Ahmad Zahid: I did not receive a single sen from any gambling kingpins

(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied allegations that he was in cahoots with the “world’s biggest gambling kingpin.”

The home minister, who has been in the spotlight in January for a letter he signed purportedly vouching for Paul Phua, denied that he has received a single sen from any gambling kingpin or any illegal gambling groups.

“I have no links whatsoever with any illegal football gambling boss and all these allegations are aimed at me simply because of a letter,” he said in his opening speech at a forum on crime and policing in Malaysia.

Zahid has been in the limelight in January when a letter vouching for Phua surfaced during Phua’s trial in the United States.

Phua was facing illegal gambling charges in the US for taking bets during the football World Cup last summer.

Previously, Zahid had reportedly denied vouching for Phua and defended his letter by stating that it was done within his power as the home minister.

Later in a press conference, when asked to elaborate, Zahid was tight lipped about the letter and said he will only reveal more about the matter in Parliament.

“Don’t write about this now, write about it when I reveal more in Parliament,” he said.

Earlier, in his speech, Zahid had raised the prevalent misconceptions by the public against the police and against him.

He had said there was a misconception against him due to the allegations arising from the letter on Phua.