Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad finds himself embroiled in a corruption investigation linked to his sons, as confirmed by the head of Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Thursday.
The probe centers on Mahathir’s businessman sons, Mirzan and Mokhzani, who were served notices in January by the MACC to disclose their wealth. This move comes in the wake of investigations into offshore financial activities and business records exposed by various news organizations.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki refrained from providing further details on the specific allegations facing Mahathir and his sons, emphasizing the need for the investigations to run their course before disclosing findings.
The MACC’s scrutiny of Mahathir and his family is part of broader efforts to combat corruption within Malaysia’s political circles. In recent months, the commission has initiated graft investigations against several prominent political figures, irrespective of their affiliations.
Notably, Mahathir’s longstanding rivalry with current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has raised questions about potential political motivations behind the investigations. Anwar has consistently denied allegations of using anti-corruption measures as tools to target his adversaries, asserting that such actions are integral to the government’s commitment to rooting out high-level corruption.
As the investigations unfold, Malaysia faces a critical juncture in its fight against corruption, with the integrity of its political leaders under scrutiny and the nation’s anti-graft institutions challenged to uphold transparency and accountability.