[EXCLUSIVE] MP ‘Took Cuts From Govt Projects’

The investigators are looking at more than RM3 billion worth of projects, which they believe involved elements of corruption

(NST) – Graft-busters are in the last stages of connecting the dots in their extensive probe into alleged underhanded deals in several projects carried out by the previous government.

In this cluster of probes involving projects valued at more than RM3 billion, they had zoomed in on a high-profile member of parliament, who allegedly played the role of a middleman.

Sources said investigators were looking at 10 projects of the Finance Ministry.

The MP, with a “Datuk Seri” title, had enjoyed between eight and 10 per cent commission on the value of each project dished out, they said.

Those with knowledge of the investigations into “corrupt elements surrounding these projects”, some of which were believed to be listed in the infamous “MoF Red Files”, said the MP, who did not hold any formal position in the previous administration, was believed to have made millions in commissions.

Sources said investigators had and are looking into companies and those who had participated in acts of corruption in the projects.

It is understood that the projects were carried out between 2015 and just before Barisan Nasional lost its six-decade hold on federal power to Pakatan Harapan in May.

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was at the time finance minister. It is understood that it was for these cases he was called in by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to its headquarters for four hours in Putrajaya yesterday to answer some hard questions.

“The investigators are looking at more than RM3 billion worth of projects, which they believe involved elements of corruption,” one of the sources said.

The New Staits Times has learnt that among the projects that have come under MACC’s microscope is one involving stretches of the 316km West Coast Expressway, which is being built on the build-operate-transfer concept with a concession period of 60 years.

Another involved the procurement of ambulances last year, which were later supplied to the Health Ministry.

It is understood that investigators are focusing on the more than RM100 million used to buy the vehicles.

It is also understood that investigators are looking at corruption allegedly involving several road construction and upgrading projects, including in Port Klang, Sik in Kedah and several in the west coast region of the peninsula.

It is learnt that several projects that had come under MACC’s scrutiny in this probe were carried out by contractors appointed by the then Rural and Regional Development Ministry. They mostly involved rural development projects that were carried out in the east coast states.