PETALING JAYA: Investigations carried out against several individuals over the Jana Wibawa programme are free from interference, says the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
In a statement on Friday (March 10), the MACC said the investigations carried out against several individuals were based on information and evidence obtained by the commission itself.
"The investigation papers that have been completed were then referred to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) for proper study and consideration.
"The investigation process is free from interference of any party," it said.
It added that accusations that the MACC’s investigations were instructed by certain parties and politically motivated were not true at all and had tarnished its reputation.
The Jana Wibawa programme was approved for implementation by the Cabinet in November 2020, and it is aimed at assisting bumiputra contractors to weather the economic hardship during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was reported that the MACC investigations centred on RM92.bil from the RM600bil government economic aid package of which Jana Wibawa was part of.
Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported to have said that the implementation of the Jana Wibawa project has been suspended to re-examine whether the procurement procedure is conducted according to the rules set by the Treasury.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the postponement of the project involving a value of RM5.7bil was made because there was an element of the procurement made through selected tenders or direct negotiations.
