MACC probing claims of misuse of RM700mil for promotions, publicity

PUTRAJAYA: Graft investigators have initiated an initial probe into claims of alleged misuse of RM700mil that was spent for promotions and publicity by the two previous Federal governments between 2020 and 2022.

Sources said that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers had gone to the Finance Ministry as well as the Prime Minister’s Department to seek information and to obtain documents in relation to the case.

"The probe has started and the visit to the ministry and JPM is part of the investigation process," said a source.

The same source said that investigation was carried out based on initial information as stated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament.

In November, Anwar had revealed in Parliament that RM700mil had been spent since 2020 to promote the government.

The bulk of the spending was handled by the Prime Minister’s Office for advertisements and media buys to promote government initiatives.

The Prime Minister had also said that close to RM500mil was spent by the eighth prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the balance was spent by his successor Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob.

Anwar, however, had pointed out that Ismail Sabri did not spend that much and there was balance in the funds, which his administration had used.

MACC senior director of investigation Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed that the investigation was ongoing.