Former education minister Mahdzir Khalid is assisting the MACC in an investigation into the award of the contract for a solar hybrid power project for remote schools in Sarawak.

Mahdzir gave his statement to the commission from 10am to 3pm yesterday at the MACC headquarters here.

MACC investigations director Simi Abdul Ghani, when contacted by Bernama today, said a former cabinet minister, senior party leader and current MP had assisted the MACC probe.

Bernama learned that it was Mahdzir, an Umno vice-president and Padang Terap MP.

It was reported in early June of possible irregularities in the award of a contract for the RM2.5 billion solar hybrid power project in Sarawak directly on the orders of a former senior leader of the country.

On June 11, Education Minister Maszlee Malik said the ministry has begun an internal investigation into the award of the contract to supply solar energy and diesel to 369 schools in Sarawak.

- Bernama