'Gang Nicky'-linked businessperson says met PM at fundraiser, 'given' PKR Youth shirt after donation

Businessperson Nicky Liow today confirmed his presence at a recent PKR-linked fundraiser where he was photographed wearing a PKR Youth shirt while standing next to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

At a press conference held in Petaling Jaya, Liow read out a press statement in Mandarin, while his lawyer, Rajpal Singh, responded to further questions in Malay and English.

The organisers also distributed a prepared “Q&A Media” that listed all anticipated questions and answers, which followed reports last Sunday that a man resembling Liow was spotted at the PKR event.

“No big funding from him (Liow) but he inserted money into a donation box.

“That day there was a donation box. He put in money, they gave him a (PKR Youth) shirt and he wore it.

“He is young. When he donated and they gave him the shirt, he just wore it without thinking. He didn’t realise it would become a big issue,” said Rajpal.

Former Batu PKR chief Asheeq Ali Sethi Alivi previously shared a photo of a man resembling Liow standing alongside Anwar and another man at the event.

However, the photograph, which appeared to be from Persatuan Kebajikan Yee Aik Banting Selangor’s Facebook page, whose members were also at the event, could no longer be found.

‘Many took photos’

Rajpal today said the photograph was taken after Anwar’s speech.

“After the prime minister ended his speech, he walked towards a tent that was initially the VIP tent but afterwards opened to all.

“Many people took photos there, including Liow. It was not a special set-up or by invitation.

“They took a photograph and a politician later used the photo to create a big issue, for I don’t know what reason,” he said.

Asked to clarify Liow’s reason for attending the event, Rajpal said it was based on an open invitation to NGOs, including one which the restaurant owner was a member.

No active cases

Rajpal, who alluded to questions raised by Asheeq and Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung on Liow’s past criminal links, reaffirmed that his client has been acquitted and discharged from charges of being involved in organised crime.

On a separate trial to 26 counts of money laundering involving RM36 million at the Shah Alam Sessions Court, Rajpal also said Liow had been granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA).

“But those Amla (Anti-Money Laundering Act) charges were not because he’s a scammer. Nothing of the sort. The Amla charges were because he did not provide enough ‘disclosure’ to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

“After that, he paid the IRB almost RM400,000. Those cases were withdrawn and granted a DNAA. All the Amla charges,” he stressed.

Rajpal, who said Liow is not considering further legal actions against any parties who spread “slander” against him, urged that no further questions are raised in the matter.

Following the initial questions, PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh also confirmed that Liow is not a party member.

Appellate court acquits 14 individuals linked to 'Nicky Gang' of all charges

After dodging police dragnet for a year, 'Nicky' Liow surrenders