The Ministry of Communications is prepared to aid the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) with their investigation into the RM700 million spent on promotions and publicity by the previous two administrations, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil (pic).
During a press conference on Wednesday (Jan 3), Fahmi, who also serves as the spokesman for the Unity Government, stated, “It is the right of investigative bodies, if the need arises, to conduct investigations, including into this ministry.”
However, Fahmi mentioned that there has been no request from the MACC thus far asking his ministry to assist in the investigation.
MACC Senior Director of Investigations Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim was quoted on Wednesday as indicating that the commission is presently looking into the government’s spending procedures and processes between 2020 and 2022, involving RM700 million earmarked for promotional and publicity purposes.
The investigation was prompted by preliminary information revealed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in response to a question from Member of Parliament for Batu P, Prabakaran last November in the Dewan Rakyat.
Prabakaran had requested the Prime Minister to divulge the total amount expended by the government on promotional and publicity work in showcasing the government’s accomplishments across all media platforms, including print, digital, and television, from 2020 until present.
Following that, in a statement on X, Fahmi mentioned that the public has the right to learn how the RM700 million for advertisements and publicity was utilized by the two previous administrations. –Bernama
