KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described allegations that a minister received RM9.5 million to help resolve a dispute involving an alleged “corporate mafia” as a political claim unsupported by evidence, while stressing that no one would be exempt from investigation.
He said the minister concerned had challenged the allegations and taken the matter to court, adding that the legal process should be allowed to run its course.
“The allegation raised about a minister and RM9.5 million is a political statement that is not supported by evidence.
“The minister concerned has already challenged and responded to it, and brought the matter to court. So I think we have to wait for the court proceedings,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) during Prime Minister’s Question Time.
Rosol had raised allegations involving businessman Victor Chin Boon Long and several individuals, including former political secretary to the prime minister Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador, former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki and lawyer Sandraruben Neelamagham.
He also sought clarification on claims that a minister had received RM9.5 million to act as an intermediary in resolving the alleged corporate mafia dispute, and questioned the extent of investigations into those implicated.
Anwar maintained that investigations would proceed wherever allegations of wrongdoing arose, regardless of political affiliation.
“The term ‘sakau’ (misappropriation) is not associated with any particular political party.
“Whoever is involved in such wrongdoing, even if they are from my own party, action must be taken,” he said.
He also criticised politicians who raised allegations of corporate misconduct only after leaving government, questioning why major cases had received little attention when they were previously in office.
“That is why I always remind my friends who become ministers that if they want to use their powers properly and put things right, they should do so while they are in power.
“Tomorrow, when they leave or become the opposition, only then do they start raising these matters,” he said.
Anwar reiterated that his administration would not interfere in enforcement investigations or shield individuals facing allegations supported by evidence.
“If there is a case, I will not close it. If there is evidence, disclose it. That is the difference.”
The RM9.5 million controversy emerged in March when Chin alleged that an unnamed PKR lawmaker had received the payment in connection with efforts to resolve the alleged corporate mafia dispute.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan subsequently denied receiving the money or being involved in the alleged arrangement, challenging Chin to identify the lawmaker concerned.
Chin later described the alleged payment as a service fee and maintained that it was not intended to influence investigations by enforcement agencies.