Anwar urges Parliament to debate Pandora Papers

KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has filed a motion to debate the issue of the Pandora Papers in Parliament.

In a statement, the PKR president said this takes into account the exposé of a treasure trove of leaked documents this morning involving some of the world’s wealthiest people.

He said he had sent a motion to the parliamentary speaker in line with Standing Orders 18(1) of the Dewan Rakyat.

“I urge the Dewan Rakyat to immediately debate this urgent issue as it has mentioned some reputable names in the country,” he said.

“I believe this matter is also in the interest of the people because it also mentions the names of government and opposition political figures.”

Anwar, who is also Port Dickson MP, added that he hopes the motion will be considered and approved for debate in Parliament.

His statement comes after the leak of millions of documents revealing offshore assets and deals of hundreds of billionaires, world leaders, and public officials.

Dubbed the Pandora Papers by international news agency The Guardian, the tranche of documents consists of 11.9 million files from financiers hired by wealthy individuals to store their funds in tax havens such as Panama, Dubai, Monaco, Switzerland, and the Cayman Islands.

The leak involved at least 600 international reporters associated with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

Earlier this morning, MalaysiaKini shed light on the businesses and associates of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin.

The news site sighted documents allegedly showing companies and trusts held by his children and wife, said to be valued at at least £25 million (RM141 million).

However, Daim had denied any wrongdoing, insisting that all related dealings were legitimate and part of his “estate planning”.

Daim also said he had always paid due taxes on investments and properties in their respective jurisdictions.

Due to the expansiveness of the documents obtained, more exposés are expected to be made in the short and long terms. – The Vibes, October 4, 2021