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KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will focus on RM92.5 billion in government funds allegedly misappropriated during a previous administration.
This follows allegations that RM600 billion had been siphoned during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s tenure as prime minister.
However, the amount was revised to RM530 billion after MACC obtained the breakdown of economic stimulus package funds spent by the government in 2020 and 2021 from the Finance Ministry, the commission said in a statement today.
“Based on that amount, RM92.5 billion involves government funds while RM437.5 billion is not from the government.
“Thus, the focus of the MACC investigation will be directed at the RM92.5 billion fund,” MACC said.
The Finance Ministry is also detailing the breakdown of spending and will submit it to the anti-graft agency next week, it added.
On December 6, the agency’s chief Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed opening an investigation paper on the alleged misappropriation of RM600 billion in funds by the previous government.
The allegation had been made by former Melaka chief minister Adly Zahari on November 15 during the general election campaign, and it has since been repeated by other Pakatan Harapan politicians.
Yesterday, MACC invited the public to assist in investigations should they have relevant documents and information.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim meanwhile has said he would leave it to MACC to probe the issue, while former prime minister Muhyiddin has said he is ready to be investigated.
Anwar had also said that the Finance Ministry acknowledged several breaches involving the funds.
The RM530 billion figure was reported in 2021 for the eight economic stimulus packages rolled out by the government to help mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy.
The funds were used for the public health system and the national vaccination programme, to protect businesses, and as cash handouts.
The packages also involved people’s withdrawal of their savings in the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) through special schemes meant to help tide them over during the pandemic lockdowns, which would mean that government funds were not involved in this.
EPF has said that as of the end of 2021, a total of RM101 billion had been withdrawn under three special facilities. – The Vibes, December 9, 2022
