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KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz says he is open to being investigated by the authorities over the alleged misappropriation of public funds during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration, but believes there is no arising issue.
Speaking to reporters today, the international trade and industry minister said while he had nothing to hide, he also did not see the need to provide any public explanation on the matter.
“I don’t want to explain at the moment because we will wait first to see if there is anything for us to explain. The Finance Ministry can explain,” he said after attending an event at Bandar Malaysia, here, today.
“What’s important is that if there is any arising issue that is not right, we will highlight it. But I don’t think there is any.
“And if I receive a call from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, I will cooperate. The Finance Ministry will do the same.”
Zafrul was asked to comment on reports that he will be called up by MACC to assist the probe into the alleged misappropriation of RM600 billion in government funds during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.
The Vibes had reported yesterday that he is one of three prominent politicians who will be summoned by the anti-graft body, the other two being Muhyiddin and Khairy Jamaluddin, who served as science and technology minister under Muhyiddin.
Zafrul was the finance minister during that period and continued in the same role in the Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob administration.
According to Zafrul, he has yet to be contacted by MACC to assist in the probe.
“If we are contacted, of course we will cooperate. We have nothing to hide. But I have not received any calls from MACC.
“More importantly, there’s nothing to hide. So, obviously, we’re more than ready if I get the call."
On Tuesday, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed to Bernama that it had opened an investigation paper on the alleged misappropriation by the previous government, but declined to reveal further details.
The controversy over the usage of emergency funds totalling more than RM600 billion during the Covid-19 pandemic was raised by former Melaka chief minister Adly Zahari on November 15.
On Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he would leave it to the investigative body to look into the aforementioned alleged misappropriation.
According to Anwar, the Finance Ministry had confirmed serious procedural breaches involving the funds.
Muhyiddin said on Monday that he is not afraid to be investigated over the controversy. – The Vibes, December 8, 2022
