KUALA LUMPUR – Former finance minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz says he is prepared to be investigated over allegations involving a Covid-19 stimulus aid for Bumiputera contractors proposed by him.
In a brief posting on his Instagram, the newly-appointed Umno Supreme Council member said he has nothing to hide pertaining to the Jana Wibawa initiative.
“The media asked me about Jana Wibawa. There’s nothing to hide, and I am always ready to give my statement if I am requested to,” he said last night.
His statement comes just two days after former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on the government initiative which was rolled out during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Yesterday morning, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman confirmed to reporters that he had given his statement to the anti-graft body, but said it was in his capacity as a witness and not a suspect.
“It was nothing to do with the claims by the current prime minister involving billions,” he had said.
Muhyiddin said he had informed investigators that the prime minister’s role in the Jana Wibawa scheme was merely to recommend names of Bumiputra contractors for the approval of the Finance Ministry (MoF), then helmed by Zafrul.
He explained that the programme, which was the brainchild of Zafrul, was to help contractors affected by the pandemic.
“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, adding that 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.
The Jana Wibawa initiative, 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, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that approvals for RM5.7 billion worth of rural development projects under Jana Wibawa had been postponed pending a review to determine if the awards were done in accordance with the procurement process and governance requirements. – The Vibes, February 19, 2023
