No investigation papers yet on 101 projects, says MACC

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) says it has yet to open investigation papers on the 101 projects allegedly awarded through direct negotiation under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the agency was still analysing the projects for elements of corruption.

“Under treasury practice, there are three methods for issuing tenders for projects, one of which is through direct negotiation.

“We are now studying the list of companies which received the projects to evaluate if there were elements of corruption in the negotiations,” he said in a question-and-answer session at an anti-corruption programme in Melaka today.

On Aug 24, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz told the Dewan Rakyat that PH, during its 22-month administration, approved 101 government projects or procurements valued at RM6.61 billion through direct negotiation.

In another development, Azam said Melaka MACC received 1,196 tip-offs on corruption and abuse of power from members of the public from 2015 to August this year.

He said 427 files were opened and 119 civil servants arrested and charged in court for abusing their positions to seek gratification.