Crime & Courts

MACC to investigate 1BestariNet governance before questioning Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will look into several matters, including the governance aspects of 1BestariNet, before questioning former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in its investigation into the case.

Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said that while questioning Muhyiddin was on their list of things to do, now was not the time.

"For now, the time has not come for Muhyiddin or any other parties to be called in for questioning.

"Based on the lead investigator, there were many other matters that needed to be investigated and compiled first," he told reporters after attending the signing ceremony between MACC and Perkeso on its governance enhancement report here today.

"Our officers have started conducting random checks on the supply of data that was given by the company to the schools involved.

"They will need to study this thoroughly.

"We are not only looking at issues related to crime but alsonissues concerning governance in the tender granted to the company in question," he added.

It was reported that a former education minister was among those expected to be called by the MACC in its investigations into the RM4 billion 1BestariNet service tender awarded to YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YTL) in 2011.

It is understood that he will be summoned as the minister who approved the project involving 8,000 schools.

Sources said the MACC is continuing its investigation into the matter, and several other individuals linked to the case are also expected to be called to provide their statements.

It is understood that the MACC is in the process of identifying witnesses to assist in the investigation, which is focused on payment claims involving alleged false details amounting to some RM2.7 billion.

In 2011, the government launched the 1BestariNet project with the aim of providing high-speed internet access to 10,000 schools nationwide.

The Education Ministry, at the time, awarded the 15-year contract, worth RM4.1 billion, to YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (Yes 4G) for the implementation of the project.

On Sept 4, the graft busters launched an investigation into a payment claim related to the Education Ministry's 1BestariNet service tender.

Sources disclosed that MACC conducted raids at a government office and the YTL Communications Sdn Bhd office in Kuala Lumpur.

Several documents were seized, and the commission is in the process of identifying witnesses to assist in the investigation.

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