KLANG: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) needs time to investigate claims that PAS leaders received RM90 million from UMNO, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
The prime minister said MACC's statement confirming there was so far no trace of RM90 million entering the official accounts of PAS from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), was probably made because it did not have the full information yet.
"That's what they (MACC) said. They may not have the full information yet. It takes time.
"There's a lot more money stolen by Datuk Seri Najib which the MACC have not had time to investigate. This does not mean Datuk Seri Najib did not steal.
"It's just not being investigated yet. Let's wait if it's true or not, "he told a press conference after officiating Metrod Holdings Berhad's copper rod manufacturing plant here today.
Also present were Metrod Holding's founder Apurv Bagri; chairman Datuk Abu Hassan Kendut, and president and chief executive officer Rajan Mittal.
Dr Mahathir was commenting on whether the statement by MACC chief commissioner Mohd Shukri Abdull that the commission had so far not detected any RM90 million fund transaction from 1MDB channeled to PAS's official bank accounts, would have an impact on Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (BERSATU) campaign in the Semenyih by-election.
Asked on his statement yesterday that he was confused with PAS leaders' support for him, the BERSATU chairman said he did not need the support of PAS member of parliaments (MPs), as he has already had support of Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs.
"I need just over 50 per cent support of the MPs. I do not need PAS support because PH itself has more than half the seats in the Dewan Rakyat.
“If PAS want to support, then they should do so. They should not talk about signing letters to support me. They did not even say they want to support PH, just me.
“But I am not the government. PH is,” he added.