KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil has welcomed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) investigation into Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's (Bersatu) source of funds by freezing its accounts.
He said the graft busters should now turn their attention to Bersatu's close ally, Pas and also look into the Islamist party's funds.
Isham, who was not surprised by the freezing of Bersatu's bank accounts, said the graft buster should also look into PAS' accounts and the party's involvement in the abuse of Covid-19 funds as part of the ongoing investigation.
"It's great...but I hope MACC will not stop with Bersatu...I wonder when will be Pas' turn," he said.
The Umno information chief said the freezing of bank accounts was not something extraordinary as even Umno had experienced it after the 14th General Election (GE14).
"If there is any reasonable suspicion that proceeds from illegal activities has entered into Bersatu's accounts, then the MACC must take the necessary action.
"I am sure that the suspicion is evidence based and valid...otherwise why would they freeze the accounts."
He said Umno too was surprised how Bersatu had spent so much money during the 15th general election (GE15), while other parties had struggled to pay for their elections campaign activities.
"At that time - just after the Covid-19 pandemic, only Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN) could afford to spend so much on their election campaigns.
"Their lavish spending in GE15 did come as a surprise but raised doubts," he said.
Isham said according to the MACC's anti money laundering law, the agency has all the right to freeze Bersatu's accounts.