PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim today defended the party's vice-president Azmin Ali on his alleged involvement in the purchase of shares worth RM8 million with two other individuals which was raised by Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation chairperson SA Vickneswaran.

The PKR advisor said an investigation into the allegation was carried out in 1998 when Azmin was detained and later released.

azmin ali pc in parliament 020709 02 "Azmin had already issued a statement denying the allegation and would take legal action on the matter. We have to differentiate fact from fiction. I did not see the document, but I know because an investigation was carried out right from the start and there was no action taken. In fact, he was released," Anwar said.

Anwar said this at a media conference after delivering his keynote address at the Selangor PKR Convention which was opened by his wife and party president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today.

On his appointment as the Selangor economic advisor, Anwar said that among other things, the move was aimed at strengthening the position of the Pakatan Rakyat in the state besides defending Selangor from being wrested by Barisan Nasional.

In addition, his main focus would be to assist Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim in tackling several issues that needed attention such as the economic growth fund, management and investments in the state.

On Friday, Abdul Khalid announced Anwar's appointment as economic advisor to the Selangor state government for which he would receive a monthly allowance of RM1, at the winding up of the debate on the 2010 state budget.

- Bernama