[UPDATED] ‘I never said MACC probe into Perikatan over gaming funds stopped’

KUALA LUMPUR – Probes by the authorities into Perikatan Nasional (PN) allegedly using gambling proceeds to fund its campaigns in the last general election (GE15) are not necessarily over, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said today.

In a statement today, she said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), despite not having opened investigation papers on the matter, still has the right to investigate and open papers as and when new information and evidence is obtained.

She also warned against politicising news that the anti-graft agency had not opened any such papers.

This follows some news reports yesterday citing the law minister as saying that MACC had “dropped” its probe into PN.

“I would like to stress that the answer I provided in the Dewan Rakyat on behalf of MACC did not state that any investigations on the matter have been stopped or dropped. 

“Instead, the commission only stated that no investigation papers have been opened, as the information it has obtained so far is general in nature,” she said.

Azalina, who is also Pengerang MP, pointed out that besides MACC, there are other relevant authorities, such as the Royal Malaysia Police and the Inland Revenue Board, with the power to investigate any crimes.

“As such, it is unfair for any party to politicise or distort the answer I provided to Pasir Mas MP (Ahmad Fadhli Shaari) on the matter, much less make baseless accusations against the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim). 

“I urge all parties to respect the rule of law principle and not make reckless conclusions based on the answer I gave,” she added. 

The claims that PN had used gambling proceeds to fund its GE15 was first made by Anwar after becoming prime minister last year.

Earlier today, PN component party PAS said Anwar must apologise after noting Azalina’s explanation yesterday.

PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was also reported saying today that the coalition will consider suing Anwar for his allegations, noting that it will seek for an apology from Anwar first before deciding on the next course of action. – The Vibes, May 26, 2023