Apologise for lies, PAS tells PM after probe on gambling proceeds claims dropped
Meanwhile, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin reportedly says coalition mulls legal action
KUALA LUMPUR – With no further action by the anti-graft agency, PAS now wants an apology from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for alleging that Perikatan Nasional (PN) parties had used gambling proceeds to fund its campaigns in the last general election.
PAS information chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin said the party has noted the explanation by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will not pursue further action on the allegations.
Azalina said in a parliamentary written reply yesterday that MACC found the information on the allegations “too general” and could not be confirmed.
On that basis, MACC did not open any investigation papers.
Khairil said this showed that Anwar had lied.
“It is clear proof that the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional government led by PMX is lying,” he said in a statement posted on PAS’ Twitter account.
“The allegation was first made by PMX a few weeks after taking office, and this confirms he has lied.
“We urge PMX to issue a public apology for the lies and slander he has hurled against PN,” Khairil said, using “PMX” as a reference to Anwar being the country’s 10th prime minister. Azalina’s written reply yesterday had been in response to PAS Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN), who asked about the status of the case.
After coming to power, Anwar announced that the federal government is looking into allegations that PN parties – PAS and Bersatu – had used gambling proceeds from 4D special draws by gaming companies to help finance elections.
This was refuted by PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Baru-PN) said the accusations were “baseless” and urged Anwar to present clear evidence over the “wild allegations”.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (Marang-PN) had also said that it made no sense for gaming companies to finance PN’s election campaigns as the Islamist PAS is strongly against gambling.
Meanwhile, PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was reported saying today that the coalition will consider suing Anwar for his allegations.
The former prime minister said PN would first demand an apology and wait to see if Anwar responds, before deciding on the next course of action, according to Free Malaysia Today.
Muhyiddin said this outside the Kuala Lumpur sessions court today where he had been present for case management in his RM232 million abuse of power and money laundering charges.
– The Vibes, May 26, 2023
