Rule of law will prevail, says Bersatu deputy president on MACC probe

PETALING JAYA: The party has given full cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) during the course of investigations before two of its accounts were frozen, says Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

He said that MACC officers visited the party headquarters in early January, stating that they were investigating alleged misappropriation of Bersatu's funds.

"I confirm that the party's accounts were indeed frozen by the MACC.

"MACC officers visited the party's headquarters and carried out their due diligence. The freezing of accounts was done in the course of their investigations.

"The party has always given their full cooperation to MACC on this matter and I pray that the rule of law will prevail," said Ahmad Faizal.

Meanwhile, he told Malay language daily Sinar Harian that Bersatu's campaigning in upcoming state polls could be hampered by the freeze.

“If we have no money at all, it won’t be easy to hold an election campaign. It would hamper our campaign efforts,” he told Sinar Harian.

The former youth and sports minister was responding to reports that Bersatu's account was frozen by MACC more than a fortnight ago.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said on Wednesday that Bersatu is currently being investigated under the Money Laundering Act and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 but the probe is not related to Covid-19 stimulus package funds as alleged.

In January, a man with close links to Bersatu's top leadership was arrested by the MACC over graft allegations related to brokering of government projects.

It is understood that the man, a Bersatu division leader from the Federal Territories, was probed in relation to the alleged misappropriation of the RM92.5bil Covid-19 stimulus package funds under the former Perikatan Nasional government.

The Star also reported last month that the man was arrested at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya after giving his statement.

The 42-year-old is the chief executive officer of a private company which allegedly acted as a middleman for the distribution of the economic stimulus packages from 2020 to 2022.

The suspect also allegedly took bribes to connect contractors with government higher-ups.