Probe papers on report claiming PM's MACC meddling with AGC: Azalina

Summary

• Azalina Othman Said reveals in a parliamentary reply that the investigation papers concerning a Bloomberg report that claimed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had interfered with MACC’s affairs have been submitted to the AGC.

• The minister stresses that the government remains committed to defending free speech, but there are legal limits to it.

Police have submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers their investigation papers for a probe into a Bloomberg report that alleged the prime minister had interfered in MACC affairs. 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said said the police investigation into Bloomberg came after a report filed by the anti-graft agency. 

“Regarding current updates on legal action against news agency Bloomberg, based on input I received from MACC, they have lodged a report with the police.

“(The police’s) investigation paper has been referred to the AGC for further action,” Azalina said in a parliamentary written reply to Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who had sought for updates on the case.

The PAS information chief shared a copy of Azalina’s response to his query with Malaysiakini after the reply was not included in the official document of written answers published on the Dewan Rakyat website.

‘Free speech not absolute’

In her response, Azalina also asserted that the government remains determined to defend the public’s right to freedom of speech, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

However, she stressed that the right is not absolute, adding that allegations of slander can be investigated anytime under Section 499 of the Penal Code, as there is no time limit set for such probes.

The minister also pointed to the establishment of the Malaysian Media Council Act 2025, noting that any issues with media reports, including concerns on journalistic ethics, can be brought to the council as a regulatory body.

In September last year, Bloomberg published a report, quoting sources, that implicated Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki in “concerted abuse of investigative powers” concerning supposedly targeted probes by the graft busters. 

The alleged political persecution was said to be focused on former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, whose widow, Na’imah Abdul Khalid, had lodged a police report against Anwar over the claims.

However, the police and the AGC have since classified Na’imah’s report as no further action (NFA). 

Anwar’s ex-aide implicated

Bloomberg’s report also claimed that Anwar had ordered Azam not to investigate the prime minister’s 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 the government’s RM1 billion immigration system. 

Recently, Farhash found himself in the public limelight again, this time over claims that a company linked to him had secured a prospecting licence from state-owned Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd.

Farhash denied the allegations and issued a cease and desist letter against MalaysiaNow over its article making the claims.

Sabah mineral prospecting licences are the subject of a massive corruption scandal, after multiple assemblypersons, including state ministers, were caught on video discussing alleged bribes with businessperson Albert Tei - who later blew the whistle on the alleged deals.

Two Sabah politicians, state assistant minister Andi Suryady Bandy and Qhazanah Sabah chairperson Yusof Yacob, have been charged with taking RM350,000 in bribes from Tei, who has also been prosecuted for giving bribes.

Yesterday, PAS MP Shahidan Kassim had urged the Dewan Rakyat to debate the allegations against Farhash, who served as Anwar’s political secretary before the latter became prime minister. 

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