Hisham need not be quizzed again, says source

PUTR AJAYA: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein is unlikely to be questioned again by anti-graft investigators over the alleged misappropriation of funds by intelligence officers. The interview the former defence minister held with MACC officers on Monday will do for now.

Investigators are said to be satisfied with Hishammuddin’s statement and have no reason to call him up again.

“He was cooperative and the investigation officers were satistied with his response so far,” said a MACC source.

“They don’t have any plans to recall the former minister but should the need arise, they will and we are confident that Hishammuddin will give his fullest cooperation,”

Hishammuddin had come forward to give his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission after his name cropped up during the remand hearing of former Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation chief Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid on Sunday.

He arrived at the MACC headquarters at around 10am and left three hours later.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed that his officers had recorded a statement from Hishammuddin.

Hasanah’s lawyer Datuk Shahrudin Ali was quoted as saying that the MACC should make it clear as to who it wanted to interview over its investigation.

He said that the deputy public prosecutor mentioned “Hishammuddin” at the magistrate’s court and although Hasanah immediately told the court that the Sembrong MP was not the one, the DPP did not reply.

Hasanah was among nine people detained over the misappropriation of government funds for the 14th General Election.

Others held were a deputy director general of the Intelligence Division, six diplomatic and administrative officers and a businessman with a permanent resident status in Britain. All have since been released.

Azam had reportedly said US$12mil (RM49mil) of government funds were allegedly misappropriated.