KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed allegations that link him to his former political aide Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak over the purchase of shares in a billion-ringgit company.
During Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today (Oct 15), Anwar said it was unfair to link him with Farhash solely because of their previous relationship.
He also stressed that any allegation must be thoroughly investigated, regardless of the parties involved.
"If there was a tender that did not go through the proper process, the matter will be investigated and handled fairly.
"(And) if there are any reports, they must be investigated, but the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission must act based on the investigation. What is the issue? Which company? What case?
"I will not cover it up at all if there is a case. However, I do not want to prolong this issue because it involves matters that I consider trivial but to straightaway say (linking me to him) because he was my staff four to five years ago was unfair," he said.
Anwar said this in response to a supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) who enquired for clarification on the matter.
He said the tender for the said company was approved during the previous administration when Farhash was still not part of the company.
However, he said any party with information on the matter or any case related to it should be reported to MACC.
"There are records. This is not a political matter and I respect the question from Pasir Mas (Fadhli), I do not question it.
"I have also checked the files and it was indeed approved in 2022, before I became the prime minister and the finance minister.
"If he is involved, it would be through the normal tender process, and if there are any violations, bring them forward and let MACC investigate the matter. I will ensure that MACC will not cover it up."
Last month, international news organisation Bloomberg had claimed that Anwar had allegedly instructed the MACC not to investigate Farhash over the controversial purchase of shares in a company connected to the development of a new billion-ringgit immigration system, citing three sources said to be familiar with the matter.
In March, it was reported that Farhash had acquired a substantial stake in a company shortlisted to develop the new billion-ringgit National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe).
Farhash secured a 15.91 per cent stake in HeiTech Padu Bhd through his company, Rosetta Partners Sdn Bhd.
He had stated that Rosetta Partners is a subsidiary of Mfivesouthsea Sdn Bhd, which he jointly owns with Kelantan's Sultan Muhammad V.
The acquisition of shares in HeiTech Padu occurred just a day after MyEG Services Bhd purchased a 14.4 per cent equity stake in the company for RM31.25 million on March 11.
On the same day, HeiTech Padu announced it had been awarded a one-year extension of its contract to maintain the Malaysian Immigration System (MyIMMs), worth over RM13 million.
HeiTech Padu is one of three companies shortlisted by the government to develop the RM1 billion NIISe, which will replace MyIMMs.
MACC and the Prime Minister's Office have since denied the Bloomberg report.