Anti-graft busters closing in on Islamists-1MDB link, says report

According to Malaysiakini, the Malaysian anti-graft busters are closing in on the Islamists in the PAS, zooming their investigation on high-end cars, motorcycles, huge bungalow residences said to be the property of party members.

The Malaysian news portal says this was disclosed by sources saying this is the latest focus of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency on the leaders of the party.

The PAS is accused of taking a bribe amounting to ringgit Malaysia 90 million from the Umno prior to the general elections in Malaysia last year. Reports say the money was to buy the support from the PAS in the May 9 general elections last year.

The whistleblowing blog, Sarawak Report published a series of documents, including voice recordings which it say are evidence of the PAS accepting money from Umno.

The party of ex-PM Najib Razak, Najib himself and the PAS leaders – including President Hadi Awang – denies any wrongdoing or having paid, or received any amount from the Umno.

However, the son of former spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Nik Abduh is said to have admitted the party received funds from the Umno. Sarawak Report published a recording in which Nik Abduh is heard saying the PAS took Umno’s money.

The latter has since then denied the allegations, saying it is not him speaking in the recording. But Sarawak Report, which published the article on Feb 4, insists it has witnesses who participated in the meeting saying it was the PAS member speaking.

In the latest MACC investigation, 8 PAS members and leaders will be called soon for questioning.

The source says an ex-PAS leader is suspected of owning expensive vehicles worth RM1.5 million and a bungalow house worth RM3 million.

The MACC is looking at leaders of the Islamist party who owns cars from the following brands: BMW 525’s, Mini Cooper, Toyota Vellfire, Toyota Camry and Toyota Fortuner.

According to reports, the leaders bought these cars cash.

Another 8 leaders are suspected of misusing funds, buying Porche Cayman, Range Rover, Audi A6, Toyota Vellfire dan Toyota Altis, Volkswagen Passat, Audi Q7, Mercedes Benz, motor BMW dan others.

The son of a top leader of the PAS is also said to own a high-end, expensive motorcycle.

People commenting on social media – where such information is in circulation for days now – says the party must explain the expensive items in the possession of their leaders.

Some are saying given the extent of the long arm of the law reaching out against the PAS, ex-PM Najib may lose his chance to lead congregations in the cell if he and the PAS leaders were to be found guilty of money laundering and of corrupt practices.

The leaders even bought VIP plates for these cars, the source told Malaysiakini.

The MACC has called the ex-secretary General of the PAS Nasharudin Mat Isa and the MP for Bachok, Kelantan, Nik Abduh to explain on the RM90 million funds.