Anwar dismisses claim that minister took RM9.5mil from businessman

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today dismissed an allegation that a minister had received RM9.5 million from a businessman.

Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said allegations of corruption should be investigated with no exceptions.

However, he said the RM9.5 million claim was a “political statement” that was “not backed by any evidence”.

“The minister concerned has challenged it and taken the matter to court,” he said.

Anwar also said corruption was not confined to any particular political party.

“If there are cases involving members of PKR, I will not use my powers to stop them, including in the case of my former political secretary,” he said, referring to Shamsul Iskandar Akin who is facing trial for corruption.

Anwar was responding to Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu), who asked about investigations into so-called corporate mafia activities involving businessman Victor Chin, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak and former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki.

Rosol also referred to an allegation made in a podcast that a minister had received RM9.5 million to act as an intermediary in resolving a corporate mafia-related matter.

Anwar took aim at a former MP “who raised the matter but remained silent when he was serving as a minister”.

“This is why I tell my friends in Cabinet to use their powers properly to fix things and (not to wait) until they are retired or on the opposition bench to speak up on issues,” he added.

The prime minister also said the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) had initiated 239 criminal charges against 50 individuals since 2023, as part of increased enforcement against corporate crimes.

He outlined enforcement actions involving 70 individuals and the freezing or seizure of properties, vehicles, securities trading accounts and bank accounts.

“The total amount seized was recovered through the efforts of Bank Neg

Anwar also pledged to make public within three months a report containing the findings of a soon-to-formed special multi-agency task force to be led by the attorney-general.

He said the task force involved MACC, the police, BNM, the SC, Inland Revenue Board and anti-money laundering enforcement units.

“I am asking for a complete report so that no one will assume that there is no transparency here and there are (people) who will be protected,” he added.

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