EXCLUSIVE | MACC is trying to establish if former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein played a part in bringing US$12 million cash into the country prior to the recent general election.

Sources close to the investigation said MACC questioned the former Umno leader yesterday to find out if he had set up a meeting abroad between former spy chief Hasanah Abdul Hamid and another party.

The alleged meeting, according to the sources, was held to make arrangements to bring the cash into Malaysia. 

"Hishammuddin was among several witnesses sought by MACC to facilitate investigations over a meeting between Hasanah and another party in a Middle Eastern country,” a source told Malaysiakini today.

"This was also the reason that was given by MACC to the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court when requesting to extend Hasanah's remand on Sunday,” said the high-ranking investigator who declined to be named.

Hasanah, who is the former director-general of Malaysia External Intelligence Organisation, was previously remanded by MACC for six days to assist in their probe over the alleged misappropriation of election funds.

Another source said investigators were also trying to ascertain how such a large amount of cash was brought into the country undetected.

"Investigators wanted to question Hishammuddin to establish if he had any involvement in making this arrangement," the source said.

However, both sources did not reveal the time frame when the alleged meeting took place.

According to the sources, Hishammuddin, who is a former Umno vice-president, spent two hours at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday to give his statement.

MACC investigations division director Simi Abd Ghani confirmed that they recorded his statement and said that Hishammuddin had extended his cooperation to the commission.

However, Simi declined to comment further about the case.

Last week, MACC deputy chief commissioner Azam Baki told a press conference that they seized a total of US$6.3 million cash in the course of the investigation into Hasanah and eight others, including seven former MEIO officers and a businessperson.

Azam said they were still looking for another US$5 million, and urged anyone who has information on the matter to come forward, promising that they would be given witness protection.

Sources previously told Malaysiakini that MACC was investigating if former spies had received the US$12 million, allegedly brought through the Middle East, from a foreign source.