KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has called the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)’s investigation into Bersatu and its freezing of the party’s bank accounts an effort by the government to "kill its credibility” along with that of Perikatan Nasional (PN).

In a statement tonight, the Bersatu secretary-general said that the party views the action as a "sleazy” diversionary tactic to distract the people from "the weaknesses, failures and nepotism of the government”.

He, however, stressed that the party had instructed its leaders and officials to cooperate fully with the MACC.

"Bersatu accepts the reason for the measures taken by the MACC are part of its investigation into the defamation lobbed at the party,” Hamzah said.

"Bersatu will continue to cooperate with the investigation so that the malicious slander against the party can be stopped immediately.

"However, we regret the actions of the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional government to abuse the government agency (MACC) to kill the credibility of the Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional.

"Bersatu maintains its principles of integrity and good governance. All Bersatu leaders and members are asked to be patient.

His statement came after MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed today that the anti-graft body had frozen Bersatu’s bank accounts.

He had said that several party accounts were frozen to facilitate investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

It is understood that the accounts in question were frozen as part of the MACC’s probe into alleged irregularities in the use of RM600 billion worth of public funds meant for the Covid-19 pandemic by the previous administration under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who is the Bersatu president.

On December 6, Azam announced that the anti-graft body had opened an investigation paper into the allegations.

However, several news reports also suggested that the MACC action was linked to allegations that Bersatu received donations from about 10 contractors who are said to have procured various projects when the party was in government.

It is thought the donations amounted to more than RM300 million.