PETALING JAYA: An opposition MP today accused the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) of “selective” investigation by raiding the offices of companies belonging to Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s sons.
Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad, the Amanah MP for Kuala Terengganu, said the IRB’s actions were suspicious.
“Are the raids a coincidence or is the IRB being pressured by Umno to do so, as is suspected by the public?” he said in a statement.
News reports today revealed that the companies of the former premier’s sons — Mokhzani, Mukhriz and Mirzan – were raided by IRB officials on the same day two days ago. The matter was confirmed by their sister Marina Mahathir.
Raja Bahrin questioned the IRB whether its investigation was being carried out comprehensively on the children of all former prime ministers and cabinet ministers.
He pointed out that deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and tourism and culture minister Nazri Aziz were among Umno leaders who called for investigation into the wealth of Mahathir’s family.
He expressed dissatisfaction that the IRB did not include Khairy Jamaluddin, the son-in-law of former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and Riza Aziz, the stepson of current prime minister Najib Razak, in the investigation.
Riza Aziz had been linked to the investigation of the 1MDB scandal by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ), he said.
“By ignoring this case involving the loss of national funds, it looks like the IRB is missing the elephant right in front of its eyes.
“If the IRB continues with its selective attitude, Malaysia will remain the unchallenged kleptocracy champion of the world,” he said.