Former Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir says he is ‘not concerned in corrupt practices’

Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad mentioned he and his relations weren’t concerned  in any “corrupt practices.”

Final month, Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Fee mentioned Mahathir was amongst people being investigated over a corruption probe that concerned his sons, in keeping with Reuters.

Mahathir’s sons — Mirzan and Mokhzani — have been in January ordered to declare their belongings as a part of the investigation.

“Throughout my time, there was corruption. However I personally was not concerned in corrupt practices,” Mahathir informed CNBC’s “Squawk Field Asia” on Thursday.

“I made certain that even my household can’t be concerned in a authorities enterprise as a result of I is perhaps accused of nepotism.”

The 98-year-old two-time former premier famous he and his sons would “cooperate absolutely,” with Malaysia’s anti-corruption company.

“To this point, they’ve solely requested my sons to make the declaration of belongings. The investigation doesn’t contain demanding that I declare my belongings,” Mahathir mentioned, including that he was keen to make a declaration if requested by authorities since he has “nothing to cover.”  

Mahathir’s sons have reportedly mentioned their father was the first goal within the corrupt investigation on whether or not he “abused his place as prime minister.”

Malaysia’s former minister of finance Daim Zainuddin, an ally of Mahathir, has additionally come beneath investigation these days over monetary dealings, in keeping with native media.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to root out corruption however critics have accused him of concentrating on his former political rivals — accusations he has denied.

The nation misplaced a staggering 277 billion ringgit ($58.77 billion) to corruption from 2018 to 2023, in keeping with a current authorities report towards corruption. It additionally highlighted the political ramifications of corruption have been “undeniably extreme.”

Over 80% of Malaysians expressed a “lack of belief and respect” for politicians and nationwide leaders as a direct consequence of ongoing corruption points, the report said. 

The dearth of significant management, appointment of “doubtful characters into key political positions” and lack of political dedication to implement anti-corruption measures or “punish those that engaged in corrupt practices have undermined the belief and effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts to this point,” it added.