PAS wants Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to apologise for alleging that Perikatan Nasional (PN) parties had used gambling proceeds to fund their campaigns in last year’s general election.

PAS information chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin said this was after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said’s explanation yesterday that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) would not pursue further action on the allegation.

Azalina said in a parliamentary written reply that MACC found the information on the allegations “too general” and could not be confirmed.

As such, she said, MACC did not open any investigation papers.

Azalina was replying to PAS Youth chief and Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s question on the case.  

Khairil said this showed that Anwar had lied.

“It is clear proof that the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional government led by the prime minister lied,” he said in a statement today.

“The allegation was first made by the prime minister a few weeks after taking office, and this confirms he has lied.

“We urge the prime minister to issue a public apology for the lies and slander he has hurled against PN.”

Anwar, in days after becoming the prime minister, has said his administration was looking into allegations that PAS and Bersatu had used gambling proceeds from 4D special draws by gaming companies to help fund their election campaign.

This was immediately refuted by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan then, saying that the accusations were “baseless”.

He had also urged Anwar to present clear evidence over the claims.

Meanwhile, PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin was reported as saying today that the coalition would consider suing Anwar for his allegations.

According to Free Malaysia Today, the former prime minister said PN would first demand an apology and wait to see if Anwar responds. – May 26, 2023.