Confirming the matter to FMT, Azam said MACC’s probe in the matter is ongoing and that witnesses will be summoned to facilitate investigations.

“I can’t comment further, please be patient,” he said.

A party source had earlier confirmed that Bersatu’s accounts had been frozen under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla).

The action is understood to have been taken in connection with an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of billions of ringgit meant for Covid-19 stimulus packages.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin had previously 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 is alleged to have served as a middleman in the distribution of government projects.

A source close to the matter had said that 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 at its annual general meeting in accordance with the requirement of the party’s constitution and the Societies Act 1966.