Pandora Papers Dr M Says No Laws Broken But May Be Morally Inappropriate

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Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said individuals implicated in the Pandora Papers exposé have not broken any laws if they had paid taxes in the countries where they conducted their businesses.
However, the Parti Pejuang Tanahair founder said such actions remain inappropriate if viewed from a moral perspective.
"It is up to the government. By law, there is nothing wrong, but morally it may be inappropriate to store cash overseas.
"Some of them made profits overseas. Not here (in Malaysia) and they paid taxes in those countries," said Mahathir during a press conference at Yayasan Al-Bukhary in Kuala Lumpur today.
"If they were to bring the cash here, they may be subjected to other payments.
"So they did not do anything wrong here on in the countries where they conducted business. If they evaded tax there, then that is wrong," said Mahathir.
He said this when asked about the government's move to allow the MACC to probe allegations that surfaced through the Pandora Papers.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Oct 16 said individuals implicated in the Pandora Papers could risk action by authorities if there were evidence to back up the claims.
The Pandora Papers refer to a trove of more than 11.9 million confidential files leaked to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists by 14 offshore services firms from around the world.
The firms provide services including setting up shell companies and other offshore nooks for clients often seeking to keep their financial activities in the shadows.
Malaysiakini as the only local media involved in the global partnership had exposed Malaysians in the leak including Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, deputy finance minister Yamani Hafez Musa, Bagan Datuk MP and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Selayang MP William Leong, and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.
All individuals said their dealings with offshore entities, including owning or sitting on the boards of such firms, were legitimate, and due taxes had been paid for any assets and earnings related to the offshore companies. - Mkini

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