PM claims Terengganu, Kelantan excos also sent support letters seeking nod for firms

 

PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called the opposition "hypocrites" for being vocal over alleged letters of support that his aides sent out for companies seeking government projects.

In his response to an opposition MP's question regarding the matter, Anwar read out excerpts from two support letters allegedly written by leaders in the PAS-led Terengganu and Kelantan governments and compared them to those of his aides.

According to the prime minister, the letters by his officers were written as “dipanjangkan” (forwarded for reference) and “untuk pertimbangan” (for deliberation), while those by the state leaders clearly sought approval on behalf of private parties.

"So don't... You need to be consistent. (You made) a big noise about forwarded letters, like it was a grave sin.

"But you kept quiet about letters that seek approval.

"Here I read the letters again: '...for Datuk's approval' which was written by a Terengganu state exco member, while the other one by Kelantan (leader) says 'memohon pertimbang kelulusan' (requesting deliberation for approval)," Anwar said during Minister's Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat.

While Anwar did not name either the Kelantan or Terengganu state leader, he said the letter from the latter was from its Infrastructure, Utilities and Rural Development Committee chairperson.

The prime minister was responding to a question posed by Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah), who wanted to know whether the government would conduct an internal audit on ministers' officers.

Anwar reiterates stand

Two of Anwar's political aides have recently been implicated in allegations of penning support letters for companies, which have since gone viral.

The prime minister told the Dewan Rakyat that he had made it clear that he is against the practice of issuing support letters.

However, Anwar said forwarding letters and seeking deliberation are not wrong, albeit agreeing that those doing it should be reprimanded.

"They should be reprimanded, but does this warrant a firing? Because the letter stated 'sila pertimbangkan' (please consider), not proposing for approval," he said. - Mkini