PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) has evidence that a number of Umno leaders are ‘living beyond their means.’
However, he stressed that the graftbuster’s investigation into Umno members was not initiated at his behest.
“(The investigation was not based on) an instruction given by me, in order for (Umno members to feel pressured into) joining Bersatu," he said.
Dr Mahathir said that the MACC has the right to decide to investigate anyone they suspect of having committed a crime, including journalists.
"(The Umno members investigated) are suspected of having been involved in crimes. If they are not involved, there would not be any investigation.
“But the police know… that many of them are living beyond their means,” he said after chairing the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) meeting here today.
Also present was GIACC director-general Tan Sri Abu Kassim.
The prime minister, who is also chairman of Bersatu, was asked to comment on reports that the police and MACC are being used to pressure Umno members to leave the party.
Senior lecturer at Universiti Malaya, Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, said recently that he believes Dr Mahathir is trying to lure Umno leaders to Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He said the prime minister’s motive is to counter the influence of PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who will return to active politics if he wins the upcoming Port Dickson by-election.
Meanwhile, on the matter of Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein paying him a call, Dr Mahathir said: "He came to see me about some ideas (he had). (But) it had nothing to do with joining Bersatu."
The premier added that a lot of Umno leaders have visited him and that "after that, they see everyone (else), including Pas.
"But (the PH-led government is) open. We won't send income tax officers after them," he said sarcastically.
On claims that the 25 charges filed against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak are excessive, Dr Mahathir said he does not interfere in the affairs of the police and the MACC.
"That is their business. But I am told that there are many more charges (pending) against (Najib),” he said.