MACC: 30-day extension only for Mirzan
KUALA LUMPUR: A 30-day extension has been granted only to Mirzan Mahathir for the declaration of assets, said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Mirzan is one of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s two sons who are under investigation.
Azam, in confirming the matter, said the extension was allowed after the businessman requested for more time to comply with MACC’s asset declaration notice.
“Yes, we have granted an additional 30-day grace period for him (Mirzan) to declare his assets.
“So far, the extension is only for Mirzan and not applicable to his brother,” he said, adding that the new deadline would be in March, and no longer on Feb 18.
Azam said Mirzan had made the request through his lawyer, citing as reason that some of the records dated back to more than 40 years ago.
On Jan 18, MACC summoned Mirzan, the eldest of Dr Mahathir’s children, to facilitate an ongoing investigation into his wealth.
He was issued a notice under Section 36(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009 to declare his all his assets within 30 days.
Meanwhile, his younger brother, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir, is being investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and the AntiMoney Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
He is also required to declare his assets within the same stipulated period.
On Feb 6, Azam reportedly said that MACC had not received any response from Mirzan or Mokhzani, and that the duo could face prosecution if they failed to comply with the notice.
On Feb 8, Mirzan and Mokhzani issued a press release asking MACC to be “patient”.
They said it was an almost impossible task to gather all the information required since 1981 within such a short period.