Addressing the House: Anwar speaking during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament yesterday. — Bernama
GRAFT investigators must continue their probe into the controversial RM9bil Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project to find the real culprit behind its delay, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must take follow-up action, adding that the probe must continue as action that had been taken was not enough to uncover the real culprit behind the scandal.
“I am one of the earliest to make a stand on this case. My instruction is that although there is prosecution, it is not enough because the scandal was large-scale.
“Leakages occurred, so there must be follow-up action,” he said in reply to a supplementary question by Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) during the Prime Minister’s Question Time.
Ahmad Fadhli had asked the Prime Minister what were the follow-up actions on the issue of governance raised before the 15th General Election.
In August last year, the Public Accounts Committee revealed that some RM1.4bil in government allocations for the project had been diverted for other purposes.
Following this, former Navy chief Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM21.08mil.
Anwar said any form of investigation by the relevant bodies including the MACC or the Inland Revenue Board must be comprehensive and not just against a certain individual or party.
He said if the authorities have strong evidence that a person had committed wrongdoings, he or she must be prepared to face charges.
The Prime Minister hit out at the Opposition for falsely accusing him of interfering in investigations made by the MACC.
“We are talking about justice and fighting against tyranny and baseless accusations. Please do not judge a person without any evidence. When an action is taken, please don’t blame me.
“Don’t call me cruel and accuse me of interfering. I want to tell those on the other side (Opposition), please remember as a responsible Muslim, do you have evidence that Anwar had interfered to charge anyone?
“If you do not have evidence, it is cruel to make false accusations against me,” he added.
He also denied accusations that he interfered in the court case involving Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“His case is still ongoing in court; I did not interfere. You can ask the MACC and the AG. When did I interfere to reduce or withdraw the charges?
“Do not simply judge. I am not that kind of low-class politician,” he said.
