Businessman Ishak Ismail has denied making a RM100 million offer to Foreign Minister Anifah Aman back in 2008 for the latter to leave BN and help Anwar Ibrahim form a new federal government.

In a statement circulated late yesterday, the former KFC deputy executive chairperson said that he “categorically denies” making such an offer and in fact claimed that he was approached by an “intermediary” of Anifah few months ago in order to persuade Anwar, the PKR de facto leader, to withdraw the defamation suit against Anifah.

“When I responded that I was not in contact with Anwar and could not do so, the intermediary indicated to me that my name would be dragged into proceedings,” he said.

Anifah ( right ) had testified in court during the trial last week that the RM100 million offered by Anwar’s camp was made through Ishak.

Ishak had confirmed to  Malaysiakini  about the authenticity of the statement issued.

 

"I therefore call on Anifah to apologise unreservedly for his slanderous remarks," he said.

 

Ishak noted that since Anifah testified in court, he was protected by privilege and hence challenged the Kimanis MP to repeat the claims outside court.

 

"(He should) repeat them outside so that I can bring proceedings against him for defamation," Ishak said.

 

Last week, during the trial of Anwar's defamation suit against Anifah, another BN MP claimed that the offers from Anwar's camp for MPs to jump ship were "relentless".

 

Anwar had in 2008 promised to form a new government in September, but it was a plan that never saw the light of day.