The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has begun an investigation into a loan of 300 million ringgit from Sabah Development Bank Bhd (SDB) to budget airline AirAsia Group Bhd.
MACC director for the state of Sabah S. Karunanithy confirmed that the agency was investigating a loan approved by a Sabah state-owned bank but declined to comment further.
According to a report, Chief Minister Hajiji Noor recently ordered a forensic investigation by an independent audit firm on the bank's decision, and called on the MACC.
Meanwhile, the investigation will examine how the fund was disbursed quickly within a few days after the formation of the new state government while revealing that the loan was approved on July 2.
However, AirAsia does not want to submit any response on the issue.
In addition, former Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal said that he welcomed the investigation and stated that there was nothing hidden behind the loan. He added that the application was not made in a short period but instead SDB did its best research and consideration carefully before consent is given.
In addition, AirAsia last Friday said that the loan had been agreed and disbursed from the bank to its group of companies as part of the fundraising efforts undertaken by the airline, but did not specify the time.
More than half of the loan amount is to create and operate food supply facilities and cold chains in Sabah.
For everyone's knowledge, the airline is facing the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic and is trying to raise around 2.5 billion ringgit by the end of the year.
