KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 — The federal government has “accepted” Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s explanation for his letter to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Paul Phua, amid growing pressure on the Home Minister to reveal the gambling kingpin’s role in national security.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said Putrajaya was “in principle” satisfied and accepted Ahmad Zahid’s explanation on the matter.

“The government has never defended or protected criminals regardless of whether they are Malaysian or foreigners.

“The government also constantly cooperates with international security agencies to stamp out crime, so long as that cooperation does not compromise national security,” he said in a brief written parliamentary answer to Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang dated March 17.

Last week, Putrajaya said it will not disclose Phua’s alleged involvement in matters of national security as stated in Zahid’s letter, claiming it is highly confidential.

Ahmad Zahid had earlier claimed that his predecessors had written similar letters in the past but did not divulge further details on the matter, claiming he was willing to “suffer the embarrassment” on his own without implicating his colleagues.

The minister also denied allegations that he was in cahoots with the “world’s biggest gambling kingpin”, claiming he has not received a single sen from any gambling kingpin or any illegal gambling groups.

Zahid has been in the limelight in January when a letter vouching for Phua surfaced during Phua’s trial in the United States.

Phua was facing illegal gambling charges in the US for taking bets during the football World Cup last summer.

Previously, Zahid had reportedly denied vouching for Phua and defended his letter by stating that it was done within his power as the home minister.