TTF: Dr Mahathir Mohamad does not need to wait for GE14 to declare his assets (see news item below). Since it is he who claims the government has grown out of synch with the people, it is his duty to prove that he has their concerns at heart. The first step in that direction is to address claims that he defrauded taxpayers while he was Prime Minister.
And the only way he can do that would be to declare his assets now – not next month, next Christmas or in the year 2237. He must prove that he did not gain USD7 million from Bank Bumiputera Finance (BMF) or amass some billions derived off money that originated from Bank Negara (BNM). And let us not forget the USD30 or so million he ‘squeezed’ off the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, the man who founded the Genting Group.
Then, there is the money he raked in from metal trade manipulation, the millions he and his son squeezed off Maybank through a share swap deal, the money he stashed in his ‘kitchen cabinets’ with the help of the late Tan Sri Eric Chia…
KUALA LUMPUR: Ex-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that he will declare his assets provided he is fielded in the 14th general elections (GE14).
In a press conference today, Dr Mahathir was questioned if he would declare his assets after INVOKE, a non-government organisation (NGO) led by PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, announced that 30 incumbent federal and state lawmakers, as well as senior prospective candidates, would declare their assets this Sunday as part of Invoke’s crowdfunding event.
“That is to do with Invoke. We are not aware of such a thing. He said it’s limited to incumbent, not potential candidates. That’s Invoke’s business.
“Yes. I can declare my asset. I don’t know whether I will be candidate or not. You want me to be candidate?” he asked, drawing laughter.
Last year, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that Dr Mahathir and his family should be investigated over their alleged riches accumulated over the 22 years while he was prime minister.
Hishammuddin, who is also defence minister, said the retired leader-turned-government critic had not been an angel while in power, Malay daily Utusan Malaysia reported on its website.
Hishammuddin was also reported saying it was improper to investigate claims made against a person while the one who made the allegation was spared.
The report did not state the context in which Hishammuddin was making his comment, but he could have been responding to Dr Mahathir’s insinuation over the purportedly dubious RM230 million held by another Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his bank account over 20 years ago.
According to Dr Mahathir who was prime minister from 1981 to 2003, Ahmad Zahid who is the current deputy prime minister, had made the asset declaration to him in 1996.
Source: The Malay Mail Online
