[UPDATED] I’m not a suspect: Muhyiddin confirms questioning by MACC

KUALA LUMPUR – Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he has given his statement to the anti-graft authorities recently as a witness and not a suspect, over the Jana Wibawa scheme for Bumiputera contractors under his administration when he was prime minister.

“It was nothing to do with the claims by the current prime minister involving billions,” the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman said in a recording of remarks to reporters after attending a blood donation event this morning.

He said he explained to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) what the prime minister’s role in the Jana Wibawa scheme had been, which was to recommend names of contractors for approval by the Finance Ministry (MoF).

“Jana Wibawa was a scheme proposed by the finance minister at the time, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, to help Bumiputera contractors as it was during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of them had to close down (businesses).

“Only MoF had the power to approve and select the companies, whereas the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) was involved to suggest the names of the companies. But the power of approval was not with the PMO.

“I explained this to MACC. I asked if I was a suspect, I was told ‘no’,” Muhyiddin said. 

He said around 54 companies had received approval from MOF under the scheme.

The Pagoh MP added that the Treasury secretary-general at the time, Datuk Seri Asri Hamidon @ Hamidin, had suggested the PMO process applications for the scheme, but Muhyiddin said he rejected this.

“I did not want the power to be with the PMO. It should have nothing to do with me, my only role was to channel the names (of the companies).”

The Jana Wibawa scheme also known as “Program Jana Ekonomi Pemerkasaan Kontraktor Bumiputera Berwibawa” was aimed at expediting project execution by Bumiputera contractors, as part of moves to boost the country’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The scheme involved pre-qualification tenders or direct awards in accordance with MOF guidelines on direct award processes, it was explained in a parliamentary written reply by Zafrul on December 16, 2021.

On February 15, however, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that approvals for RM5.7 billion worth of rural development projects under the Jana Wibawa scheme had been postponed pending a review.

He said the Finance Ministry, which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also heads, wanted to check if they were awarded in accordance with the procurement process and governance requirements.

Media reported yesterday that Muhyiddin had been questioned by the MACC on Thursday, following the agency’s recent move to freeze his party Bersatu’s bank accounts.

Muhyiddin said the line of MACC’s questioning showed that the allegations made by Anwar against him were untrue and were aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

He said he was mulling further legal action.

MACC has been probing allegations that RM92.5 billion in economic stimulus funds were misappropriated when Muhyiddin was prime minister, and in January arrested the CEO of a private company for allegedly serving as a middleman in the distribution of government projects.

Media have also reported, citing sources, that RM300 million was supposedly given to Bersatu by contractors for projects during Muhyiddin’s administration.

Last week, Muhyiddin denied another allegation that he had been involved in awarding a contract for the National Integrated Immigration System to Iris Corporation Bhd, a company linked to his son-in-law while he was prime minister. – The Vibes, February 18, 2023