MACC raids PUNB, commences probe on book on Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) commenced a probe yesterday on the board of directors of Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) for alleged power abuse in the appointment of a publisher of a book on former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
Sources said the alleged abuse involved the purchase of a book entitled "Najib Razak, Di Sebalik Nama" at the end of last year.
The publisher, who is allegedly a crony of the board of directors, had supplied 20,000 copies of the book at RM400,000.
It is learnt that MACC investigators raided PUNB's office at Plaza Sentral yesterday morning where a search for documents and evidence was carried out for almost seven hours.
It was also learnt that investigators are yet to record statements from witnessess but have seized a stacks of documents related to the case.
Selangor MACC chief Datuk Alias Salim when contacted yesterday confirmed the documents were acquired from the PUNB office for investigations.
The book, written by former Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Irmohizan Ibrahim and entrepreneurs Ahmad Falahdini and Nasir Baharudin was launched by Najib on March 20 this year.
On April 20, PUNB chief executive officer Datuk Azhar Ahmad had lodged a police report for defamation after an open letter he received claimed among many that he did not assist Malay entrepeneurs and abused his position in the company.
The letter was also sent by the writer who went by the name Abu bin Seman to PUNB employees, politicians and government agencies.