Malaysia Extends Deadline for Mahathir’s Son to Declare Assets

(Bloomberg) -- Malaysian anti-graft officials granted one of Mahathir Mohamad’s sons more time to declare his wealth amid an investigation into his business activities.

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Mirzan Mahathir was initially told on Jan. 18 to declare all his assets within 30 days. Failure to do so could have seen him charged in court, which happened to Mahathir’s former adviser last month.

“We are giving him the extension after he applied for additional time to declare his assets,” Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Azam Baki said in a text message on Saturday. While he didn’t comment on the new deadline, the Star newspaper said another 30 days was given to Mirzan.

The order is part of MACC’s investigation after Mirzan’s name appeared in leaks of offshore business records that were revealed in recent years by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, a global media network.

Malaysian authorities have stepped up probes involving former leaders and rivals to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim since he rose to power in 2022 on an anti-graft platform. Those embroiled in investigations include ex-premiers Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Muhyiddin Yassin, as well as the chief of an opposition-led state.

Mahathir, who was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 26 for an infection, has said Mirzan was targeted for being his son and the probe was politically motivated. Several days after Mahathir spoke to the media, MACC revealed it had issued an asset declaration notice to another son, Mokhzani, as well.

Anwar has sought to allay fresh criticism against his reform agenda after former leader Najib Razak was granted a sentence reduction for his role in crimes related to state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd. Najib is a member of the United Malays National Organisation, a party that helped Anwar gain power.

The leniency was a result of royal intervention and came less than a year after the government withdrew 47 criminal charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also UMNO’s president. Anwar has denied interfering in the cases, as well as in MACC’s investigations.

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