A columnist for Utusan Malaysia has called on former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his allies in Pakatan Harapan to walk the talk on combating corruption.

Zulkiflee Bakar said they can prove their sincerity by supporting the call for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to probe the wealth of Mahathir's children.

The columnist noted how when Mahathir was still with Umno, it was the opposition who were clamouring for answers regarding this issue.

"As a leader who takes pride in (the fact) that none of his children occupied senior positions in Umno when he was prime minister and president of Umno, I am sure Mahathir would not be afraid of disclosing in detail how his children became rich.

"What more when the former premier often gives the impression that throughout his 22 years of leading the nation, he was the cleanest leader who never practised cronyism or helped his children become millionaires.

"So this is the time for Mahathir to answer all questions regarding his children's wealth which has been talked about for decades," he added.

Among others, Zulkiflee said, the people want to know the truth behind the "allegation by certain quarters" that in 1997, three of Mahathir's children who were then in their 30s held directorships in some 200 Malaysian firms.

"If Mahathir had once considered that the allegations by (former opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim towards his children were slander, now he has the opportunity to prove this by giving room to MACC to carry out an investigation.

"This step is crucial for Mahathir's good name and reputation..., he added.

The writer also urged Mahathir to emulate Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who said that he is willing to be investigated following the former premier casting aspersion on his wealth.

Mahathir, last week, had claimed that Zahid failed to provide a clear answer on the RM230 million in his bank account when he declared his wealth to the former premier in 1996.

However, the Utusan columnist pointed out that if Mahathir was truly transparent, he would have ordered MACC's predecessor, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), to initiate a probe.

Zulkiflee also said it should not come as a surprise if Mahathir targetted Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and other ministers next.