The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has officially served Mirzan Mahathir with a notice to declare his assets within the next 30 days. The anti-graft agency confirmed that Mirzan, the eldest son of former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, was summoned to its headquarters in Putrajaya for this purpose.
The notice, issued under Section 36(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009, mandates Mirzan to disclose all movable and immovable assets under his possession. This move is part of MACC's broader investigation, initiated in August 2022, which stems from information obtained from the Panama Papers report. The probe specifically focuses on Mirzan's business activities related to the sale and purchase of government-linked companies (GLCs).
The MACC clarified that the asset declaration notice serves as a continuation of their ongoing examination into entities mentioned in both the Pandora Papers and Panama Papers reports. These reports, unveiled by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), exposed details about bank accounts and offshore assets belonging to political figures and prominent individuals.
In its statement, the MACC highlighted the scrutiny of financial documents and asset ownership pertaining to the entities identified in the reports. The investigation remains active, with 10 witnesses having their statements recorded thus far. The anti-corruption agency did not specify whether these witnesses or the ongoing probe are exclusive to Mirzan or encompass all Malaysians mentioned in the Pandora Papers and Panama Papers.
Mirzan Mahathir's summons follows a similar inquiry into the assets of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin's family. MACC recently questioned Daim's wife, Naimah Khalid, and their two sons, continuing its investigation triggered by information from the Pandora Papers leak in February 2023. Daim and his family have sought a judicial review in court, challenging the constitutionality of the investigation.
The Pandora Papers and Panama Papers revelations have prompted widespread investigations globally, focusing on individuals implicated in the leaked documents. MACC's persistent efforts indicate a commitment to delve into potential corruption and financial improprieties, particularly concerning the acquisition and divestiture of government-linked companies. As the investigations progress, it remains to be seen how these inquiries will impact the individuals involved and contribute to broader anti-corruption measures in Malaysia.
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