Former PM Muhyiddin to be summoned by Malaysia’s anti-graft agency: Report
KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to be summoned by Malaysia’s anti-graft agency as part of investigations into the party’s funds.
The New Straits Times (NST), citing a source, reported on Tuesday (Feb 14) that Mr Muhyiddin will have his statement taken by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) “in the near future”.
"Muhyiddin will be called to have his statement recorded over the alleged RM300 million (US$68 million) that the party is said to have received as political funds from contractors that were awarded projects under his administration.
"Checks also showed almost all the donors who contributed to the party's accounts were contractors who were awarded government contracts during Muhyiddin's premiership," according to the NST report.
Mr Muhyiddin was Malaysia’s 8th prime minister from March 2020 to August 2021.
Other Bersatu leaders are believed to have been summoned by the MACC to have their statements recorded, including the party’s treasurer.
The source cited by NST confirmed that two bank accounts, with a total balance of RM40 million, belonging to Bersatu have been frozen by the MACC.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki had earlier confirmed on Feb 2 that the commission froze several Bersatu bank accounts as part of its investigations into the alleged embezzlement of RM600 billion in funds used by the previous PN-led government during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022.
Calls for an official investigation into the stimulus spending during the pandemic grew after there were perceptions that PN ran a well-funded election campaign leading up to the 15th General Election on Nov 19 last year.
Mr Muhyiddin, who is the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, has since denied the allegations, calling it an attempt at silencing the opposition by the new unity government.
PANDORA PAPERS: MORE INDIVIDUALS TO BE SUMMONED BY MACC
In a separate investigation by the anti-graft agency into the Pandora Papers, The Star reported that more individuals will be summoned.
Citing a source, the Star reported that the MACC called up a former finance minister on Monday.
“For now, investigators are looking into the case involving this individual. The rest will be called up as well if the situation warrants it,” according to the report.
The report said that an 84-year-old former minister was summoned to explain claims of a money trail to 12 offshore companies alleged to be owned by him and his family.
The MACC is also reportedly attempting to trace overseas assets and investments linked to the former minister and his family.
No accounts have been frozen for now. “They will seek for accounts to be frozen if necessary. But for now, they have not done so as the investigation is still in its early stages,” a source was quoted as saying by The Star.
The Pandora Papers are a trove of 11.9 million leaked financial documents naming heads of state, billionaires and celebrities who use offshore companies to acquire mansions, private jets and stakes in companies, with little or no transparency.
