Zahid and Hisham to be quizzed after Raya

Two former defence ministers are expected to be called in by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after Hari Raya for questioning over the land swap deals involving the Defence Ministry (Mindef).

(The Star) – They are Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

It is learnt that investigators, who received the remainder of the 16 reports about two weeks ago, wanted some time to study the cases.

Sources at the MACC said that investigation would commence after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities and that a list of individuals, including Ahmad Zahid and Hishammuddin, would be called in for questioning.

“Let’s wait after that before we begin investigations,” a source told The Star.

Asked if the former prime minister would also be investigated over the scandal, the source said that had yet to be decided.

“Anyone who can help us in the probe can and will be called,” added the source.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who had also served as defence minister, as well as Ahmad Zahid and Hishammuddin, had earlier said that they were ready to be investigated and had nothing to fear.

On May 17, Mindef handed over 14 reports pertaining to the alleged dubious land swap, after surrendering two reports earlier.

The reports were findings of the Governance, Procurement and Finance Investigating Committee that investigated 16 deals involving 1,183ha of land belonging to the ministry.

Besides the land value, the cost of the projects was estimated at RM4.88bil.

Findings on one of the audit reports stated that a former prime minister and former defence ministers were found to be

clearly involved in the land swap deal for the development of the Muara Tuang and Penrissen camps in Sarawak.

Najib was prime minister while Ahmad Zahid was defence minister then.