KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya MP Datuk Radzi Jidin might be summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to aid its probe into the RM80-million J-Qaf book printing project during his tenure as senior minister for education.
According to media reports, MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the anti-graft body’s investigation is likely to see statements being taken from Radzi, who is also Bersatu vice-president.
“There is a high chance (that Radzi will be called up), but it will not be soon,” Azam was quoted as saying.
Yesterday, the MACC arrested two individuals, including a former political secretary to a former minister, on allegations of soliciting and receiving bribes for an RM80-million direct negotiation project involving a ministry.
The other suspect arrested is a company owner in his late 50s.
An MACC source was quoted as saying that the duo are believed to have conspired with the former senior minister to request and receive bribes through the second suspect’s company from the contractor in exchange for approving the book printing project via direct negotiations.
The registrar of the Putrajaya magistrates’ court granted the MACC’s request yesterday morning to detain the two suspects for four days, from yesterday until September 26.
Addressing the arrests, Radzi confirmed that the commission had detained his former political secretary, claiming that the action was orchestrated by “higher-ups” in response to his statement in Parliament on Tuesday when he took offence to assertions by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Radzi also refuted any connection between himself, his wife, and the project – adding that his wife is not of royal lineage and has no ties to ATR One & Only Enterprise, the company mentioned in a viral message on the matter.
Previously, a party’s information chief had urged the MACC to investigate a controversy involving a senior minister from the previous government.
The controversy is said to revolve around the awarding of school maintenance contracts as well as the printing of J-Qaf books, with allegations that the minister had obtained funds from individuals holding the “Datuk” title who secured all school maintenance projects. – September 24, 2023