PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said there was a "serious breach of procedure" in government spending during the administration of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said this included excessive procurements, high markups as well as the money going to certain parties.
Commenting on the alleged misappropriation of RM600 billion in government funds during Muhyiddin's administration, the prime minister said the cabinet did not discuss the issue.
Speaking at a press conference today, he said there was no discussion over the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to probe the issue and that he would leave it to the cabinet to decide.
"However, I was informed by several officers that there was a serious violation (of procedure).
"There were excessive procurements and when they was approved, the markup was too high. This went to certain parties, seeing that they had so much money to spend (during the 15th General Election)," he said.
Anwar said he nevertheless is not keen on embarking on a witch hunt.
"I only wish to focus on good governance and economic recovery, which has seen improvement in the past few days."
Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) election machinery chief, Sany Hamzan had previously pushed for an RCI to be established investigate the alleged spending of RM600 billion in emergency funds during Muhyiddin's administration.
Sany, who is also Hulu Langat member of parliament, had lodged a police report regarding the matter on Nov 30.
The controversy regarding the RM600 billion spent during the Covid-19 pandemic was initially raised by former Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari on Nov 15.
Adly had said that Pakatan Harapan (PH) would investigate Muhyiddin if the party's coalition succeeds in forming a government after GE15.
Muhyiddin, however, insisted that all the money was spent to help the people during the pandemic and that all expenses were undertaken in accordance to the set procurement policy.