Bloomberg claims: Anwar says only gave 'general' orders to MACC

PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat today that he only gave general orders to the MACC regarding corruption when asked about a Bloomberg report alleging political interference in graft probes.

In response to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), Anwar said his instructions to the authorities did not include any specific cases.

“The MACC itself has made a strong statement denying the said defamation because what happened were only general orders that I had given, including in Parliament.

“I wanted the MACC, the Inland Revenue Board, the Royal Malaysia Police, and enforcement bodies to act decisively, without compromise, and to combat crime decisively.

“These were the instructions given but without involving any specific cases because the MACC, like the Attorney-General’s Chambers, must act independently and decisively, without fear or favour,” he added.

Last month, Bloomberg released a report citing three sources who claimed that Anwar had ordered MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki to launch investigations against his rivals, including Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Daim Zainuddin.

The report also alleged that Anwar ordered Azam not to investigate his former aide 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 HeiTech Padu, after the company was shortlisted for the government contract.

‘PN approved company’

In his response to the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar emphasised that the company Farhash was involved with had received its approval from the previous Perikatan Nasional administration.

“But I must say, the approval of the company was done during the past government. At the time, Farhash was not yet a member of that company,” he said.

At this point, shouts were heard from the opposition bloc, and Anwar responded by insisting that the matter was true as there were records of it.

“And that company now, a large part of its shares are owned by His Highness (Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V),” the premier added.

Chief opposition whip Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) later attempted to bring Standing Order 36(7) against Anwar for trying to influence the house by mentioning the name of a ruler.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul rebuffed the attempt, saying that this did not influence any decision made by the house.

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