Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has distanced himself from a recent legal move by Umno regarding ownership of a prime land parcel in Kuala Lumpur, stating that he had already relinquished his trusteeship over the property nearly a decade ago.
Taking to social media platform X, Mahathir explained that he had signed a statutory declaration in 2015 to transfer his responsibilities as one of the trustees of the 9,723-square-metre plot to Umno. The land in question houses the Seri Pacific Hotel and has become the subject of legal proceedings initiated by Umno to gain full ownership.
According to Mahathir, Umno's court action—filed through its executive secretary Sumali Reduan on March 6—does not name him as a defendant. Instead, the suit targets the federal territories land and mines department, seeking a court declaration to officially recognize Umno as the land’s rightful owner.
In his post, Mahathir referenced a statutory declaration signed by all four trustees—himself, Musa Hitam, the late Daim Zainuddin, and the late Sanusi Junid—dated October 27, 2015. He emphasized that the federal territories land working committee had, on December 28 of the same year, approved the transfer of the land’s ownership from the trustees to Umno.
However, Mahathir pointed out that the actual transfer process hit a bureaucratic snag in May 2017. The issue, he said, arose because the names listed on the land grant did not match the trustees’ identification card details, delaying the completion of the transfer.
Mahathir stressed that his role in the matter effectively ended in 2015 and dismissed any suggestion that he had refused to release control over Umno assets.
His statement came days after Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claimed that one former trustee had yet to sign off on relinquishing their responsibilities, though he did not name the individual. Zahid mentioned that while other trustees had complied, one had not, raising speculation about potential resistance from former party figures.
The land, listed as Grant 78154, Lot 40, Section 51 in Kuala Lumpur, is officially held under the names of the four trustees in accordance with Umno’s constitution and the Societies Act 1966.
Mahathir’s remarks appear aimed at clearing the air and countering any narrative that suggests he is obstructing Umno’s claim over the property.
Information source: FMT
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