PAS has told Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to stop hiding behind the Official Secrets Act 1972  (OSA) and be transparent on what the "huge secret" in the government's dealings with a suspected gambling kingpin is.

"PAS continues to assert that the government, especially the home minister, needs to be transparent in this issue (regarding alleged kingpin Paul Phua).

"Do not make excuses of a 'big secret' protected by the OSA to enable the government to conspire with gambling kingpins and secret societies over matters of national security," said PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar ( left ) in a statement today.

He said Zahid's defence of the suspected gambling kingpin currently facing trial in Las Vegas, USA, showed the government's hypocrisy.

"This matter is just like a two-faced act - in front of the common people they chant slogans against crime, while behind they apparently have close and friendly relations with criminals," said Mahfuz.

Zahid has remained evasive about his controversial letter to the American FBI appealing for Phua, who is being charged over allegedly operating a gambling den in suites in the famous Caesars Palace during last year's World Cup.

On Dec 30, Hong Kong daily South China Morning Post reported Zahid's clarification to the FBI that Phua is not a member of the 14K triad as alleged and that Phua has worked with the Malaysian government on national security projects.

Merely carrying out his duty

After maintaining silence for two weeks following the expose, the minister finally spoke up this week insisting the projects were classified as ' top secret ' and protected under the OSA.

Zahid also denied vouching for Phua, stating that he was merely carrying out his duty as home minister by clarifying Phua's status.

Mahfuz said the rakyat deserved an explanation as to why an alleged kingpin would be aiding the country in "national security projects".

He also questioned the need for Zahid to intervene in a police matter.

"The PDRM has admitted that it was cooperating with the FBI, so what was the necessity that would require the minister to intervene in the mater?

"It appears as if Zahid ( right ) was so sure of his information, even though the FBI is known as a competent agency when it comes to intelligence and investigations.

The FBI - in its case against Phua - claimed him to be a member of the 14K triad, citing information provided by the Malaysian police.

However, Zahid's letter contradicted this information and inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar has refused to make any comments which would appear at odds with the minister.

"I can only reiterate that while 14K (a transnational crime organisation) does not exist here, there are Malaysians abroad who are known to be members of the triad.

 

"How people wish to interpret this statement is up to them," Khalid had said.