MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the probe and said that the anti-graft agency will call several persons of interest to facilitate investigations.

He, however, did not name the former minister involved.

A source from the MACC said that the probe focused on project approvals in a federal territory involving millions of ringgit.

The source also said the investigations cover the construction of advertising billboards and the transfer of a parcel of government-owned land to a prominent property developer.

However, the anti-graft agency is still probing links between the former minister and the firms involved and is obtaining relevant documents, the source said.

Berita Harian reported that the ex-minister involved served in the Cabinet before the Covid-19 pandemic and faced court charges for several corruption cases a few years ago.