Anwar on a ‘suing spree’
FEAR OF EXPOSURE: ‘Three Billion Ringgit Man’ lying to Malaysians, claims former associate
A FORMER close associate of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Senator Datuk S. Nalla-karuppan yesterday accused the opposition leader of going on a “suing spree” to prevent his misdeeds from being exposed to the public.
“But he can only dream of shutting my mouth or stopping me from talking about his misconduct,” he said.
Nallakaruppan was referring to several threats of legal action issued by Anwar recently against newspapers and his opponents over allegations of him amassing RM3 billion while he was the deputy prime minister and finance minister.
Nallakaruppan instead questioned why Anwar has yet to file a suit against former Bank Negara assistant governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid and businesswoman Ummi Hafilda Ali who had brought up the allegations against him.
“Maybe he has special feelings towards Ummi as she is the sister of PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) deputy president Azmin Ali,” he quipped.
Murad had made a statutory declaration in October 1999, alleging that Anwar had RM3 billion in several accounts, set up by his cronies.
Anwar had denied the accusations shortly after they were made but did not take legal action against Murad.
Nallakaruppan said he had pointed out that Anwar had amassed a huge amount of money three years ago but it did not catch the public’s attention then.
“But now, everything has come out in the open and people are asking where Anwar got the money for his overseas trips every month.”
He added that Anwar was not likely to return the RM3 billion he allegedly amassed to the people, despite being pressured by several quarters to do so.
“He will never do it and instead, would point fingers at Umno leaders and call them corrupt and cry conspiracy.”
Referring to Anwar as the “Three Billion Ringgit Man”, Nallakarupan, who is also the Malaysian United Indian Party president, accused his former friend of not telling Malaysians the truth on many occasions.
“RM3 billion is not a small amount of money. It’s a big amount which can benefit the people. So, if he doesn’t have the money as alleged, then he should go to the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) and prove his innocence.”
