MACC zooms in on ‘Datuk’ who siphoned funds from MCMC

PETALING JAYA: The anti-graft agency is focusing its probe on RM25mil embezzled from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), believed to be for 1Malaysia Negaraku projects that were never implemented.

A senior officer from the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) with a “Datuk” title is believed to be behind the misappropriation of the millions approved for the projects.

Sources familiar with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commis- sion (MACC) investigation said it involved some 10 projects, most of which the Datuk had a hand in.

It is learnt that the Datuk was instructed by a former minister to manage the revenue and payments at Finas for the projects.

The senior officer has the power to authorise offer letters to companies appointed on the instructions of the former minister.

He had also allegedly approved payments for the projects although they were not carried out.

“The minister at that time also ordered the senior officer to use the RM25mil for the projects. The MACC has gone to the companies involved to get related documents for further investigations,” the source said, adding that more than 70 others have also been identified to facilitate the probe.

Sources added that the funds were channelled based on projects implemented and not everything in one go.

“Only two or three projects were not implemented. The rest went on successfully. These were projects the MCMC wanted to implement,” sources said.

The anti-graft agency recorded statements from four individuals, including Finas director-general Datuk Fauzi Ayob and MCMC officers earlier today.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operation) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed the ongoing probe but declined to comment further.

1Malaysia Negaraku was the new symbol of unity launched by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in August last year.