KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 — The decision by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to suspend bank accounts belonging to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) does not affect PAS as its Perikatan Nasional coalition partner, the Islamist party’s vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah told Sinar Harian.
Mohd Amar also spoke up for Bersatu, saying it was only being investigated for allegations that it had misused public funds when it was in government at the moment, and that it had not been proven guilty yet.
“The matter is under investigation, so there is a reason for MACC to freeze the account.
“This is normal for any individual or organisation which is investigated in relation to financial issues to have their account frozen. The account will be eventually released if nothing found in the investigation,” he was quoted as saying.
Mohd Amar added that PAS has fully handed over to MACC to carry out its duties and will wait for its decision before making a conclusion.
“If you look at PAS’ account, how much money is there, only a lot of deficit,” he told the Malay daily.
MACC confirmed the suspension of Bersatu’s bank accounts last Wednesday to facilitate investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 that began last December.
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 when Muhyiddin was prime minister.
Several news reports also suggested that the MACC action was linked to allegations that Bersatu received donations from about 10 contractors who were said to have procured various public projects when the party was in government.
It is thought the donations amounted to more than RM300 million.
