CNA – Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (Bernama, pic below) has been summoned by the country’s anti-graft agency to help with an investigation.
However, Tengku Zafrul said he was unclear about the case that he will be questioned on.
“I can confirm that I have been called by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Insya Allah, I will meet them soon and give my full cooperation,” he was quoted as saying by the Star yesterday.
When asked if he was called in for the investigation of the Jana Wibawa project, he replied: “I don’t know. Let’s wait.”
According to local media, MACC chief Azam Baki said on Sunday that Tengku Zafrul will be called in “soon”.
The Jana Wibawa programme was an economic generation project during Malaysia’s COVID-19 movement control order.
It was a stimulus aid package that was meant to help Bumiputera contractors.
The Star reported earlier that the anti-graft agency is investigating allegations that the chosen contractors for the aid programme had deposited MYR300 million (USD67.69 million) into the account of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
Tengku Zafrul was the finance minister when the financial help was given out during Muhyiddin Yassin’s tenure as prime minister.
Muhyiddin is the president of Bersatu.
In a tweet on Saturday, Tengku Zafrul said that he will cooperate with MACC’s probe into the programme.
In a separate post on Facebook, the minister, who is also a supreme council member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) said: “The media asked me about Jana Wibawa.
There is nothing for me to hide and I am always ready to give an explanation if asked to do so.”
Muhyiddin, the Perikatan Nasional chairman, has already recorded his statement over the same investigation, Bernama reported.
Muhyiddin has since said that he was not a suspect in the investigations.
He was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today (FMT) that he was called in by the anti-graft agency to explain certain issues related to the Jana Wibawa project.
“I was called in specifically (to answer questions) about Jana Wibawa.
“Not (for an investigation into) MYR600 billion, MYR530 billion, MYR86 billion or MYR4.5 billion,” Muhyiddin was quoted as saying by FMT.
MACC chief Azam, however, has hit out against Muhyiddin’s remarks, cautioning those called up for questioning to refrain from commenting on the issue.
“Investigations are ongoing and it is inappropriate to draw their own conclusions, regardless if they are called in as witnesses or suspects,” Azam was quoted as saying by Bernama.
