15-3-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) A Singaporean businessman has been summoned by Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency as part of a widening investigation into dealings involving former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, amid lingering scepticism over whether the government’s crackdown on graft is well-founded or politically motivated.
“The MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) confirms that a Singaporean businessman and property developer has been called to assist in the ongoing investigation of a high-profile individual in Malaysia,” Datuk Zamri Zainul Abidin, director of MACC’s anti-money laundering division, told The Straits Times. He was responding to reports that Datuk Seri Akbar Khan, a prominent figure, had been summoned as part of the investigations.
“The businessman has also been ordered to declare his assets and the financial holdings of his family. I can confirm that more people are expected to be called for questioning in the near future in relation to this investigation,” Zamri added.
While he did not reveal the identity of the individual summoned, sources confirmed to The Straits Times that Akbar Khan, the executive chairman of BRDB Developments Sdn Bhd, a property company, was being probed by the MACC.
BRDB Developments, which has developed prominent projects such as the Bangsar Shopping Centre and residential and commercial properties in Kuala Lumpur and Johor’s Iskandar Malaysia.
The 83-year-old Khan, previously known for his involvement in the luxury fashion and goods industry, is the latest figure to be caught up in a widening dragnet involving business personalities summoned by the MACC for questioning since Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim took office in November 2022.
The probe into Tun Daim, the former finance minister, began in May 2023, with the anti-graft agency stating that its investigations were launched based on information from the leaked Pandora Papers. These documents, leaked in October 2021, allegedly incriminated hundreds of global politicians and wealthy individuals for tax avoidance and corruption.
In a significant move, the Malaysian authorities seized the multimillion-dollar Ilham Tower in Kuala Lumpur, owned by Daim’s family, on December 18, 2023, as part of the probe. Subsequently, Daim was charged on January 29 with failing to declare his assets under the country’s anti-corruption laws, while his wife faced a similar charge on January 23.
Separate investigations are also underway involving two sons of the former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad.
While Datuk Seri Anwar has stated that the probes showcase his administration’s commitment to battling corruption against prominent figures, critics have questioned whether the cases, which took place more than two decades ago, involve a personal vendetta amid political tensions in recent years between Anwar and the two former prime ministers, Daim and Mahathir.
Daim is an ally of Tun Dr Mahathir, and both have been critical of the Anwar administration, fuelling suspicions of political motivations behind the investigations.
Critics have also noted that allies within Anwar’s ruling coalition, such as Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, have had their corruption cases set aside, while former prime minister Najib Razak had his jail sentence reduced. Meanwhile, Anwar’s government is pursuing alleged corruption offences against his political opponents, including the two former prime ministers, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his son-in-law, and opposition chief Hamzah Zainuddin.
“I think, in general, Malaysians are very happy that the day has come for the reckoning of people like Daim and other billionaires who were created during Mahathir’s time,” commented Professor James Chin from the University of Tasmania. However, he pointed out that some might perceive “hypocrisy involved” with the charges against Datuk Seri Zahid being dropped in September 2023.
Political scientist Azmil Tayeb of Universiti Sains Malaysia acknowledged the importance of the Anwar administration’s anti-graft efforts but cautioned against the perception of selective prosecution and vindictive politics. “It’s good that the administration is taking action on big, well-connected names like Daim and Mahathir’s sons,” he told The Straits Times. “But at the same time, it must not be perceived as selective prosecution and vindictive politics. This is especially so in light of Umno leaders being treated with undeserved leniency. It certainly puts a mark on the administration’s anti-graft efforts.”
