I have the authority to issue letter to FBI, says Zahid
(The Malaysian Insider) – Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today said he had the authority to write a letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua Wei Seng.
Breaking his silence for the first time on the issue, the home minister said his predecessor had also previously issued a clarification letter similar to the one he had sent to FBI deputy director Mark F. Giuliano.
“The minister before me had also issued a clarification letter based on the authority given to the position. That is why I signed the letter,” Zahid said at a press conference at the Home Ministry in Putrajaya.
The home minister, however, added that the letter was not meant to defend Phua who is facing trial in the United States.
“The letter was to clarify the status of Phua and the existence of the 14K triad in Malaysia,” Zahid said, adding that it was not a support letter not to charge Phua.
