KUALA LUMPUR: Preliminary investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) show that alleged irregularities in the management of COVID-19 funds involved allocations estimated at RM530 billion.

In a statement today, MACC said of the amount, RM92.5 billion involved government funds whereas RM437.5 billion was not from the government.

"MACC has received details from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) regarding the breakdown of economic stimulus package funds that the government spent in 2020 and 2021 related to the management of COVID-19.

"Thus the focus of MACC investigations will be on the RM92.5 billion worth of funds," it said.

MACC said the MOF is looking into the details of the breakdown and will submit a report to the commission next week.

The controversy regarding the use of emergency funds purportedly amounting to more than RM600 billion during the COVID-19 pandemic was first raised by former Melaka chief minister Adly Zahari on Nov 15.

Recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported to have said that he was leaving it to the relevant agencies to investigate the issue.

Anwar said the MOF had informed him about several breaches of procedure in the management of the COVID-19 funds.

In response, former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he did not embezzle any money and was not afraid to be investigated over the issue, which reportedly happened under his administration.

-- BERNAMA