PUTRAJAYA, Jan 3 — The Communications Ministry is ready to assist the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in investigating the RM700 million expenditure on promotions and publicity by the previous two administrations, said its minister Fahmi Fadzil.
“For investigative bodies, if the need arises, it is their right to conduct investigations, including in this ministry,” he said during a press conference today.
However, so far there has been no notification from the MACC requesting the ministry to assist in the investigation.
MACC Senior Director of Investigations Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim was quoted as saying today that it is currently investigating the government’s expenditure processes and procedures between 2020 and 2022, involving RM700 million allocated for promotional and publicity purposes.
The investigation was initiated based on preliminary information disclosed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in response to a question from Batu MP P. Prabakaran during the Dewan Rakyat session in November last year.
Prabakaran had requested the Prime Minister disclose the total amount spent by the government on promotional and publicity work in showcasing the government’s achievements through all media platforms, including print, digital, and television, from 2020 until now.
Following that, Fahmi said on social media site X (formerly known as Twitter) the public has the right to know how the RM700 million for advertisements and publicity was spent by the two previous administrations.
— Bernama
