Ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim today denied that he had made a false claim that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad owned 70 percent equity in the New Straits Times and private television station TV3 .

Mahathir had yesterday accused his former protege-turned-nemesis of slandering him during an interview with BBC 's Hardtalk programme.

The former premier, when asked to comment on the allegation made by his one-time deputy by Malay daily Berita Harian , denied holding any stake in the two organisations.

Anwar, when contacted in US, where he is currently serving as a visiting fellow at the prestigious John Hopkins University in Baltimore, said his revelation was 'not a new issue' as it was exposed as early as 1999.

"What I said was merely affirming my sworn statement in court in which I had said that 70 percent of the shareholding of Real Mild (Sdn Bhd) which controlled the New Straits Times and TV3 at that time was in the name of Dr Mahathir Mohamed and the others (who held a stake) were the editors," he said

In the Berita Harian report, Mahathir claimed that Anwar made the allegation to influence the world community that he (Mahathir) is a corrupt leader who had committed many crimes.

The former premier, who sacked Anwar in 1998, termed the allegation as ' fitnah ' (slander) and labelled his former deputy as a 'backstabber'.

Independent inquiry

Responding, Anwar said the issue of ' fitnah ' does not arise and pointed out that no denial was made when he made the exposure in 1999 during his defence at the Kuala Lumpur High Court against a sodomy charge.

"This is not a new issue and was not denied from 1999 when I made the statement in court. So the issue of fitnah or malicious lie does not arise. I stand by with I had said," he added.

He also reiterated his call on the government to establish an independent inquiry into the holding and amassing of wealth and property by present and past leaders.

"This is the only way if the government is sincere in combatting corruption. It will also prove who is telling the truth," he said.

As to being called a 'backstabber', Anwar said he has no intentions of getting involved in personal attacks against the former premier.

"As I said in the programme, I no longer hold personal grudges against him and what I had said was merely to put the facts right," he added.

Meet the rakyat

On other issues, Anwar said he planned to have a series of 'meet the rakyat' session when he returns home for holidays between May 27 and June 1.

"I am well aware of the current issues back home... increase of price in basic goods and will be meeting the people at the ground," he added.

Following his sacking, Anwar was charged with abuse of power and sodomy. He served a six-year prison term for the first charge and was handed down a nine-year sentence for the second.

However, he was released last September after the Federal Court allowed his appeal against his sodomy conviction.

Anwar has steadfastly maintained of being a victim of a political conspiracy and that the charges were fabricated. This has been denied by Mahathir.