‘MACC HAS PROOF SOME UMNO LEADERS LIVING BEYOND MEANS’
However, I didn’t order probe to pressure Umno members to join Bersatu, says Dr M
THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has evidence that a number of Umno leaders are “living beyond their means”, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday.
However, he said, MACC’s investigation into Umno members was not initiated at his behest.
“(The investigation was not based on) instructions given by me in order for (Umno members to feel pressured into) joining Bersatu,” he said, referring to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, of which he is chairman.
He said MACC had the right to investigate anyone they suspected of having committed a crime, including journalists.
“(The Umno members being investigated) are suspected of being involved in crimes. If they are not involved, there would not be any investigation.
“But the police know… that many of them are living beyond their means,” he said after chairing a Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption meeting.
Present was National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption director-general Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.
Dr Mahathir was asked to comment on reports that the police and MACC were being used to pressure Umno members to leave the party.
Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi had said Dr Mahathir was trying to lure Umno leaders to Pakatan Harapan.
He said the motive was to counter the influence of PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who would return to active politics if he won the Port Dickson by-election.
On Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s courtesy call, Dr Mahathir said: “He came to see me about some ideas (he had). (But) it had nothing to do with joining Bersatu.”
He said many Umno leaders had visited him and “after that, they see everyone (else), including Pas”.
“But (the PH-led government is) open. We won’t send income tax officers after them,” he said sarcastically.
On claims that the 25 charges filed against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak were excessive, Dr Mahathir said he did not interfere in the affairs of the police and MACC.
“That is their business. But I am told that there are many more charges (pending) against him.”