MUHYIDDIN Yassin has confirmed that he was called in by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for his statement on the Jana Wibawa programme.

The former prime minister said he is not a suspect in the probe.

The Pagoh MP said he explained to investigators how the project contracts were awarded.

“It has nothing to do with the claims of the current prime minister (that billions of ringgit were embezzled),” he told reporters after attending a blood donation drive in Kuala Lumpur

Muhyiddin said he told MACC officers that it was his job as the prime minister to recommend the contractors for approval by the Finance Ministry (MOF).

“Jana Wibawa was a scheme proposed by then finance minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz to help Bumiputera contractors during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of them had to close down.

“Only the MOF had the power to approve and select the companies while the Prime Minister’s Office’s (PMO) role was to suggest the names of the companies. But the power of approval did not lie with the PMO,” he said.

Last Wednesday Putrajaya announced it had postponed RM5.7 billion worth of rural development projects under the Jana Wibawa scheme pending a review to find out whether the contracts were awarded in accordance with procurement rules.

“The MOF has instructed me to postpone the implementation of these projects. The procurement was carried out via selective tenders or direct negotiation,” Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was quoted as saying in reports.

“It is the prime minister’s policy as finance minister to see whether the procurement procedure and expenditure governance are in accordance with the rules and regulations,” he said, referring to Anwar Ibrahim.

Yesterday Muhyiddin was questioned by the MACC over allegations that his party Bersatu received RM300 million of economic stimulus package funds.

Sources said Muhyiddin recorded his statement yesterday at the anti-graft commission’s office in Putrajaya.

It is learnt that MACC had also questioned other top party leaders.

“The investigation papers have already been completed and the Attorney-General’s Chambers will decide whether to bring charges against some individuals,” a source said.

The party’s bank accounts remain frozen, the source added. – February 18, 2023.