Group finds offshore money of Malaysian politicians

The findings may have an impact on Malaysian elections in which the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which has controlled Malaysia through coalition governments since independence in 1957, faces a formidable opposition that promises to end corruption, cronyism and authoritarian rule.

The country's election commission chairman Aziz Yusof said yesterday that polling will take place on May 5 and the two-week official campaign period would begin on April 20.

ICIJ said Mirzan Mahathir, the eldest son of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, is a director and shareholder of three offshore companies incorporated in Malaysia's Labuan island.

Mahathir is campaigning for Barisan Nasional, the ruling coalition. There is no evidence of wrongdoing by Mirzan. But he is named in an Indian court affidavit related to investigations into Kakinada port in India.

An international shipping consortium led by Mirzan won a contract to expand the Indian port in 1999. The project suffered delays and losses.

A Malaysian tycoon, Michael Chia Tien Foh, is a director or shareholder of three offshore companies, including a British Virgin Islands (BVI) company called CTF International, according to ICIJ. CTF International was alleged by whistleblower website Sarawak Report of being a conduit in channelling millions of ringgit to a Hong Kong account allegedly linked to Musa Aman, chief minister of the state of Sabah. Musa has denied any business ties with Chia, said ICIJ.