By Chua Sue Ann, The Edge
PKR's election machinery director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today welcomed calls by Umno Youth to probe PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's alleged "billion-dollar bank account", but wants similar investigations to extend to other politicians.
Saifuddin was responding to Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin's call for police to refresh its investigations into allegations made by former Bank Negara assistant governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid in 1999 that Anwar had RM3 billion in several master accounts.
Abdul Murad later retracted the statutory declaration in which he detailed his allegations, but Khairy maintained that the matter should still be investigated for public interest.
Speaking at a press conference here, Saifuddin said: "We agree with the Umno Youth chief based on the principles that leaders must be whiter than white... not only Anwar as opposition leader, but for all politicians."
The Machang member of parliament then turned the tables, saying this would present him an opportunity to renew his previous police reports against other politicians, as well as reveal fresh cases.
Saifuddin charged that former political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, who is said to be a close confidant of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, should similarly be probed for his involvement in negotiating the government's purchase of submarines via Abdul Razak's company, Perimekar Sdn Bhd.
The transaction sparked public criticism when it was reported that Perimekar had earned a hefty commission from the deals.
Saifuddin added that Khairy should similarly be investigated to ascertain how the young politician, who is former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's son-in-law, could afford to take up stakes in investment and stockbroking-based company ECM Libra Avenue Bhd.
Khairy had purchased 10.2 million shares or 1.23% in ECM Libra Avenue Bhd at 71 sen each in December 2005 and sold his entire stake for 65 sen a share on Aug 11, 2006.
"We welcome Khairy Jamaluddin's efforts. This is to ensure that the political stage is filed with clean politicians. The rakyat deserves clean politicians and this gives us a chance to reveal new cases," Saifuddin said.
Saifuddin also asked Khairy to specify when and where the police report will be lodged, adding that he would personally accompany Khairy to the police station.
In a statement on Oct 6, Khairy said Umno Youth would lodge a police report over allegations that Anwar had RM3 billion in several master accounts in a bid to restart police probe into the allegations.
“This is a very serious accusation. When Abdul Murad’s statutory declaration was made, many wondered about the results of the investigations. Many still want to know whether the accusation is true and if it is, what the next course of action will be,” Khairy said in a statement yesterday.
The Umno Youth chief was responding to recent newspaper reports quoting Anwar’s friend-turned-nemesis Datuk K S Nallakarupan, who claimed the opposition leader had a lot of resources.
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