KUALA LUMPUR – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has stated that there is no time limit for initiating legal action in criminal cases, such as the one alleging that Perikatan Nasional (PN) used gambling funds.
She also said that the allegations of PN receiving gambling funds during the 15th general election (GE15) last year are still under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), following the appearance of a witness who submitted evidence in May.
“Therefore, MACC cannot disclose the details of the investigation in accordance with subsection 29(4), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act [Act 694], which states that any such investigation shall be kept confidential and may not be disclosed by any person until the accused person is charged in court.
“At the same time, apart from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, there are also other responsible and authoritative agencies.
“(This includes) the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) to investigate any criminal offence committed by any entity,” she said in a parliamentary written reply to PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN).
Fadhli had asked Azalina about the status of the investigation into the allegations that PN used gambling funds during GE15.
On July 15, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had dared PN to sue him for defamation if the allegation was false.
During a campaign tour in Kedah, Anwar had insisted that the gambling money had helped PN win seats during GE15.
On June 6, MACC senior investigation director Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed that a thorough investigation was being carried out in accordance with a report filed in relation to claims that PN had used gambling money to fund its election campaign.
“The investigation will cover various aspects including identifying and investigating the background of the companies mentioned in the report,” Hishamuddin said. – November 8, 2023