Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein has refused to be drawn into the controversial issue of a letter penned by his cabinet colleague in defence of alleged Malaysian gambling kingpin Paul Phua.

"I think you should ask (Home Minister Ahmad) Zahid (Hamidi) ( right ) about this," he said.

He was quizzed on PKR's criticism that Zahid had breached diplomatic convention when he bypassed the Foreign Ministry in issuing the letter.

"I don't think this is such a major thing, it is PKR's job to criticise, they are the opposition.

"This (issue) is not under my responsibility," he told a press conference.

He said they will get down to the truth of this issue, but did not elaborate.

 

Phua came into the spotlight after a letter dated Dec 18, 2014, written by Zahid in support of Phua, was reported in the South China Morning Post and was picked up by Malaysian media.

 

The document, addressed to FBI deputy director Mark F Giuliano, was submitted as evidence in a US court case involving Phua's prosecution. 

 

Letter withdrawn after Putrajaya objected

In the letter , Zahid claimed that Phua Phua did not belong to the 14K triad and was assisting Malaysia on matters concerning "national security", and was "eager" for his return to Malaysia.

 

The document was submitted as evidence in a US court case involving alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua Wei Seng.

 

However, Zahid's letter was withdrawn from a Nevada District Court after Putrajaya objected to it being used for Phua's defence.

 

Zahid ( left ) reportedly claimed that his Dec 18, 2014, letter to the FBI was "to confirm" that 14K did not exist in Malaysia and Phua is not a member of the criminal organisation.

 

The opposition has demanded answers on this matter from Zahid and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

 

PKR plans to file a police report against the minister and veteran lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is acting for Phua in Malaysia.

Soldiers also 'influenced by social media'

Hishamuddin also expressed concern over a former commando of the Malaysian Armed Forces who was reportedly arrested among 135 IS-linked militants in Saudi Arabia.

 

He said those who joined the Malaysian army were just “ordinary people” who may be influenced by IS through social media.

 

"This is worrying, we will look into this. However, the army are just ordinary people.

 

"From the international intelligence report, which I know from USA, UK and China, this has been a new phenomenon.

 

No one can escape from being exposed to the influence of social media, including our army," he said.

 

The Star today reported that the 29-year-old former commando, an expert in making and defusing bombs, was detained on Dec 28, 2014 by Saudi authorities in Riyadh.

 

The man went missing after accompanying his father for the umrah pilgrimage on Dec 15, according to the report.

 

Hishamuddin said his ministry will work closely with the police on the issue.

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