PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has asked the BN government to explain what has happened to the RM207 billion compensation fund from Japan to surviving victims and the descendants of over 30,000 Malayans used as forced labour for the infamous Death Railway from Siam to Burma during World War II.

NONE He claimed that the money was not transferred to the Treasury when he was finance minister in the 1990s.

“I have said that this money was not disbursed to the Treasury. This RM207 billion is something which the present BN government can’t stay silent (about)," he said today.

“(It's) like the transfer of suspected illicit funds following the report by the Global Financial Integrity group, where over RM190 billion was unaccounted for.

"So far, there has not been any comment from the prime minister or the Treasury on this issue. There is a clear neglect of the country's finances."

Anwar was asked to comment on the revelation by former Perak menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin that the Japanese government had paid compensation to the Malaysian government in the 1990s.

Nizar had said that he does not know if the money is still in the keeping of the government or if it has been disbursed to the victims.

"There were 30,000 who had survived to come back to Malaysia. They (and the descendants of those who died) have formed an association of those involved in the Siam-Burma 1942-46 railway construction," Nizar was quoted saying in a Harakahdaily report.

'Review AES'

On another matter, Anwar reiterated the need to review the Automatic Enforcement System as it is a burden to motorists.

"About 400,000 summonses have been issued and Pakatan leaders will move to have these withdrawn," he said.

The Road Transport Department has temporarily suspended prosecution of alleged offenders due to legal concerns.

The system has been in place since last September.