MACC to reopen RM3bil case against Anwar?

New evidence said to link opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim with master accounts worth RM3 billion and dozens of properties in the country has encouraged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to reopen the case which surfaced in 1999, reported a Malay daily today.

The Berita Harian quoted sources as saying the MACC may open investigation files against Anwar after receiving new evidence submitted by Umi Hafilda Ali (left), who had a falling out with her brother, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

According to the sources, the new information suggested that the MACC zoom into 62 properties worth billions that are linked to Anwar.

"The information provider has conducted checks at the land office to verify the link between Anwar and these properties.

"They include luxurious bungalows and penthouses, mostly in Penang. The name of a woman also appears frequently, linked to the properties mentioned," said the sources.

The sources added that the properties were acquired around 1990s.

However, Umi refused to reveal to Berita Harian the new evidence she submitted to the investigators besides from saying that it involves Azmin.

"A few individuals are linked to the new evidence, and if Anwar see the photograph of the woman, he would certainly recognise her," she added.

The 'RM3 billion master accounts' allegation refers to the statutory declaration made by former Bank Negara assistant governor Abdul Murad Khalid in 1999 claiming, among others, that Anwar controlled about RM3 billion in 20 separate accounts while he was the finance minister.

However, Abdul Murad retracted his declaration later, claiming that the then Anti-Corruption Agency coerced him into signing it.

Anwar denied the allegation, arguing that retired Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) investigation director Abdul Razak Idris had produced a statutory declaration in 2009 exonerating him in the case.