[UPDATED] MACC expected to charge senior political leader

KUALA LUMPUR – A veteran political leader is expected to be charged for graft in relation to the Jana Wibawa stimulus initiative as well as the government’s additional spending during the Covid-19 lockdown period.

A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision (MACC) source confirmed that the politician in question, a senior party leader, will be charged under the MACC Act 2009.

However, the exact charges and further details have yet to be known at the time of writing.

It is understood that the politician has been asked to present himself at the MACC headquarters tomorrow morning.

Previously, a couple of Bersatu leaders were charged in relation to the Jana Wibawa initiative, formally known as Program Jana Ekonomi Pemerkasaan Kontraktor Bumiputera Berwibawa. 

It 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.

Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan was charged with soliciting and receiving bribes worth RM6.9 million to help a private firm secure a central spine road government contract worth RM232 million in 2022.

He and Segambut Bersatu deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad are the first two people charged with corruption involving Jana Wibawa, which was introduced by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when he was prime minister.

Muhyiddin during his tenure as prime minister had also approved additional government spending on March 31, 2021. This was during a state of emergency from January 1 to August 1 of the same year. 

The approval for the additional or emergency expenditure was on top of what was passed in Budget 2021 earlier.

It was not approved by Parliament which had been suspended during the state of emergency declared due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Earlier today, a news portal had also reported that Muhyiddin was arrested by MACC for allegations of graft.

However, in a Facebook post, Muhyiddin had strongly denied these reports, stating that he was merely called to give his statement tomorrow at the MACC headquarters at 11am.

“I would like to explain that a news report stating that I was arrested today at a golf course is fake

“Today I was present at several meetings pertaining to Bersatu’s annual general assembly due to be held starting this Friday.

“However, tomorrow on Thursday, I am asked to be present at MACC headquarters at 11am,’’ he said.

Previously, it was reported that Muhyiddin was also a suspect in the investigation of Jana Wibawa by MACC. – The Vibes, March 8, 2023