KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has called on relevant parties to submit information pertaining to allegations of irregularities in the use of RM600 billion worth of public funds by the previous administration under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“If necessary, the MACC may also send officers to collect the information or documents,” the agency said in a statement on Thursday (Dec 8).
The MACC also reiterated its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s confirmation on Tuesday that the anti-graft body had opened an investigation paper into the allegations.
“The MACC confirms that an investigation paper has been opened regarding the allegations about several parties misappropriating public funds totalling RM600 billion,” the agency said, adding that it will conduct the probe in a “detailed, transparent and professional” manner.
On Wednesday, the New Straits Times reported that the MACC would summon former prime minister Muhyiddin, as well as former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin and ex-finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, to give statements pertaining to the investigation.
It also reported that the RM600 billion was meant for funds during the Covid-19 pandemic and included money for Covid-19 vaccines.
Zafrul says has yet to be called up
Zafrul, who is now part of the new government as the Minister of International Trade and Industry, said on Thursday that the MACC has yet to contact him, but added that he has nothing to hide and would fully cooperate if called up.
“Earlier, I was asked if I had been called up by the MACC to give a statement on the alleged RM600 billion expenditure issue.
“My answer is simple. [I have] nothing to hide. So far, the MACC has not contacted me. If contacted, I will fully cooperate,” he said in a tweet.
This saga began after Malaysia’s new prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said that the Ministry of Finance had found a breach of procedure in the handling of RM600 billion of public funds during Muhyiddin’s tenure as prime minister.
After being appointed to the helm of the government, as well as appointing himself as finance minister, Anwar has embarked on a quest to review projects and plans approved by the country’s prior administrations, in a bid to fulfil his Pakatan Harapan coalition’s election manifesto promise to fight corruption.
Muhyiddin, who heads the Perikatan Nasional coalition, served as prime minister from March 2020 to August 2021, but now leads the Opposition after losing out to Anwar in forming a government after the 15th general election ended inconclusively with a hung Parliament.