THE Attorney-General’s Chambers has issued a "No Further Action" directive following Bloomberg’s report claiming that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission acted on the Prime Minister’s instructions in investigating certain individuals.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, in a written parliamentary reply, stated that the directive was issued as “there was insufficient evidence in the investigation papers.”
She clarified that, unlike civil cases, criminal cases have no limitation period. “Therefore, if new developments arise in the future, further investigations and reviews of the case may still be carried out,” she said.
Azalina added that the investigation papers had been submitted by the police following a report lodged by the MACC.
She also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of speech under Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution, within the limits prescribed by law.
“Defamation cases are governed under Section 499 of the Penal Code, and for the honourable member’s information, there is no limitation period prescribed for filing criminal actions related to defamation,” she said.
She noted that any concerns regarding media reporting or journalistic ethics may be referred to the newly established Malaysian Media Council.
The Bloomberg report had cited sources claiming that MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had informed officials that investigations into former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his sons, as well as former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, were allegedly initiated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Bloomberg also alleged that Anwar had instructed MACC not to investigate his former political secretary, Farhash Wafa Salvador, over the purchase of shares in a company linked to the development of a billion-ringgit immigration system.
The Prime Minister’s Office promptly refuted both reports, asserting that Anwar had never issued any directive or interfered in MACC investigations.
The MACC itself also stated that it did not take instructions from anyone, including the prime minister, when conducting investigations. - November 5, 2025