“Claims that this is an act of political persecution are baseless. MACC carries out its investigations fairly and follows the evidence,” the source told FMT.
Meanwhile, a Bersatu source said Salleh’s arrest involved investigations into the Jana Wibawa programme and Akar Umbi Pemacu Negara (AkuPN) online application.
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the Bersatu leader’s arrest when contacted.
Jana Wibawa was a Covid-19 stimulus initiative to help Bumiputera contractors, while AkuPN was an initiative launched by Perikatan Nasional in 2021 to help youths get jobs, go for upskilling programmes, or start their own businesses.
The Muhyiddin Yassin-led party’s accounts had been frozen by the MACC a month ago under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (Amla).
It was understood to be in connection with an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of billions of ringgit meant for Covid-19 stimulus packages.
Last week, Bersatu’s Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan was charged with accepting a RM6.9 million bribe and soliciting an unspecified amount over a RM232 million road project linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.
Deputy Segambut Bersatu chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad has also been slapped with five charges of soliciting and accepting bribes over projects involving Jana Wibawa.
Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin had accused Putrajaya of using the MACC as a political tool against the party.