I have told MACC everything I know — Annuar Musa
PUTRAJAYA: Tan Sri Annuar Musa said he had provided all information within his knowledge during the four hours he was questioned over allegations of embezzlement and abuse of power in Majlis Amanah Rakyat ( Mara) at the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC) office here yesterday.
Annuar, who is currently suspended from his posts as chairman of Mara and Pelaburan Mara Bhd ( PMB), said his presence at the MACC office was to fulfil his obligation and give his cooperation after it is understood that the agency had started an investigation against him.
“I answered whatever I knew according to the questions raised. Other than that, I leave it to MACC and their investigation team,” he told reporters before leaving the MACC office compound.
Annuar, who returned from New Zealand Thursday night, arrived at the MACC headquarters at 8.55am – looking calm as he smiled and thanked media representatives who had waited for him as early as 7am.
He was suspended from his posts following a Mara council meeting last Tuesday, to enable Mara’s internal audit team to investigate several matters including the sponsorship of the Kelantan football team, the Red Warriors by PMB and Mara-owned UniKL.
Subsequently, MACC on the same day confirmed opening an investigation paper to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of power against Annuar.
When asked what was the main line of questioning by the commission, Annuar said he answered several questions among them on his involvement in Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and the company managing sponsorship for the Kelantan Football Association (FA).
He also described the allegations and investigations against him as part of the challenges faced in serving the people.
“I manage Kelantan football because it is of public interest, so we do what is best but when allegations of misuse of Mara scholarship funds and coercion into giving sponsorship and others are raised, this is quite serious.
“If it truly happened, then it is bad for a public servant, an MP and a politician who has reached 60 years in age, so must be investigated because to me, this is a grave offence,” he said.
He said he was ready to be called back by the MACC, if necessary.
Asked when he would be meeting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the matter, Annuar said a date had not been fixed yet.
“I am the person who has been accused and the MACC is an independent body. Even though I have been urged to meet the prime minister, I have refused as I do not want people to make wild accusations. I will bear full responsibility,” he said.
On his intention to run for the Football Association Malaysia ( FAM) presidency, he said the MACC investigation would not affect his eligibility to contest.
“You will only be disqualified (from contesting) if you have been convicted of an offence or adjudged a bankrupt.
“Being investigated by MACC does not count, so I am still eligible.
“But that doesn’t mean that I am contesting. I am just a small fry, why bother. My concern is that nobody will want to contest and the post will be left vacant,” he said. — Bernama