KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied allegations of interfering in graft investigations involving his former political aide Farhash Wafa Salvador, as reported by Bloomberg.

The general directive given to all authorities, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), was to carry out their duties decisively and without compromise, in order to combat crime and corruption, Anwar said.

“These were the instructions given but without reference to any specific cases, because the MACC, like the Attorney General’s Chambers, must act independently and decisively, without fear or favour,” Anwar said during the Dewan Rakyat’s oral question-and-answer session on Tuesday.

Anwar was responding to a question from Pasir Mas Member of Parliament Ahmad Fadhli Shaari about Bloomberg’s report and whether the government planned to take action against the news outlet.

In September, Bloomberg reported that Anwar allegedly instructed MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki not to investigate Farhash in connection with a share purchase related to a company involved in the development of a new billion-ringgit immigration system.

The report also claimed that Anwar directed the MACC to investigate Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his sons, and long-time associate Daim Zainuddin.

Both the Prime Minister’s Office and the MACC have since refuted the allegations.

Anwar added that the police had launched an investigation into Bloomberg’s report and had summoned several individuals, including representatives from the news outlet, for statements.

“As the investigation is ongoing, I will leave it to the authorities to decide on the appropriate course of action,” he said.

Unfair to link me with Farhash, says Anwar

Meanwhile, Anwar said that it was unfair to continuously associate him with Farhash simply because the Farhash had worked for him years ago.

The prime minister pointed out that the company in question, with which Farhash was reportedly involved, is primarily owned by Kelantan’s Sultan Muhammad V.

While Anwar did not name the company, it is believed that he was referring to HeiTech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU), in which Sultan Muhammad V’s private vehicle, Rosetta Partners Sdn Bhd, is a substantial shareholder.

In March, Farhash emerged as a significant shareholder in HeiTech Padu through his deemed interest in Mfivesouthsea Sdn Bhd, the parent company of Rosetta Partners.

However, Farhash ceased to be a substantial shareholder a month later, after facing backlash when HeiTech Padu was awarded a RM190.01 million contract by the Ministry of Transport.

Anwar clarified that the contract had been approved by the previous government, not his administration. He also urged the opposition to report any wrongdoing to the authorities, if they have evidence.