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KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened an investigation to examine documents received based on a report lodged in connection with claims that Perikatan Nasional had used gambling money to fund its 15th general election campaign (GE15).

English daily The Star quoted MACC senior director of investigation Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim as saying that a thorough investigation is being conducted.

“The investigation will cover various aspects including identifying and investigating the background of the companies mentioned in the report,” he told the news portal yesterday.

The report filed on May 30, prompted the MACC to investigate the allegations that PN received funds from gaming companies, which were allegedly used for electoral purposes.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously said that claims made that PN had used gambling money to fund its 2022 election campaign were not baseless.

He said investigations into the allegations that the coalition received funds from gaming companies were ongoing.

Anwar also said PN was welcome to take legal action over his statement but invited them to construe it in full first.

MACC had previously frozen and seized several bank accounts, including those belonging to PN’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.