Anwar Urges Ministers To Keep Tabs On Aides Following Scandal

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reminded all ministers to keep a close eye on their officers, following corruption allegations implicating his former aide, Shamsul Iskandar Akin.
Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said Anwar had issued the prompt while briefing the cabinet on the situation involving Shamsul, who has since resigned as the prime minister’s senior political secretary.
“(Anwar) reminded all cabinet members to remain vigilant, especially with their officers; no one will be shielded if any form of misconduct occurs.
“No one is exempt from the laws of our country,” Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, told a post-cabinet meeting press conference in Putrajaya today.
Fahmi added that Anwar had reiterated his assurance that protection will not be afforded to anyone, whoever they may be, if there are any matters that require investigation by authorities, including the MACC.
Government spokesperson Fahmi FadzilWhen asked about PKR’s potential action against Shamsul, who is also the party’s Malacca chief, Fahmi said there have yet to be discussions on the matter at the party level, adding that further developments might have to wait until the next central leadership council meeting.
RM629k, cigars, suits, renovations
Before Shamsul’s resignation on Nov 25, businessperson Albert Tei claimed that he had spent RM629,000 on Shamsul after being assured that the PKR leader could aid in recouping monies channelled to politicians in Sabah.
Besides funding renovations, appliances, and furnishings for two properties, Tei alleged that he had spent thousands of ringgit on premium cigars and tailored suits for Shamsul, who also purportedly requested money from the businessperson while travelling abroad. 
A video recording published on social media also depicted Tei conversing with a woman, allegedly Shamsul’s proxy, who told the businessperson that Anwar had given his blessings for the Sabah politicians to be secretly recorded.
According to the video timestamp, the recording was made last Friday.
Shamsul Iskandar Akin (left) and Albert TeiShamsul has since lodged a police report against Tei, claiming that the slanderous accusations detailed in the video recordings are a clear and sinister conspiracy to tarnish Anwar’s image.
However, Shamsul did not mention whether his police complaint also targeted Tei’s assertions of having spent money on him.
The MACC is also in the process of recording a statement from Shamsul.
‘No journalist should be attacked’
On a separate matter, Fahmi said today that Anwar had expressed his condemnation of the recent attack against senior journalist Haresh Deol. 
“The incident, which occurred a few days ago in Bangsar, is something that should never happen to any journalist, especially when they are carrying out their duties,” Fahmi affirmed. 
He added that the cabinet is leaving it to the authorities to conduct a full investigation into the attack.
Earlier today, Krishnan Rajendran, 37, pleaded guilty to assaulting Haresh. The accused was charged together with another individual who remains at large.
Krishnan Rajendran being escorted to court todayThe charge was framed under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum one-year jail time or a maximum RM2,000 fine, or both.
Haresh, the co-founder of online news portal Twentytwo13, previously expressed hope that police would manage to nab all the individuals involved in assaulting him on Tuesday to get a clear picture of what actually transpired.
He said this in response to Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus’ claim that Haresh was a victim of mistaken identity, where one of the assailants actually wanted to target another man who allegedly harassed his wife.
There have been speculations that the attack on Haresh could be linked to his critical stance on issues, including the citizenship controversy involving the International Federation of Association Football (Fifa) and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). - Mkini

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