KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made a baseless claim when he said that the prime minister, deputy prime minister, and Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission chief commissioner are were the most challenging people for authorities to investigate.
Malaysian Corruption Watch secretary-general Rosdi Amir said this is because MACC had previously initiated an investigation against Datuk Seri Najib Razak in 2015 when he was still prime minister.
He said there was also an investigation against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on the Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) funds case.
"There are also investigations into other individuals, including ministers or former ministers from various political parties, whether in the government or opposition. Enumerating them might be a challenge, and we may have 'lost count.'
"Therefore, where is the claim of 'selective investigation and prosecution'?" Rosdi said in a statement.
He said MACC has never had a policy of selective investigations, adding that anyone who caused losses or misappropriation of public funds will be investigated.
"Accusations against the MACC like this have become something common as they come from certain parties with political or other agenda," he said.
On claims that Dr Mahathir's son, Mirzan, was threatened with five years in prison by MACC officers if he did not declare assets, he said it is the standard operating procedures under the Powers of Acquisition of Information Act 2009.
According to Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, any person intentionally disregarding or failing to comply with the terms of the notice to declare assets have committed an offence and, when convicted, may be imprisoned for a period not exceeding five years and fined not exceeding RM100,000.
This means that individuals committing such an offence must be brought to court and convicted before receiving a prison sentence.
"Typically, this section will be read and explained by MACC officers to obtain informed consent from the individual, making their consent valid.
"Therefore, it should not be misconstrued as a threat because it is a standard operating procedure, and the submission of the Notice of Declaration of Assets is part of the investigation process.
"If indeed the individual's child (Mirzan Mahathir) was threatened, why did they not file a police report, as such threats are criminal offences? It is clear that the claim of threats is unfounded and merely a political ploy to tarnish the image and credibility of the enforcement agency," said Rosdi.
Yesterday, Dr Mahathir had said it is harder to investigate those in power, especially the prime minister, senior ministers and the chief commissioner MACC rather than "Tuns."
He had also questioned why Tan Sri Azam Baki was not investigated even though he allowed his brother to operate his share-trading account and bought millions of shares.
He had also claimed that politicians and MACC is selectively prosecuting those against the current regime.
On Sunday, Dr Mahathir claimed his son has also been threatened with imprisonment for five years.
Dr Mahathir also claimed that threats were given to his son, after he was accused of abusing his power and possessing billions of ringgit when he was prime minister.