THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has called up Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry secretary-general Isham Ishak for questioning to assist in an investigation into payments made to a company awarded government contract by Tourism Malaysia.

Minister Mohammadin Ketapi confirmed that Isham, who was the ministry’s secretary-general only from February, was called in for questioning yesterday and today.

He, however, refused to reveal further on the matter, saying that he has not been officially informed by MACC.

“I can’t comment anything else as this matter is under investigation,” he told reporters in Putrajaya today.

Mohammadin added that he was certain that his ministry was being investigated as MACC had called in his top official for questioning.

“I will not compromise with officials who are involved in corruption. If I come across any corrupt officials in my ministry, I will go to MACC myself,” he said.

The Malaysian Insight learnt that Isham did not clock in to work today.

Sources earlier told The Malaysian Insight that Isham was first summoned to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at around 2pm yesterday.

It was learnt that he was questioned well past midnight yesterday and had returned for further questioning today.

The MACC investigation is believed to be linked to allegations of abuse of power by the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board over a multi-million ringgit tourism contract awarded before the 14th general election (GE14).

The board had been investigated by MACC earlier this year.

The Malaysian Insight was also made to understand that the board continued to make payments to the company even though the contract awarded to the company was still under investigation. 

In January, former Tourism Malaysia chairman Siew Ka Wei was remanded for four days for questioning over the contract.

Siew was remanded with Elizabeth Ken Tze Ying, the executive of a private firm.

They were being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 that prohibits an officer of a public body or public officials from abusing their power for any gratification for themselves or for their relatives.

The investigation is over a RM99.7 million contract between Tourism Malaysia and Geeko Tech Sdn Bhd, signed on April 4, 2018 – a month before GE14.

The two-year contract was to promote Malaysia in China on social media platforms.

Another former Tourism Malaysia chairman Wee Choo Keong revealed details of the contract in his blog, two months after it was signed.

Wee, who was also the former Wangsa Maju MP, had called for an investigation into the contract which he claimed was suspicious as it was allegedly approved and signed within a day and against the government’s procurement regulations.

Isham was appointed to his present post in February to replace Rashidi Hasbullah who went on his mandatory retirement.

He was formerly the secretary-general of the International Trade and Industry Ministry. – August 7, 2019.