PETALING JAYA: Bersatu’s accounts have been frozen by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, a party source has confirmed.
The source, who declined to be named, said the accounts were frozen under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla).
It is understood that the freezing of the accounts is in connection with an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of billions of ringgit meant for Covid-19 stimulus packages.
FMT is attempting to reach MACC for comment.
Previously, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin had denied claims his government had misappropriated RM92.5 billion when he was the prime minister. He said he was confident MACC would clear him of any wrongdoing.
The same investigations had earlier seen the MACC arrest the CEO of a private company who was said to have served as a middleman in the distribution of government projects.
A source close to the matter had said several contractors who were questioned had allegedly admitted to agreeing to pay a commission of between 3% and 5%, which was to be deposited into the account of a political party purportedly as political funding.
Muhyiddin dismissed claims he had instructed anyone to collect the commission.
He also said the fiscal spending under the economic stimulus packages was not in a form capable of being misappropriated as most of it took the form of direct cash transfers to the public.
He stressed that Bersatu’s accounts were transparent and that all expenditure had been recorded, audited and presented in its annual general meeting in accordance with the requirement of the party’s constitution and the Societies Act 1966.
We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.