NATIONAL Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique has declined to reveal information to Parliament about the grants given out by the Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) as it is being investigated

“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has started investigating the programmes and grants given by Mitra from 2019-2021 and said that any revelations may affect their investigations,” the minister told Dewan Rakyat during the winding-up debate on Supply Bill 2022 today.

However, she said she will give a briefing after the Malacca elections which takes place this Saturday.

But Halimah’s reason did not go down well with lawmakers, causing RSN Rayer (Jelutong-PH), M. Kulasegaran (Ipoh Barat-PH), Wong Kah Woh (Ipoh Timur-PH) and Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan-PH) to question her decision. 

“Why is the minister hiding behind MACC?” said Rayer. “We understand that Parliament cannot discuss cases that are on trial but there is nothing to stop us from discussing an investigation.”

Rayer added that MACC cannot stop the minister from briefing lawmakers in Parliament.

“What we want to know is if MIC leaders are involved? Is MIC president S.  Vigneswaran involved?” he continued.

But Halimah stood her ground and declined all the same.

“We (the ministry) are the ones who asked MACC to investigate the grants and programmes given by Mitra from 2019 till 2021. I’m not afraid as I know what we have done is in accordance to the law.

“So, don’t be a hero, Jelutong, and sit down. Let MACC answer all these questions as I cannot answer them while it is being investigated,” said Halimah.

In October, MACC arrested 16 company directors over alleged misappropriation of funds from Mitra. 

According to sources, the suspects – aged 24 to 68 – were detained in the Klang Valley for allegedly embezzling tens of millions of ringgit from the fund.

A source said one of the directors was believed to have applied for an allocation from an agency under the National Unity Ministry where he later shared the funds with other individuals.

The Mitra fund was created by then prime minister Najib Razak to provide socio-economic programmes for the Indian community.

However, investigations by MACC have found no programme carried out or statement of expenditure submitted by those who had received grants from it. – November 17, 2021.