The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed there is so far no trace of RM90 million entering the official accounts of PAS from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
MACC Commissioner Datuk Seri Shukri Abdull said investigations since the beginning of the month have found no evidence of a transaction that could be attributed to the allegation.
“The MACC has so far found no record of RM90 million from 1MDB entering into PAS’ account,” he said in a press conference after witnessing the taking of oath and signing of the Anti-Corruption Pledge by 24 members of the Terengganu state assembly yesterday.
He, however, declined to answer a question on how many more witnesses would be called and whether the MACC was ready to wrap up the case.
Prior to this, the MACC had called up Bachok MP Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz former PAS deputy president Datuk Nasharudin Mat Isa to provide their statements over the allegations.
Former Bersih chairman S Ambiga and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) vice-president Datuk Husam Musa have also assisted with investigations.
Meanwhile, PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said he hoped all parties would accept MACC’s statement over the matter as investigations were carried out in a transparent and professional manner.
“PAS also calls for the allegations to be stopped immediately and PAS reserves the right to take legal action against any parties that continue to hurl accusations against PAS,” he said in a media statement last night.
In Aug 2016, the Sarawak Report published an article alleging that PAS received RM90mil in bribes from Umno, in an attempt by then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to court PAS ahead of GE14.
However, the report did not mention if the alleged deposits were made to the PAS official account or to specific leaders.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang sued Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle Brown in for libel in Aug 2017, and she filed a counterclaim in Oct 2017.
However, he later opted for an out-of-court settlement, citing one reason as being the increasing cost of legal fees.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the MACC may not have the full information on 1MDB-linked funds allegedly deposited into PAS bank accounts, when asked to comment on the anti-graft body’s statement that it had found no evidence so far that RM90 million was transferred into the party’s accounts.
“They may not have gotten the full information. (To get that), it will take time,” he said.
“Until now, there are many monetary thefts by Datuk Seri Najib (Razak) which the MACC does not even have time to investigate. So, this does not mean that Datuk Seri Najib did not steal, just not investigated only. Let us wait – whether there is truth or not,” he added.
The MACC chief, who made the announcement on the investigation yesterday, had said that the probe was ongoing.