Gambling funds: 'I wouldn't have issued any statement if I had no basis' - Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has asked Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to read his full statement on the alleged gambling funds linked to Perikatan Nasional (PN) during the 15th General Election (GE15) before taking any legal action.

At the same time, the premier also refused to issue an apology as demanded by the former prime minister.

"Read my full statement first before taking any action. But if he (Muhyiddin) wants to proceed with the legal actions, he is welcome to do so.

"I would not have issued a statement if I had no basis," he told reporters today.

He said this after the launching of the 40th Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) here.

"The investigations on the issue involved various agencies, and action would only be taken after sufficient evidence was gathered.

"Only then could one speak on the issue or take action according to the law," he added.

It was reported yesterday that Muhyiddin said he would discuss with his lawyers the follow-up actions to be taken against the statements made by Anwar and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The PN chairman had also demanded that Anwar apologise for alleging that the party had used funds from gambling companies.

On Thursday, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman, in a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat, said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) did not find any element of accepting bribes and receiving funds by the previous government as claimed.

Azalina said MACC had conducted a detailed investigation into the allegation, but the agency found that the information was very general and no party could confirm it.

However, on Friday, Azalina insisted that the investigation into the allegation was not halted or dropped.

Meanwhile, when asked about speculation about a Cabinet reshuffle, Anwar, without confirming the matter, said he would review the list.

"In regards to the cabinet reshuffle, if you have any suggestions, then please write them to me.

"I will carefully consider it," he said briefly to the reporters here today.

This followed rumours of a cabinet reshuffle involving the cabinet ministers in the Unity Government after the state election.

Prior to this, Zahid said it was the Prime Minister's absolute right and discretion to reshuffle the Cabinet. - Awani