owned by Daim’s family, was seized, portraying that it’s not difficult to probe a “Tun”, Mahathir added.
AG is ‘superman’
Mahathir said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was charged in court for 47 cases but suddenly the attorney-general (AG) stopped prosecuting, which shows that even the AG cannot investigate “big shots”.
"The people want to know whether Murad's accusations were true or not but the AG said he does not need to explain (why charges are withdrawn).”
Mahathir further claimed that in Malaysia, “the one who holds more power than the chief justice is the AG”.
“Even when the Federal Court judges deliver a verdict, they have to explain the grounds of judgment but the AG doesn’t have to explain (their decisions).
“So the AG is a superman,” he said.
Targeting Mirzan
Citing the ongoing MACC investigation on Mirzan, Mahathir lambasted the government for pressing his eldest son for evidence of the two-time prime minister's alleged misconduct.
“The government has access to everything. You can investigate that. Anwar said he had boxes of evidence. Well, show them to me, the money he said I have stolen. Where is the evidence?
“Instead, my son (Mirzan) was pressed to give evidence, so I can be charged. My son is being investigated and threatened and I am threatened because I have so-called done something wrong.”
The MACC questioned Mirzan last week and ordered him to declare all his assets in Malaysia and abroad within 30 days.
It said this is to facilitate investigations on the Pandora Papers and his business activities involving the sale and purchase of government-linked companies.
The commission started investigations in August 2022 against all entities named in the Pandora Papers and Panama Papers, as well as related entities, it said.
Political motives
Mahathir did not mince words when he claimed that the Anwar-led administration was abusing the law for political reasons.
“Those who are opposing the government will have the law thrown in their faces,” he claimed.
He cited the predicament of one MP who withdrew his support for the government, who then was found guilty of criminal breach of trust and will be facing jail time as well as two rotan strokes.
While he did not mention names, it was apparent that he was referring to Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who was once considered Mahathir’s protege. - Mkini
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