Mahathir wants taxman to scrutinise Jho Low, PM Najib’s stepson
KUALA LUMPUR — Dr Mahathir Mohamad today (July 3) asked if the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has inspected the finances of flamboyant tycoon Low Taek Jho and the prime minister’s stepson, Mr Riza Aziz, over what he described as their lavish spending.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad today questioned if the Inland Revenue Department has inspected the finances of several people, including tycoon Low Taek Jho, Mr Najib Razak's stepson Riza Aziz, as well as 1MDB staff. Photo: Malay Mail Online
KUALA LUMPUR — Dr Mahathir Mohamad today (July 3) asked if the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has inspected the finances of flamboyant tycoon Low Taek Jho and the prime minister’s stepson, Mr Riza Aziz, over what he described as their lavish spending.
Citing his own experience with the tax authorities, the former prime minister said the department was so fearsome that he once paid twice the taxes he owed for fear of being raided by them and sacked from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
“The income tax people are always on the lookout for people who live beyond their means. They would raid these people and would force them to pay additional tax should they feel that the culprit had not paid up fully on their wealth,” he said in his latest blog post. “But of late, we see some selectivity in the focus of the income tax people.”
Among others, Dr Mahathir cited reports of properties abroad valued at hundreds of millions of ringgit said to be owned by the stepson of Prime Minister Najib Razak.
He also questioned if the IRB examined how the Penang tycoon better known as Mr Jho Low funded the reported purchase of a local bank for US$260 million (S$350 million).
Dr Mahathir similarly asked about the executives of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), and whether they met their tax obligations.
“It is a secret of course. But I just want to ask, has the income tax people investigated the source of the money and the tax paid.”
It is unclear what prompted the former prime minister’s latest entry, but his recent attacks against 1MDB over its debts and alleged mismanagement have been blunted by the arrest of the former PetroSaudi International executive that is believed to be the source of leaked documents linked to the Malaysian firm.
Xavier Justo, who was arrested and charged in Thailand with blackmailing the Middle Eastern firm, is also suspected of tampering with the documents that are believed to be the basis of some allegations levelled at 1MDB. MALAY MAIL ONLINE
Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.
Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.
By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.
