PKR has urged Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to clarify the status of alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua’s citizenship status following reports that Phua is a Montenegro citizen.

Ahmad Zahid wrote a letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) late last year defending Phua after the latter was arrested by FBI for alleged gambling racket activities in Las Vegas.

He even claimed in the letter that Phua had assisted Malaysia in national security matters.

And PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil ( left in photo ) had demanded that Ahmad Zahid clarify Phua’s citizenship status as any Malaysian with a dual citizenship will automatically cease to be a Malaysian citizen as per the federal constitution.

“This report, if true, brings about serious implications and raises some questions,” Fahmi said.

“Is Phua still a Malaysian citizen? Does Zahid know about Phua’s citizenship status when he wrote the letter to FBI?” he asked.

He also queried whether Phua was still assisting Malaysia in national security matters if he was no longer a Malaysian citizen.

Ahmad Zahid had refused to explain the national security matters in which Phua had assisted the government, claiming that such details are protected under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

“I want Ahmad Zahid to provide a full explanation on this matter,” Fahmi said.