KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 — In the face of the Home Minister’s protracted silence, the onus is on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to explain his government’s official letter to the US allegedly backing the notorious Paul Phua, an opposition lawmaker said today.
Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo also urged the prime minister to clarify if the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had sought advice from the Attorney-General (AG) before sending out the letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US, where Phua has been charged with illegal gambling.
“This is not just a matter of public importance but one which has generated international attention.
“It is shameful to find that Malaysia seems to have contradictory if not odd positions taken by the police, the Home Ministry and its government over the matter and it makes it even worse to find the Prime Minister silent in light of this all,” the DAP federal lawmaker said in a statement.
He reminded Najib of his responsibility as head of the federal government, stressing that the prime minister is also accountable for the actions of his minister.
“We want to know in full the basis upon which the Home Ministry issued the said letter,” Gobind said, stressing that the letter is significant because it involved an ongoing criminal prosecution of a Malaysian citizen in the US, and would impact bilateral relations, especially in the exchange of information.
He added that it was reported the letter was allegedly written to correct an earlier mistake and confirming that Phua was indeed assisting Malaysian national security.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has kept silent over claims made by prominent lawyer Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah that the police have cleared his client, Phua, over the latter’s involvement with a fearsome Hong Kong-based triad.
The letter in question surfaced at the trial of the former Macau junket operator whose full name is Paul Phua Wei Seng, who is facing illegal gambling charges in the US for taking bets during the football World Cup last summer.
The letter was presented as part of the defence’s case but was later withdrawn after Putrajaya objected to it being made public.
In the letter signed by Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, 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 our national security.
