Mahathir snaps back: Investigate all the Tuns
Responding to calls for an audit into alleged loss of pubic funds under his 22-year reign, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today any investigation must involve all the 'Tuns'.
Responding to calls for an audit into alleged loss of public funds under his 22-year reign, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today any investigation must involve all the 'Tuns'.
"Not only me... all the Tuns should be audited. And their sons and grandsons too," the former premier hit out at press conference in Putrajaya today.
The Tun title is the highest federal award conferred by the Agong and is usually bestowed on former premiers, ex-senior cabinet members and retired chief justices.
Some of the more prominent Tuns are former MCA chief Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is currently facing trial for cheating the cabinet, former PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam.
Mahathir was responding to a question on DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang's call for an accounting of the losses of nearly RM100 billion in public funds.
Lim has claimed that this took place during Mahathir's 22-year tenure as prime minister.
Lim cited the recent settlement of the court case between national carrier MAS and business tycoon Tajuddin Ramli as an indicator that an audit of past losses is needed, since the current administration seems not to have learnt from the mistakes during Mahathir's stint in office.
Mahathir was speaking to reporters after meeting with supreme council members from Mubarak, the association of former elected representatives.
The group met Mahathir to discuss preparations to face the 13th general election.
Asked about the decision by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak (right) to allow the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) access to asset declarations of cabinet ministers, Mahathir lauded the move.
"Asset declaration is a good thing," agreed Mahathir.
However, he said, he believes that it should not be extended to full public disclosure.
"It shall never end, if you first declare to the PM, then to the MACC and then the public. And the public will need to set up a body to scrutinise the declaration," added Mahathir.
