PKR today demanded Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to come clean on reports that he had written to the US authorities to secure the release of a gambling kingpin.

 

This comes after South China Morning Post published a letter signed by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in which he claimed alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua was helping Malaysia on a "national security" matter.

 

"Is the letter published by South China Morning Post ( SCMP ) authentic and true?" asked PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil ( right ).

 

Phua is presently facing charges in the US for information on wagers and operating an illegal gambling business.

 

Phua, who is under house arrest in Las Vegas where the trial is ongoing, is also accused of being a member of the 14k Triad, a transnational Chinese organised crime entity.

 

However, in a letter to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) signed by Ahmad Zahid, it said Phua was not a member, nor associated the 14k Triad.

'Helped gov't in national security'

 

"Moreover, according to our records, Mr Phua has, on numerous occations, assisted the Government of Malaysia on projects affecting our national security and accordingly, we continue to call upon him to assist us from time to time and as such, we are eager for him to return to Malaysia," it read.

 

Fahmi said it was shocking that the Home Ministry would admit that Phua, who was previously arrested in Macau and expelled for gambling activities, had been assisting Malaysia on “projects” concerning national security. 

 

"What did Zahid ( left ) mean by 'projects affecting national security'? Why was he (Phua) involved in them?" he said.

 

Fahmi, who is PKR Youth vice-chief, said the minister must also explain the government's eagerness to help Phua.

 

"I hope Zahid can answer these questions to clear the rakyat's concern about this issue," he said.

Triad info came from PDRM

The SCMP report on Tuesday described 50-year-old Phua as a Malaysian "with roots in Sarawak" who was granted a diplomatic passport by San Marino as its ambassador to Montenegro.

He and his son are standing trial for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation from the Caesar’s Palace Hotel in Las Vegas during the Brazil World Cup earlier last year.

According to SCMP , documents produced in court during the trial purportedly show that it was the Malaysian police that gave information about Phua's triad connections to the FBI.

The article reports the internal FBI document dated July 17, 2008 saying, “The RMP (Royal Malaysian Police) has identified the 14K Triads as a local organised crime syndicate involved in illegal drugs, illegal gambling and money laundering activities in Malaysia.

“The RMP has also identified Malaysian Phua Wei Seng as a 14K Triad member.”

Zahid's letter to the FBI