‘WHY IS DR MAHATHIR AFRAID OF DEB ATING ME?’
He should accept my challenge if he is sincere, honest, says former Kita president
FORMER Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita) president Zamil Ibrahim has questioned the rationale behind former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s refusal to debate him on the wealth of the latter’s sons.
Zamil, in a media statement, urged Dr Mahathir to accept his debate challenge and explain how three of his sons became billionaires.
“I found out that Dr Mahathir was stunned when I challenged him to a debate on his children’s wealth, to the extent that they could buy a RM3 billion alcohol company,” he said.
“I want Dr Mahathir to accept my challenge unconditionally if he is sincere and honest.”
Zamil questioned Dr Mahathir’s silence over the issue, adding that since he was vocal in criticising others, he, too, should answer allegations thrown at him.
“I agree when Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said even the wealthiest person on earth could not give birth to three billionaires.
This was not the first time Zamil had questioned Dr Mahathir on his sons’ wealth.
In 2015, Zamil had urged Dr Mahathir to explain his sons’ lavish lifestyle while alleging that his sons owned “super cars” that cost millions and private jets.
Previously, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) Youth wing Armada had urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the assets owned by four of Dr Mahathir’s children.
It was previously reported that Shah Alam PPBM committee member Wan Mohammad Ashraf Nasjaruddin last year had alleged that the wealth accumulated by Dr Mahathir had aroused suspicion, and repeated demands for answers to its origins had been ignored.
He claimed that searches had revealed that close to 500 companies were registered under Dr Mahathir and four of his children’s names.
Wan Mohammad alleged that 16 companies were under Dr Ma hath ir’ s name ,29 were under his daughter Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir’s name, 156 were under Tan Sri Mirzan Mahathir’s name, 158 were under Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir’s name, and
126 were under Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir’s name.
He had since lodged a report with MACC on the matter.
PPBM Armada executive councillor Abdul Wahazir Abdul Wahabi had also last year alleged that Marina, Mokhzani, Mukhriz and Mirzan had owned more than 480 companies since Dr Mahathir’s tenure as prime minister.
Wahazir also lodged a report with MACC on the matter.
He said after his own investigation and meeting Dr Mahathir on the matter, the latter had denied the allegations.
Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) had also asked for Dr Mahathir to come clean on the wealth of Mirzan and Mokhzani.
JMM alleged that they had become rich during Dr Mahathir’s 22-year administration.
To back its claim, JMM held up a list of supercars allegedly owned by Mokhzani, worth RM36.2 million in total, including one McLaren P1, said to be worth RM6.2 million.