Dr Mahathir, two former finance ministers need to justify Umno's asset loss

SHAH ALAM - Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and two former Finance Ministers Tun Daim Zainuddin and Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop have been urged to explain allegations on the loss of RM100 billion in Umno assets.

This follows the revelation by MalaysiaToday blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin that Dr Mahathir, Daim and Nor are now fighting over the issue of Umno asset loss amounting to around RM100 billion.

Umno veteran secretary general Datuk Mustapha Yaakub said that the people especially Umno members have the right to know the true story behind Petra's reveal

"There is no doubt that Raja Petra's revelation is something serious, it needs an explanation from these three former Umno leaders because it happened when Dr Mahathir was Prime Minister.

"I think the public especially Umno members need to be given an explanation by these three former leaders. For me, this is something serious and involves a huge fund.

"Although this disclosure is quite controversial, for me, the three figures need to come forward for an explanation because it involves public interest. Not to mention, the amount is very huge," he said in a statement on Friday.

A few days ago, Petra in a video claimed that Dr Mahathir, Daim and Nor are now fighting over the loss of Umno assets worth about RM100 billion.

He had pointed that the issue is not a secret. In fact, numerous books had revealed Umno's assets and investments.

Not to mention, there was a disclosure made by Tan Sri Halim Saad in his letter to Dr Mahathir regarding Umno's assets and investments that he previously managed.

Meanwhile, Mustapha said authorities especially the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should investigate the allegation because it is a serious accusation.

"I think it would be good if the authorities also investigate this allegation. If it is true, this is not common with such a large amount," he said.

Mustapha added that the issue has become a public secret and that it was raised when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was Prime Minister and also Umno president.

However, he explained that Najib at that time was quite generous and did not want to expose it in the name of humanity.

"The story of Umno property loss has been a public secret for a long time. Umno members are waiting for the answer.

"When Najib was Umno president and Prime Minister, there was an effort to uncover the secret behind the loss of Umno property, but Najib did not agree on humanitarian grounds," he added.