Govt using MACC as a political tool, says Hamzah

 

Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin says the party will continue to cooperate with MACC in its probe.

PETALING JAYA: Bersatu has accused the government of using the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as a political tool, after the anti-graft agency froze the party’s accounts.

Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin said he regretted the government’s actions and claimed it was aimed at destroying the credibility of the party and Perikatan Nasional.

“Bersatu will continue to cooperate (with MACC) in this probe so that we can put an end to this malicious allegation against Bersatu,” he said in a statement.

He was referring to MACC’s probe into the alleged misappropriation of RM92.5 billion by the Muhyiddin Yassin-led government.

“We can accept the excuse that this measure taken by MACC is part of their investigation into the allegation made against Bersatu.

“Bersatu leaders and officers who have been asked to give their statements to MACC have also been told to fully cooperate (with the anti-graft agency).”

Hamzah also claimed that the move to freeze the party’s accounts was aimed at distracting the people from the Anwar Ibrahim-led government’s “weakness, failure and practice of nepotism”.

He maintained that Bersatu always upheld the principles of integrity and good governance, and urged party leaders and members to remain calm.

Earlier, a party source told FMT that Bersatu’s accounts had been frozen by MACC under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla).

This was confirmed by MACC chief Azam Baki, who said witnesses would be summoned to facilitate ongoing investigations.

The action is understood to have been taken in connection with an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of billions of ringgit meant for Covid-19 stimulus packages.

Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president and PN chairman, previously denied claims his government had misappropriated RM92.5 billion when he was prime minister. He said he was confident that MACC would clear him of any wrongdoing.

The investigations had earlier seen MACC arrest the CEO of a private company who is alleged to have served as a middleman in the distribution of government projects. - FMT