SARAWAK Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown has refused to comment on PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s claim that PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang had paid her RM1.42 million as an out-of-court settlement to end his defamation suit.

Last night at a ceramah in Semenyih, Anwar produced what he claimed to be bank statements proving that the PAS leader had paid RM1.42 million to Rewcastle-Brown last month.

“No comment,” Rewcastle-Brown told The Malaysian Insight via WhatsApp from the UK, in response to Anwar’s allegations.

“I note that PAS leaders are making comments which are not truthful (referring to the settlement) and they shouldn’t be (because of the confidentiality clause),” she said, adding that Anwar’s alleged “statement is redacted” and could be anything.

During his ceramah last night, Anwar claimed to have blanked out the statements, and challenged PAS leaders to refute his allegations.

“The date February 19, 2019, from PAS to Claire Rewcastle, RM1.422 million paid. Paying to someone who slanders us? No,” Anwar said.

“If I am wrong, sue me. I am Anwar Ibrahim, I will not say it if I don’t have the facts.”

Hadi had sued Rewcastle-Brown in 2017 over a report the preceding year alleging PAS leaders took RM90 million to support Umno and Barisan Nasional ahead of the 14th general election.

He inexplicably withdrew the suit filed in London, UK, this year, and the report remains on the Sarawak Report website. – February 28, 2019.