Malaysia anti-graft body expands probe into Mahathir’s assets to Switzerland
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Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has claimed that the investigation into his alleged overseas assets is politically motivated.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
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KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has widened its investigation into former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad’s alleged overseas assets to include Switzerland, in addition to ongoing cooperation with the authorities in the UK.
Confirming the matter, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the agency remains in close contact with the UK’s International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC), while also extending its scope to other jurisdictions.
“We are still collaborating with UK authorities, among them the IACCC, which is assisting us should there be any assets involving Dr Mahathir. There is no development yet,” he told reporters at the Integrity and Leadership Day on Sept 24.
Asked if other countries were involved, he added: “Yes, we are also looking at other countries such as Switzerland. At the moment, the two countries are the UK and Switzerland.”
In a Facebook post on Sept 11, Tun Dr Mahathir said he was puzzled by reports quoting Tan Sri Azam that Malaysia was working with foreign authorities, particularly those in the UK, to examine his assets.
The 100-year-old former leader alleged that the probe was politically motivated and a deliberate attempt by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to delay a defamation suit Dr Mahathir had filed.
Dr Mahathir claimed Datuk Seri Anwar had requested two weeks to respond to the lawsuit, but that two years had passed without the case reaching the court.
In May 2023, the former premier filed a RM150 million (S$45.9 million) suit against Mr Anwar over remarks suggesting he had accumulated wealth for personal benefit during his tenure as prime minister.
On April 17, 2025, it was reported that Dr Mahathir would proceed with legal action after Mr Anwar failed to respond to a letter of demand for an apology over the statement made on March 18, 2023.
On Sept 9, Bernama quoted sources as saying that MACC was working with the British authorities to trace and recover assets allegedly linked to Dr Mahathir, his family and associates.
According to the report, MACC has held multiple meetings with the IACCC, a unit under the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), in connection with the case.
The cooperation follows a Mutual Legal Assistance agreement signed between MACC and NCA in December 2024 to facilitate international asset recovery and anti-corruption measures.
The broader investigation reportedly covers assets suspected to have been parked in Canada, Switzerland, Japan and the UK.
Dr Mahathir has consistently denied the allegations, insisting that he does not possess extraordinary wealth and describing the claims as politically motivated. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
