PUTRAJAYA, Jan 20 ― Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said today he has never written a letter stating support for any individuals to the US’ Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) now or during his time as home minister.

The defence minister was asked today about current Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who wrote a letter to the FBI clearing alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua of links to the 14K triad.

Zahid was previously quoted as saying he was not the only Cabinet member to have penned such letters to the FBI.

“No. I have never sent a support letter to the FBI,” Hishammuddin told reporters here after the prime minister’s announcement of revisions to Budget 2015.

“I can’t comment, I can only answer for myself,” he added when asked to speak on Zahid’s action.

Zahid defended last Thursday his decision to write the letter on Phua to the FBI, saying it was done within his powers as the home minister.

He also said he could not reveal why he wrote that Phua was assisting Putrajaya on security matters, adding that the letter was written following a request by the firm representing Phua here, Shafee & Co.

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that Zahid did not inform the Cabinet prior to issuing the letter.

The letter in question surfaced at the trial of Phua, a former Macau junket operator, who is facing illegal gambling charges in the US for taking bets during the World Cup last summer.

Zahid’s letter to the FBI dated December 18, 2014, was reportedly withdrawn as evidence in Phua’s illegal gambling trial in Las Vegas after Putrajaya objected to it being made public.

In the letter signed by the home minister, it clearly states that based on the ministry’s information, Phua is neither a member nor associated with the 14K Triad.

The letter also stated that according to its records, Phua has on numerous occasions assisted the Malaysian government on projects affecting the country’s national security.

US authorities have alleged that Phua is part of the 14K triad, which has been described as a fearsome Hong Kong-based triad with international reach.

Both Phua and his son Darren were charged in a Las Vegas court on August 5 and both are now freed after posting bail totalling US$2.5 million (RM7.97 million).