KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) started investigating allegations that RM700 million was spent for promotion and publicity to showcase the government’s achievements during the two previous prime ministers’ administrations from 2020 to 2022.
A source said the MACC went to the Finance Ministry (MOF) and the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) today to start investigations and to gather information, as well as to gather documents related to the allegations.
It said investigations were based on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s response to a question from Batu MP P. Prabakaran, who was seeking an explanation of how much was spent by the government on promotional activities since 2020
“The MACC took a proactive decision to investigate the recent revelation that a whopping RM700 million was spent for promotional and publicity purposes.
“The expenditure included promotional and publicity initiatives carried out to promote the government’s achievements through all media platforms, including print, digital media, and television from 2020 to 2022,” said the source.
The initial investigation is to determine how the money was spent and to determine whether the proper procedures were followed.
Following Anwar’s statement, Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the public has the right to know how the RM700 million was spent.
Meanwhile, MACC’s Senior Investigations Director Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim, when contacted, confirmed news of the investigations but declined to reveal further details.
— Bernama
