DAP, Pas ‘should defend Anwar over RM3b claim’
BN info chief wonders why Anwar is keeping silent
(NST) – DEPUTY Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan wants DAP and Pas top leaders to come out in defence of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the RM3 billion issue.
He said since PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had chosen to remain silent over the issue, other opposition leaders like Karpal Singh, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and Datuk Seri Hadi Awang should provide strong evidence or come up with statutory declarations in defence of Anwar.
“We don’t want empty rhetoric political answers or avoidance from facing the truth,” he said in a text message to the New Straits Times yesterday.
He said if former Bank Negara assistant governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid and businesswoman Ummi Hafilda Ali’s statements were true, then Anwar was a great actor for being quick to accuse others of bribery but silent when he himself was accused of the same.
“The people’s question is, why isn’t Anwar implicated in bribery and is this because the RM3 billion is such a huge amount?
“I also wonder why, until today, Anwar has not sued Ummi Hafilda, Anuar Shaari and the non-governmental organisation, Tibai, which had made the bold statement.”
Tibai, or the Tolak Individu Bernama Anwar Ibrahim (Reject Individual Named Anwar Ibrahim), is headed by former PKR national Youth deputy chief, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, who had formed the non-governmental organisation to expose to the public who Anwar really is and to counter his slander against the government.
Ahmad, who is also Barisan Nasional Publicity and Information Bureau chairman, reminded Anwar not to think the people were stupid and could be easily deflected by his speech and debating skills.
“Anwar has been portraying himself as pious and clean from any form of bribery. But people now know everything. Even his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah can no longer cover it up.”
He said the people were waiting for the outcome of the RM3 billion issue and urged the police to investigate so that the truth would be made known.
In Sepang, more than 100 representatives from 15 different NGOs gathered at the Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi bus station yesterday to urge the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to probe the RM3 billion allegations against Anwar.
The NGOs, which included the Tamil Youth Club, Sepang Veteran Malaysian Association of Youths Club, Sepang Silat Association and the Sepang 4B Youth Movement, marched to the Sepang police station to lodge a report on the matter.
Sepang Volunteer Association chairman Mohamed Jaman said they also wanted the police and the Inland Revenue Board to look into the allegations.
“This matter should be looked into as it concerns the rakyat and public funds, and the people have a right to know. Action must be taken to punish those involved.”
The crowd held placards and banners bearing slogans such as “Return the people’s money RM3 billion” and “Anwar the Liar, Anwar the Traitor”.
Anwar was accused of handling 20 master accounts worth RM3 billion during his tenure as finance minister.
