PMO denies Anwar instructed MACC to probe Dr M’s sons, Daim

The Prime Minister’s Office said it does not issue directives or interfere in investigations conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

PETALING JAYA: The Prime Minister’s Office has refuted claims that Anwar Ibrahim had instructed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his sons, and his long-time confidant, Daim Zainuddin.

According to Bloomberg, the PMO also denied instructing MACC chief Azam Baki not to investigate share purchases by Anwar’s former political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.

“The PMO affirms that the prime minister has never issued directives or interfered in investigations conducted by MACC.

“MACC operates as an independent body, acting on the basis of complaints received,” a Bloomberg report quoted the PMO as saying.

Quoting sources, Bloomberg had reported that Azam told MACC officials that instructions to investigate Mahathir and his sons, as well as Daim, a former finance minister, had come from “Anwar himself.”

Mahathir’s sons, Mirzan and Mokhzani, had previously denied being the subject of MACC investigations, saying they were merely ordered to declare their assets as the children of “a person suspected to have committed an offense under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009”.

The brothers also said they were made to understand that the declaration of assets, which they have since completed, was to determine if their father had abused his position as prime minister to enrich them.

Daim had earlier this year claimed trial to a charge under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009 of failing to comply with the terms of an asset declaration notice issued by MACC.

He is accused of failing to declare his ownership of 38 companies, 19 plots of land in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Kedah and Kuala Lumpur, as well as six properties.

He is also accused of failing to declare his ownership of Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd and Amanah Saham Nasional accounts, as well as seven luxury vehicles.

His wife, Naimah Khalid, is accused under the same provision of failing to declare her ownership of various companies, several plots of land and two vehicles.

Azam’s office also denied the allegations in the Bloomberg report, saying MACC operates independently and “has the authority to investigate allegations of corruption without seeking permission from anyone, not even from the prime minister.”

“MACC firmly refutes claims regarding any instructions from the prime minister to influence or obstruct specific investigations,” it was quoted as saying.