KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened an investigation into a “senior aide” – who has a “Datuk” title – of a former prime minister.
This is related to the alleged Keluarga Malaysia promotion scandal.
A source told Scoop that the aide had been called up to give a statement to the anti-graft agency at its Putrajaya headquarters on January 10.
“The aide gave a statement on the same day the former prime minister gave his. This is part of the MACC’s investigation into the use of RM700 million for publicity and promotion purposes during the previous administrations.
“This relates to absurd spending for the Keluarga Malaysia media programmes. The investigation against both of them is ongoing.”
The source added that other individuals would be called up to aid in the investigation.
Meanwhile, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed to Scoop that the Keluarga Malaysia probe was ongoing and that other people would be called up.
On January 10, the MACC confirmed that it had recorded a statement from former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to assist in a probe into RM700 million spent during the previous administrations.
It was previously reported that the MACC would call up a former prime minister and officials in his office who were involved in the expenditure of funds.
According to Azam, this is to find out how the money was spent for promotion and publicity purposes to promote the government’s achievements in the period from 2020 to 2022.
Late December, a police report was lodged to demand an explanation and investigation on the RM700 million spent by the two previous administrations for publicity purposes.
The complainant lodged the report at the Setapak police station, after reading a news article by Utusan Malaysia dated November 11 stating that the amount spent was to publicise the agenda of former governments from 2020 to 2022.
When contacted, Wangsa Maju police chief Ashari Abu Samah said the case had been referred to the Finance Ministry.
In November, the ministry revealed that the federal government spent nearly RM700 million on advertising, promotion and publicity work from 2020 to 2022 to disseminate its agenda.
The previous two administrations incurred the expenses to promote their achievements and efforts through all media platforms – including social and print media, billboards, as well as television and radio.
Recently, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the people had the right to know about the “significant” expenditure, and whether it was recorded properly.
In February 2020, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed prime minister following the Sheraton Move and collapse of the Pakatan Harapan-led government.
His tenure continued until August 16, 2021, before he stepped down after losing support in the Dewan Rakyat.
On August 21 of the same year, he was succeeded by Umno’s Ismail Sabri, who led the country until October 10, 2022 – when he announced the dissolution of Parliament, paving the way for a general election.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was then chosen to lead the unity government and was sworn in as prime minister on November 24, 2022. – February 5, 2024