Azam denied Bersatu's investigation linked to Covid-19 funds
SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki has denied that the current investigation on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) was linked to Covid-19 stimulus package funds.
The English daily, The Star Online, reported Azam as saying that the party was currently being investigated under the Money Laundering Act and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
He also confirmed that Bersatu’s accounts were frozen a fortnight ago.
"Yes, I can confirm that the Bersatu account was frozen by us more than two weeks ago.
"The investigation is under the MACC Act 2009 and the Money Laundering Act," Azam said.
Earlier, Bersatu sources said that MACC had frozen party accounts that were allegedly connected to inquiries into the misappropriation of Covid-19 funding.
When asked if the investigations were linked with Covid-19 funds, Azam said briefly, "Sources said nope."
In Dec, MACC said to have received details from Finance Ministry over the economic stimulus package funds in 2020 and 2021 link to Covid-19.
The initial investigation found the amount to be estimated at RM530 billion.
Based on that amount, RM92.5 billion involved government funds while RM437.5 billion was not from the government.
The focus of the MACC probe was on RM92.5 billion in government funds.
Bersatu chief Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has so far dismissed claims that there were misappropriations of Covid-related funds.
He had said the funds under the economic stimulus packages were not in the form of projects that could be misappropriated, as most of them were direct cash transfers to the public.
Muhyiddin had further said Bersatu’s accounts were transparent and all accounts were recorded, audited.
