Investigation Targets Former Prime Minister’s Alleged Wealth Abroad
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed it is investigating assets allegedly linked to former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad in the United Kingdom. Chief Commissioner Azam Baki said on Tuesday that investigators are gathering “detailed information” on the holdings. This is the first time officials have revealed a possible UK connection.
The probe is part of a sweeping crackdown on corruption involving Malaysia’s elite. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim launched the campaign last year, targeting politicians, tycoons, and senior officials. Mahathir, now 100 years old, insists the campaign is politically motivated.
Sons Declared Enormous Wealth
The MACC investigation into Mahathir began after his two elder sons, Mokhzani and Mirzan, were ordered to declare their assets. In January, the commission revealed the brothers had declared wealth worth 1.2 billion ringgit, or about US$284 million.
Mahathir defended his family, saying the MACC never claimed his sons’ fortunes were gained illegally. Still, the size of their declared assets shocked many Malaysians struggling with high living costs. Critics argue that the declarations raise questions about how political families accumulated such fortunes while in public life.
Allies Face Charges
Three people have already been charged under Anwar’s anti-corruption drive. One of them was Daim Zainuddin, Mahathir’s close ally and a former finance minister. Daim and his wife, Naimah Abdul Khalid, were accused of failing to declare their assets. Authorities seized Ilham Tower, a prized skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur, from the family.
Daim died in November at the age of 86. He was posthumously released from his charge earlier this year.
Another high-profile figure caught in the dragnet is businessman Robert Tan Hua Choon, known as Malaysia’s “Casio King.” Tan was accused of making false declarations to secure an US$840 million contract to manage the government’s fleet of vehicles in 2019, during Mahathir’s second term. He had held a similar deal since 1993. Tan is widely regarded as close to Daim, strengthening the view that investigators are circling Mahathir’s old network of loyalists.
Political Feud Shapes Crackdown
Mahathir and Anwar share one of the most bitter rivalries in Malaysian politics. Mahathir sacked Anwar as deputy prime minister in 1998. Soon after, Anwar was jailed on charges of corruption and sodomy. Anwar and his supporters insist the charges were fabricated to end his rise.
The feud shaped the country’s politics for more than two decades. Anwar eventually returned to power in 2022, pledging to clean up a system long plagued by graft and patronage. Critics now argue that his anti-corruption push is also a tool of political revenge.
Supporters of Anwar say otherwise. They argue that the crackdown is necessary to dismantle entrenched networks of political and business elites who enriched themselves at public expense.
Mahathir Stands Defiant
Mahathir remains a towering figure in Malaysia, even at 100 years old. He served two terms as prime minister, first from 1981 to 2003, and again from 2018 to 2020 at the record-breaking age of 92.
He has repeatedly denied allegations of using political power to enrich his family. Speaking last month, Mahathir said the investigation is part of a broader attempt to silence him. “They want to shut me up,” he said. “I have nothing to hide.”
Despite his age, Mahathir still speaks out against Anwar’s leadership and policies. His sharp criticism continues to draw attention and stir debate in Malaysia.
Broader Implications for Malaysia
The probe into Mahathir’s alleged overseas assets raises questions about how far Anwar’s campaign will go. Investigating a former prime minister of Mahathir’s stature signals that no figure is untouchable. Yet it also risks deepening divisions in an already polarized political landscape.
For many Malaysians, the issue is simple. They want answers about how leaders and their families amassed such extraordinary wealth. They also want accountability in a country where scandals like 1MDB damaged global credibility and domestic trust.
But others fear the investigation could become selective justice, punishing rivals while sparing allies. Much depends on whether the MACC pursues cases consistently, regardless of political ties.
What Comes Next
For now, the MACC continues to dig into Mahathir’s alleged UK assets. Azam Baki said updates will be provided once more information is available. No charges have been filed directly against Mahathir.
The coming months could prove pivotal. If investigators uncover evidence of wrongdoing, Malaysia could see its most dramatic corruption case yet. If the probe stalls or appears biased, it could backfire on Anwar, reinforcing claims of political vendetta.
Either way, the nation is watching closely. The fate of Malaysia’s most famous leader, and the credibility of its current prime minister, hang in the balance.
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