Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad mentioned he and his household weren’t concerned in any “corrupt practices”.
Final month, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Fee mentioned Mahathir was one of many people being investigated in reference to a corruption probe involving his son, Reuters reported.
Mahathir’s sons Mirzan and Mohezani had been ordered to declare their belongings in January as a part of the investigation.
“Throughout my tenure, there was corruption. However I used to be not personally concerned in corruption,” Mahathir advised CNBC’s “Squawk Field Asia” on Thursday.
“I made certain that even my members of the family couldn’t be concerned in authorities affairs as a result of I may be accused of nepotism.”
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad throughout a press convention in Putrajaya, Malaysia on September 3, 2020.
Zahim Mohd | Noor Pictures | Getty Pictures
The 98-year-old two-time former prime minister mentioned he and his sons would “totally cooperate” with Malaysia’s anti-corruption company.
“To this point, they’ve solely requested my son to declare his belongings. The investigation doesn’t contain asking me to declare my belongings,” Mahathir mentioned. He added that if the authorities requested him to declare, he was prepared to take action as a result of he had “nothing to cover.” .
Mahathir’s sons have reportedly mentioned their father is the principle goal of a corruption investigation into whether or not he “abused his place as prime minister”.
Mahathir’s ally and former Malaysian finance minister Daim Zainuddin has additionally not too long ago come underneath investigation for monetary dealings, in line with native media stories.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to root out corruption, however critics accuse him of focusing on his former political rivals, a cost he denies.
In accordance with the federal government’s most up-to-date anti-corruption report, the nation misplaced a staggering 277 billion ringgit ($58.77 billion) to corruption from 2018 to 2023. It additionally careworn that the political influence of corruption is “undeniably critical”.
In accordance with the report, greater than 80% of Malaysians say they’ve “misplaced belief and respect” for politicians and nationwide leaders attributable to ongoing corruption points.
A scarcity of significant management, the appointment of “questionable figures to key political positions” and an absence of political dedication to implement anti-corruption measures or “punish those that interact in corrupt practices” undermine the belief and effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts,” it added.
