KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is expected to summon a former high-level government leader and his private secretary next week to aid in investigations into the embezzlement of millions of ringgit in government funds.
According to Utusan Malaysia, the leader is an MP and is patron of a foundation.
The paper’s source said the MACC’s probe was due to suspicions that he, his wife and his children had amassed wealth through questionable means. The public funds were allegedly misused when projects were awarded to certain individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The MACC is conducting its investigations under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Besides that, Utusan’s source said a separate former high-ranking government leader was also part of the MACC’s investigations over allegations of having used government funds to “save” his son’s business, resulting in the nation’s “petroleum giant” to lose more than RM500 billion since 1979.
The petroleum firm is said to have been used as a “tool” to bail out the government-linked company, which was experiencing financial difficulties.
“Funds from the petroleum giant firm are suspected to have been used to build several national megaprojects. Besides the former top leader, the MACC also has business tycoons on their investigation radar,” the source was quoted as saying.
Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that graft busters must be allowed to carry out their investigations into allegations of wrongdoing to diminish the perception that the government was “protecting” major corruption.
“Whether they (investigated persons) are a Tun or Tan Sri, the MACC will uphold its duty (to investigate alleged misdeeds). If they don’t, there will be criticism on how small fry are captured, but their leaders cannot be touched,” Anwar said. – January 1, 2024