KOTA KINABALU: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has played down criticism that he did not speak up earlier over Najib Razak’s application for a plot of land and a house in Kuala Lumpur, saying he doesn’t comment on “rumours”.
This came after a news report over the issue by a portal which quoted a source within Umno slightly over a week ago. There were also rumours over the matter that had gone viral on social media.
“It was not confirmed then and was merely a rumour … we don’t comment on rumours,” he told reporters after an event in Kuching today.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said the matter was only known when former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad brought it up in Parliament on Thursday.
“And then the (finance) minister confirmed it. So people are questioning why there was no comment before this? Who knew before that?
“Only the federal Cabinet knew and they did not inform me. The minister confirmed the matter is being discussed and scrutinised by the Cabinet,” Anwar said.
Finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz had confirmed that Putrajaya had received an application from Najib for a property said to be located at Bukit Petaling, sparking pandemonium in the Dewan Rakyat.
The property was allegedly valued at RM100 million, although Tengku Zafrul did not confirm this figure in Parliament.
Opposition MPs criticised the move, with Mahathir also questioning the impact of Najib’s tenure as prime minister.
PH even said it may review its pact with Putrajaya after this revelation, with Anwar stating that “gifting” Najib the asset would be immoral and illogical since Najib had been found guilty of corruption by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
Najib said yesterday he was withdrawing the application which he said he is entitled to as a former prime minister.
He said this matter comes under Act 237 of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980.
He said his office only asked to be given a residence after the last general election as it was allowed under federal law for former prime ministers. He added that he was asked to choose from three plots of land.
Today, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said Najib’s entitlement for a plot of government land, as part of benefits offered to former prime ministers, should be put to a vote in the Dewan Rakyat despite Najib’s withdrawal of his application.
Lim said Tengku Zafrul had told him the Cabinet had approved it. Lim said there was no guarantee that Najib would not reapply after the Melaka state election was over. - FMT
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