The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said in a press release that it recorded the testimony of former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob about the use of RM700 million in funds that were “spent for publicity and promotion purposes during the previous government’s administration” on Wednesday.

The Keluarga Malaysia (Family Malaysia) program, launched by Ismail Sabri in August 2021, aimed to enhance the economic well-being of families by implementing various initiatives, particularly in response to the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program received a heavy backlash from the public as the citizens criticized it for the unnecessary use of public funds. The MACC is conducting investigations into the expenditure of the preceding administration, prompted by allegations of misappropriation of public funds during the 2020 to 2022 campaign period.

As part of this investigation, MACC is engaged in investigation of former officials, including close aides of the former prime minister. In February 2023, MACC began an investigation into the assets of former finance minister, Tun Abdul Daim bin Zainuddin, inside and outside of the country. Zainuddin is facing allegations of abuse of power and money laundering under Anti-Money Laundering Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, 2001 and the MACC Act, 2009. Zainuddin has denied all the allegations and called the investigations “witch hunts.”

Zainuddin, along with his wife and two children, were requested to testify about “high-value assets” that are under their company’s name. The investigation began due to disclosure of their assets from Pandora Papers.

Ismail Sabri served as the ninth prime minister of Malaysia from 2021 to 2022. He called an early election in the country in 2022 due to his parties weakening alliance with other parties, prompted by mounting criticism against the government, particularly regarding questions surrounding its legitimacy.