Fadhli dares Anwar to sue Bloomberg over claim of halting Farhash probe

MAHKOTA BY-ELECTION | PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has challenged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to sue Bloomberg over its article claiming that the premier had ordered the MACC not to investigate his former political secretary.

During a Perikatan Nasional ceramah for the Mahkota by-election in Taman Sri Kluang, Kluang, the Pasir Mas MP told Anwar to take legal action against the international news agency if the report was false.

“Today the Prime Minister’s Office denied this report.

“But I want to challenge Anwar to sue Bloomberg for defaming him. If it’s not true, then sue,” Fadhli (above) said last night.

Yesterday, Bloomberg released a report citing three sources who claimed that Anwar had ordered MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki not to investigate Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak over the latter’s purchase of shares in HeiTech Padu Bhd.

The technology services provider is linked to the development of a new immigration system costing RM1 billion.

In March, reports claimed that Farhash allegedly invested nearly RM40 million in the company, after it had been shortlisted for the government contract.

Bloomberg also reported Azam as telling MACC officials that Anwar had instructed him to launch investigations into former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his three sons, and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin instead.

‘Better for Tiong to be a street dancer’

At the same time, Fadhli during his speech, lambasted Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing for urging Mahkota’s Chinese voters to make the right choice at the ballot box, lest they lose their right to wear shorts and miniskirts.

The PAS leader told Tiong not to make speeches while intoxicated, telling him that he was better suited to the career of a street dancer rather than a minister.

He also accused the Bintulu MP of touching on 3R (race, religion, and royalty) issues with his remarks.

Fadhli went on to deny that PN would enforce strict dress codes on non-Muslims, saying that appropriate attire has its time and place, such as on government premises.

“Now, while PN is not the government, can you wear miniskirts or shorts if you were to enter Parliament?

“You can’t, (because) there are places with these dress codes,” he said.

The coalition government candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah will face PN’s Mohd Haizan Jaafar in a straight fight for the Johor state seat on Saturday.

The by-election was called following the death of the incumbent from Umno, Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, on Aug 2.

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