Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar has advised alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua to focus on his case in the United States.

He however declined to comment further when asked about the allegation that the police made a mistake with regard to its report on the Malaysian citizen, who has been accused of being part of an international triad.

"Since the matter is being heard in the US courts, I do not wish to comment," he told Malaysiakini .

Khalid also disclosed that the Malaysian police have been in communication with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding this case.

"I can confirm that we are in communication. My advise to Phua is to focus on the charges (against him)," he said.

Phua's case hit the spotlight after it was revealed that Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had written to the US in defence of Phua, stating that the latter had assisted the Malaysian government in national security matters.

Yesterday, prominent Umno lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah ( above ) claimed that Zahid had penned the letter purportedly in order to correct a “ mistake ” in the report by the Malaysian police to the FBI.

The lawyer, who held a press conference on behalf of Phua's legal team, also insisted that the 14K triad, which the kingpin is alleged to be a member of, has no operations in Malaysia.

'No 14K in M'sia'

Quizzed on this, Khalid said while Malaysians abroad are known to be members of that triad, the transnational crime organisation does not have roots here.

News of Zahid’s controversial letter to the FBI broke when South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported the Dec 18 communique where the minister pleaded to the US government on behalf of Phua denying the latter is a member of the said triad, “based to our information”.

The Hong Kong daily also published the original letter in toto.

Zahid claimed Phua had helped the Malaysian government on “projects affecting our national security” without elaborating.

“…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," read the minister’s letter.

Zahid said in light of his clarification, “we look towards the good international relations between our two countries especially in the exchange of information,” he said, adding he looks forward to the FBI’s reply.

Phua is presently under house arrest in Las Vegas where he and his son are standing trial for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation from the Caesar’s Palace Hotel during the Brazil World Cup last year.

Zahid's letter to the FBI

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