Jana Wibawa probe: MACC questioning researcher over bribery claim


PUTRAJAYA: Graft investigators have summoned a researcher who claimed that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had bribed Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan with RM10mil.

It is learnt the freelance researcher, who had worked for Wan Saiful, arrived at MACC headquarters here at 3pm on Wednesday (Feb 22), accompanied by his lawyer.

Sources said the individual is currently being questioned.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the individual had been summoned.

“Yes, he is now meeting with investigators,” Azam said when contacted.

In a viral video, the individual claimed that the offer was made so that Wan Saiful could change his statement to say he had received instructions from Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to accept a bribe.

Wan Saiful is facing two charges of corruption linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.

The Jana Ekonomi Pemerkasaan Kontraktor Bumiputra Berwibawa or Economic Recovery of Authoritised Bumiputra Contractors (Jana Wibawa) was set up in November 2020 to empower bumiputra contractors struggling during the pandemic.

Under the scheme, bumiputra contractors rated three to five stars were given contracts through direct negotiation.

The contractors were to have been approved by the Finance Ministry.

The individual had since apologised, saying that he misspoke in a 44-sec TikTok video about rumours he had heard in court.

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