PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today pointed out that Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle Brown had never claimed that PAS’ funds originated from 1MDB, but from Umno instead.
According to Anwar, 1MDB-linked funds were not channelled directly to PAS, but to one of its former leaders who still maintains close ties with the party.
"1MDB funds were not given to PAS,” he said.
Anwar claimed this former PAS leader received RM3 million, adding that there is record of the transfer of funds.
“So okay, we don’t disturb PAS (on 1MDB funds). But what happened was that PAS did get money from Umno,” he said.
On Feb 24, MACC chief Mohd Shukri Abdull stated that the commission did not find any money originating from 1MDB in PAS’ account.
This confirmed what a well-placed source had earlier told Malaysiakini.
As the source noted, however, this was limited to the PAS official bank account, and not those of its leaders.
Following Shukri’s comment, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said it proved that the allegations against the party were slander, and threatened to sue anyone who perpetuated the claim.
Anwar holds ‘evidence’ close to chest, prods PAS to challenge him
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim revealed little tonight about his claim that PAS had to pay Sarawak Editor Clare Rewcastle Brown a large sum of money to settle its defamation suit, except to say that the figure was RM1.4 million.
Keeping the purported evidence close to his chest, Anwar prodded PAS to challenge his claim.
“My name is Anwar Ibrahim, I won’t fight if I don’t have evidence. This is a fact and I have evidence.
“PAS, specifically its president Abdul Hadi Awang, had to pay RM1.4 million to Rewcastle Brown.
“If PAS wishes to challenge me – anytime. I have the evidence,” he told a ceramah in Semenyih.
The ceramah ahead of this Saturday’s by-election was held at an abandoned bus station – a project initiated by the previous BN government that was never completed.
Anwar said he deliberately goaded PAS for an answer yesterday when he alleged that a payment was made to Sarawak Report.
“Yesterday, I wanted to test them, I asked if they paid Rewcastle Brown, they said ‘no’,” he said.
Anwar maintained that he was telling the truth, however.
PAS has come under repeated criticism from the PKR leader of late for what he claims is its endorsement of lies.
This follows the party’s defence of central committee member Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz, who admitted he lied about not being the recorded saying that PAS took money from Umno.
Nik Abduh had also said he lied with the blessing of the PAS president.
Yesterday, PAS denied that Hadi paid the sum as part of a Feb 1 out-of-court settlement.
Hadi had sued Rewcastle Brown in London over a 2016 Sarawak Report article claiming that then-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak channelled RM90 million to top PAS leaders in a bid for support ahead of the 14th general election.
On Feb 13, the PAS president said both Sarawak Report and him agreed to settle the suit and keep the conditions confidential.
“If she (Rewcastle Brown) wants to reveal (the confidential conditions), it is up to her. I have not done so,” he added.
When contacted by Malaysiakini, Rewcastle Brown declined to comment on the claim that Hadi had paid her the sum.
MKINI
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