Malaysia opens probe into alleged misuse of RM600b in government funds
MALAYSIA’S anti-graft agency will summon former premier Muhyiddin Yassin and two ex-cabinet ministers who served in his administration for the alleged misappropriation of RM600 billion (S$185.2 billion) of public funds for tackling the pandemic.
The other two are former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin and ex-finance minister Zafrul Aziz, who now heads the international trade and industry ministry in the new government, the New Straits Times (NST) reported, citing people it did not name.
The funds for the pandemic included resources for vaccines, the newspaper added.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki told NST that the agency had opened an investigation.
It was not immediately clear when the three politicians would be summoned.
“There have been no calls from the MACC yet,” Zafrul told reporters at a separate event.
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He added: “If contacted, I will cooperate fully. We have nothing to hide.”
Aides to Muhyiddin and Khairy, as well as anti-graft agency officials did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
News of the probe comes as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is reviewing projects and plans approved by past administrations in a bid to burnish his credentials as a reformist and fulfil his alliance’s election manifesto promises to fight corruption.
Anwar himself faces criticism for picking the head of the former ruling coalition who faces graft charges as one of his deputies.
Anwar this week said the finance ministry found there was a breach of procedure in the handling of RM600 billion of public funds during Muhyiddin’s time as premier.
He also ordered a review of the 5G mobile services contract awarded to Ericsson last year, citing concerns about cost and transparency.
Muhyiddin was prime minister from March 2020 to August 2021, and now leads the opposition. He and Anwar fought a tight election race last month that resulted in a hung parliament and set off a contest to drum up support from several coalitions to form government. Anwar eventually got the consent from the country’s monarch to form government but he needs to keep several political blocs happy ahead of a confidence vote in parliament later this month. BLOOMBERG
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