MACC conducted 'inquiry' at Tourism Malaysia office in Putrajaya, says source

MISC is fully committed to the highest standards of integrity and accountability throughout our businesses and operations.

PETALING JAYA: The Tourism and Culture Ministry received a visit from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) which wanted to make “some inquiries” over a promotional deal signed with a private company.

A source in MACC confirmed anti-graft officers paid a visit to the Tourism Malaysia office in Putrajaya on June 6, adding however that the visit was not a raid.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Seri Mirza Mohammad Taiyab on Wednesday also confirmed to news portal FMT that several MACC officers had gone to the ministry's headquarters in Putrajaya to “inquire” on some matters in the wake of some media reports.

On May 31, former Tourism Malaysia chairman Wee Choo Keong had raised questions over a RM99mil deal between a local company and Tourism Malaysia, which he claims was inked in just one day.

Wee, who labelled the agreement a “Speedy Gonzales contract”, alleged that the deal was made against the ministry's procurement regulations.

The contract in question was with a local company which acted as a go-between for Tourism Malaysia and a China-based firm to promote Malaysia on social media platforms.

Wee, who claims to have evidence of the deal, said he would be lodging a report with the MACC.

Tourism Malaysia has denied any allegation of impropriety in the deal, with chairman Datuk Siew Ka Wei stating that the recent allegations made by its former chairman Wee were “malicious and false”.