KUALA LUMPUR: A Pas assemblyman has issued an apology and retracted his claim that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is one of the richest politicians in the world during the Penang state assembly sitting, reports said.
According to Free Malaysia Today, Penaga assemblyman Yusni Mat Piah issued the apology after he was reprimanded by the Penang state speaker Law Choo Kiang.
The report said Yusni acknowledged the ranking he based his claim on might lack credibility.
"I retract my statement regarding Anwar on the ranking of world leaders, and apologise to all members. The part on asset declaration is true," Yusni was quoted as saying.
It was reported that Yusni, during his debate on the 2025 Penang state budget on Tuesday, claimed that the country had wealthy politicians like Anwar, while many people were struggling to make ends meet.
He referenced a UK personal finance website that ranked Anwar as the 17th richest politician in the world.
Despite being instructed by backbenchers and the deputy speaker to retract his statement, he said he was willing to face the assembly's rights and privileges committee.
Law, however, pointed out that the UK website had stated it could not guarantee the accuracy of its report.