Involved In The Corruption Of The Jana Wibawa Program, Former Malaysian PM Arrested By The Anti-Corruption Commission

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yasin. BETWEEN Photos/Agus Setiawan

JAKARTA - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that it has detained former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yasin in connection with the alleged corruption of the Jana Ekonomi Program for the Mastery of Bumiputera Contractors (Jana Wibawa). The detention of the 8th Malaysian PM was carried out at 13.00 local time at the MACC Putrajaya Headquarters after completing the final investigation process related to the Jana Wibawa case and related issues. In a statement from MACC as quoted from Antara, Thursday, March 10, it was stated that Muhyiddin's detention had received permission to file a lawsuit from the Attorney General's Office to charge Muhyiddin at the Kuala Lumpur Court on Friday, March 10. Muhyiddin, who is also the President of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU), will face a number of charges in accordance with Article 23 of the Law on the Anti-Corruption Commission of Malaysia (ASPRM) 2009 and Article 4(1)b of Anti-Money Laundering, Prevention of Terrorism Financing and Results from Illegal Activities (AMLATFPUAA) 2001. If found guilty, Article 24 of the ASPRM Law stipulates a prison sentence of no more than 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount or value of bribery or RM10,000 according to which is higher. Meanwhile, in part 4(1)(a) AMLAT FPUAA also stipulates a maximum fine of RM5 million and imprisonment of no more than five years or both, if found guilty. The former Malaysian PM confirmed that MACC had been summoned to testify about Jana Wibawa as a witness and not a suspect on February 18. However, a day later, MACC confirmed that Muhyiddin, who is also a member of the Pagoh Parliament, was among the suspects being investigated in connection with the case and an investigation into him is still ongoing. Jana Wibawa was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic and is a continuation of the Bumiputera Competent Construction Contractor Development Program which began in 1993. Its implementation was approved by the Cabinet on November 13, 2020 when the government was led by Muhyiddin.