Police will deal with Bloomberg, Anwar says amid calls to clear his name over MACC meddling allegations

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today carefully sidestepped questions on whether he would take legal action to clear his name in connection with a Bloomberg report last month alleging that he had interfered in the affairs of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to go after political enemies, at the same times thwart investigations into a former aide.

Instead, Anwar said he would allow the police to conduct their investigation into journalists from the financial news agency.

He said he had been informed that police had taken statements from Bloomberg and other "related individuals" on Oct 1 and Oct 11.

"I leave it to the police to investigate and the attorney-general to take appropriate action," he told Dewan Rakyat in response to a question from Perikatan Nasional Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari.

Fadhli had asked if the government was ready to take legal action against Bloomberg over the report published on Sept 26, that triggered a police report by former finance minister Daim Zainuddin calling for Anwar to be investigated for abuse of power.

This came amid repeated calls for Anwar to sue Bloomberg, with critics saying mere denials by MACC and the Prime Minister's Office were unconvincing to refute the allegations.

On Sept 26, Bloomberg quoted sources as saying that Anwar had instructed MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki to investigate Daim, former leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his children.

The report also claimed that Azam was instructed by Anwar not to investigate his former political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador over the controversial purchase of shares in a company linked to the development of a new billion-ringgit immigration system.

'What case?'

Anwar played down the allegations against Farhash, saying the company involved was linked to the Sultan of Kelantan.

"What's the issue? What company? What case? I believe Pasir Mas (Fahdli) knows that it is about a company involving the sultan, not Farhash," Anwar said in a reply that drew a protest from PN's Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan, who cited Parliament's Standing Orders prohibiting the use of rulers' names to influence Parliament.

Farhash, the former Perak PKR chief who was appointed chairman of tycoon Vincent Tan's 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings just five weeks after Anwar took office, had acquired a 15.91% stake in HeiTech Padu through his company Rosetta Partners Sdn Bhd.

Farhash had said Rosetta Partners was a subsidiary of Mfivesouthsea Sdn Bhd, which he jointly owns with Kelantan's Sultan Muhammad V.

The following day, HeiTech Padu announced it had received a one-year extension of its contract to maintain the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs) worth over RM13 million.

On Apr 15, the company secured a contract worth RM190 million from the Road Transport Department (JPJ), with Transport Minister Anthony Loke challenging critics of the deal to lodge a report with MACC.

Three days later, it was announced that Farhash was no longer a substantial shareholder of the company following a change in the structure of Mfivesouthsea Sdn Bhd.

Last month, Heitech hit the headlines again after it secured another RM133.73 million contract from JPJ.

Anwar said it was the previous government that approved contracts to the company.

"But I do not want to drag the issue as it is a trivial matter involving individuals... and it's only being raised because he was my employee four or five years ago."

In further defence of Farhash, Anwar said that the company in question is currently owned by the Sultan, adding that everything was done after a proper tendering process.

"If there is any wrongdoing, it should be brought up. If there is a case, it will be investigated by MACC and if there is a case, I have never blocked it. But my question is, what case?"

'Clear your name'

Fadhli, meanwhile, said it was important for the prime minister to take action against Bloomberg as he had been convicted and jailed for abuse of power two decades ago.

He said authorities had similarly investigated Bloomberg journalists over an earlier report in April that claimed Anwar had met with tycoons to discuss plans to open Malaysia's second casino.

"There was an investigation but there were no further announcements or action. But we saw the prime minister attending events organised by the agency," he said, referring to Anwar's attendance at a Bloomberg forum in Qatar.

Fadhli said the prime minister must personally clear his name instead of questioning journalists and critics who are calling on him to sue Bloomberg.

"I call for a firm and comprehensive response from the prime minister and personal pressure from the prime minister, and I am sure the people will rally behind the prime minister," he said.

Earlier this month, Daim's lawyers accused the police of failing to act on his police report against Anwar.

They say the report clearly called on the police to investigate allegations that Anwar had abused his office in connection with investigations against political enemies of the prime minister.

"The complaint is being investigated by an inspector at the Sentul police headquarters. But this is a complaint lodged in which we want the PM to be investigated. Can an inspector investigate a PM? It's highly unlikely," said lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan.

It is understood that police have launched an investigation under Section 233 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act, a law often used against government critics, as well as Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which relates to statements prejudicial to the state and public tranquillity.