Anwar wants Muhyiddin, Shafie and a few others investigated for corruption

(FMT) – Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has demanded a full investigation into two companies, Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) and Bestinet, following allegations about their involvement in a visa scheme and supplying foreign labour.

Anwar said the controversy over the two companies raised doubts about the government’s ability to manage misappropriation and malpractice.

“Issues of this size demand thorough and swift action, especially from the prime minister as it involves the names of ministers and former ministers,” he said in a statement today.

Anwar said he had previously spoken in the Dewan Rakyat about the recruitment of foreign labour. “I referred to it as modern slavery, where workers are blackmailed while traders and agents act as oppressors who reap huge profits.”

Bestinet is involved in the recruitment of workers from Bangladesh. A labour agency in Dhaka has accused Bestinet founder Mohd Amin Abdul Nor of “persuading” the government to limit the number of agencies that supply labour to only 25.

UKSB was named in the corruption trial of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the company which handled the visa system for Chinese tourists.

A witness had testified that political leaders Muhyiddin Yassin, Shafie Apdal, Anifah Aman, and Reezal Merican Naina Merican were among those who received payments from the company.

Earlier today, Kedah Bersatu said it will be lodging a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission tomorrow about the allegations of several “ministers, politicians and government servants” receiving money from UKSB.

State Bersatu info chief Khairul Anuar Ramli said he hoped those implicated, namely health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, former foreign minister Anifah Aman, housing and local government minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican, and defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein, would respond to these allegations.

He did not name former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is Bersatu president.