An outspoken lawyer contended it is not enough for the MACC to publicly deny having received instructions not to investigate Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former aide.

Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said Anwar must file a defamation suit against international media organisation Bloomberg to ensure the people remain confident that the premier’s post has not been abused.

The legal practitioner was referring to Bloomberg’s latest report that MACC received orders not to probe Anwar’s ex-political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador over the alleged purchase of company shares.

In a media statement earlier today, MACC denied a media report that quoted sources who claimed the graft-buster was “instructed” not to investigate an individual over the purchase of a company’s share.

The MACC did not mention any names but made clear references to online portal MalaysiaNow’s report that quoted from an original article by Bloomberg.

“As a legal practitioner and a Malaysian citizen, my view is that the prime minister, who holds the highest governance position in the country, needs at all times to take actions under the law to strengthen the good name of the premiership’s post and the country.

“If there are international media like Bloomberg dare to write fake news without verification, the best step is to file the appropriate defamation suit.

“Denial is good but insufficient as not only the good name of the prime minister has been tarnished (ditokmah), but more importantly for the people of Malaysia, (there are allegations) the premiership’s chair has been used for wrongdoing or misuse of power via giving orders to MACC,” Haniff said in a video on his Facebook page this afternoon.

No public statement

The lawyer claimed that Anwar had not issued a public statement on his vow back in March to check with the Treasury regarding allegations against Farhash.

It should be noted that a month later in April, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil revealed that HeiTech Padu Bhd - where Farhash is a shareholder - won the RM190.01 million Road Transport Department (RTD) deal through an open tender process without being influenced by any individuals in the firm.

Fahmi then said Anwar and Transport Minister Anthony Loke explained the matter during a cabinet meeting.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) denied claims that Anwar had issued instructions to MACC and its chief commissioner Azam Baki.

Despite PMO’s denial, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari last night challenged Anwar to take legal action against the international news agency if the report was false.

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