PUTRAJAYA: Following investigations into the asset declaration issue, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) says it has no immediate plans to arrest former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“We have no plans to detain Dr Mahathir as investigations are still ongoing,” MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told reporters when met after he launched the National Anti-Corruption Strategies 2024-2028 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.

Azam was responding to a question on whether the former premier would be detained following MACC’s investigations.

On April 26, Azam confirmed that Dr Mahathir was among those being investigated over their asset declarations.

On Jan 18 and Jan 26, the MACC served Dr Mahathir’s sons Mirzan and Tan Sri Mokhzani with a notice to declare all movable and immovable assets under their possession, in the country and abroad, within 30 days from the date of the notice.

They were later given a 30-day extension by the MACC owing to the extensive nature of their assets.

Mokhzani was then investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Separately, Azam said no investigations have commenced against Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming over the RM5.21mil allocation for the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council ahead of the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

“There are no reports at the moment.

“But the MACC will take note of what was reported in the media.

“We will look into it to determine if the issue involves corruption or not,” he said.

Earlier this month, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) criticised a RM5.21mil allocation announcement to upgrade public infrastructure facilities in Kuala Kubu Baru.

Bersih claimed that the announcement was a form of vote buying and against campaigning laws.

Nga has since said that he is ready to cooperate with the Election Commission in connection with the complaints.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/08/no-plans-to-arrest-dr-m-says-macc-chief