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MACC raids YTL, govt office over 1BestariNet probe
MACC has launched a probe into the 1BestariNet project the Education Ministry awarded YTL Communications Sdn Bhd in 2011.
According to a source, the graftbusters raided YTL’s office and a government office, both in Kuala Lumpur, today to facilitate investigations over alleged payments for false claims.
“As a result of the search, several documents have been...
UPDATED 8.33PM | Added a response from YTL
MACC has launched a probe into the 1BestariNet project the Education Ministry awarded YTL Communications Sdn Bhd in 2011.
According to a source, the graftbusters raided YTL’s office and a government office, both in Kuala Lumpur, today to facilitate investigations over alleged payments for false claims.
“As a result of the search, several documents were confiscated, and the MACC is working on identifying witnesses to be summoned for statements and facilitate the investigation.
“The investigation is leaning towards (allegations) of submitted claims documents containing false details involving payments of about RM2.7 billion,” the source said.
Another focus of the investigation is to identify other criminal elements under the MACC Act 2009, the source added.
MACC Investigations Department senior director Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed that the case is being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act, and urged the public to give the anti-graft agency space to conduct the probe without interference.
Responding to reports about the raid, YTL Communication’s parent company - YTL Power - confirmed that the MACC had “requested information” from YTL Communications about the 1BestiNet project.
“YTL Comms is providing full cooperation to MACC on this matter and trusts that the matter will be satisfactorily resolved,” it said in a statement.
RM4.47b Najib-era project
The RM4.47 billion programme, awarded to YTL via open tender, was meant to be completed in 15 years over three phases.
Muhyiddin Yassin was the education minister at the time, while Najib Abdul Razak was the prime minister.
Its goal was to equip schools with broadband services and to create a virtual classroom environment.
However, the project was plagued with issues ranging from complaints about slow connectivity to financial discrepancies.
Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who was the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson in 2015, called the first phase of the project a “failure” citing its poor implementation.
An Auditor-General's Report in 2018 also said the programme fell short of its key performance indices, and the Education Ministry had failed to consider the Value Management Laboratory’s suggestions.
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