MUKHRIZ CHALLENGED TO DEBATE ON HIS WEALTH BY EX-AIDE
Ex-special officer wants former Kedah MB to explain how he allegedly amassed billions
AFORMER aide to Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir yesterday challenged the latter to a debate to explain how he allegedly amassed billions of ringgit in a short period.
Hours later, Mukhriz accepted the challenge, saying that it should be held as soon as next Wednesday.
The challenge was from Haris Che Mat, who was Mukhriz’s special officer when the latter was Kedah menteri besar.
Haris said he and the people wanted to know whether the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president inherited his fortune or obtained it from other sources.
“As far as I know, Mukhriz is not from a wealthy family. He could not have inherited the wealth from his father, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“As a former prime minister, the most Dr Mahathir could have saved is just RM9 million, assuming he did not spend a single sen from his RM30,000 monthly income as the prime minister for 22 years,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
However, Haris declined to elaborate on the wealth Mukhriz allegedly amassed and the time the latter had taken to become a multi-billionaire.
He said he would reveal more details before the debate.
Haris, who is also Pokok Sena Umno division vice-chief, said he wanted to challenge Mukhriz following the recent actions of Dr Mahathir, who “acted as if he was free of corruption”.
“Mukhriz must explain to the public how he and his brothers — as children of a former prime minister — had become multi-billionaires.
“I wish to remind Mukhriz not to twist the facts because as his former special officer, I have enough information and secrets on him that I can reveal during the debate.”
Haris told Mukhriz to decide the date and time for the debate, saying that as long as it was held before Ramadan, which is due to begin by the end of May, and in the Jerlun parliamentary constituency.
Mukhriz, when asked to comment on the matter yesterday, said he would not set any condition for the debate, but wished that it could be held here instead of Jerlun as Haris suggested.
“I have been waiting for him to challenge me to a debate so that I can answer every single allegation he has made.
“Honestly, I am also shocked by his allegation that I have a multi-billion-ringgit fortune, so I am keen to hear what information he will reveal at the debate,” Mukhriz said at the state Parti Amanah Negara headquarters, where he took part in a live forum that the party organised.
“If Haris feels the date is not suitable, he can propose another date, but I hope it will be soon instead of waiting until May.”
It was reported that Haris had dared Mukhriz to swear on the Quran to prove that he and his father knew nothing about a plot to sabotage the initial public offering (IPO) for 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Haris had also challenged Mukhriz to swear that he had no intention to force Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak out of office to fast track Mukhriz’s rise to the prime minister’s post.
Haris alleged that a certain group had sabotaged the IPO, which forced 1MDB to put on hold the plan to issue the IPO, leading to the firm’s financial troubles, which were used to attack Najib.
Mukhriz had denied such a conspiracy to topple Najib, claiming that the allegations were baseless.