KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended the use of government vehicles and personnel during his movements in Sabah, stressing that such arrangements are strictly for security reasons and not for electioneering.
He told Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 18) that all his campaign activities were carried out under party banners and not the government’s.
"There is no government programme in Sabah. Those were party programmes. This has been answered in Parliament.
"Which vehicle do you expect me to use? Of course, (it's) government transportation. There is leeway given for that," he said, adding that a prime minister is required to use official vehicles and security personnel for any event because of national security considerations.
"But campaign programmes are not government programmes. I forbid it," he stressed.
Anwar cited a recent example in which a "Mahasiswa Temu Anwar" (students meet Anwar) session at a university was cancelled and moved elsewhere.
"I cancelled and changed the venue because I did not want a university, in its official capacity, to organise a programme just for me with the students.
"I hope the honourable member (Ahmad Fadhli) understands. Under government rules, the PM must use official transportation due to security, which is beyond my control," he said.
On an alleged corruption video linked to Sabah, Anwar said he had viewed the footage and found the claims "strong enough" to warrant investigation.
"I have explained this in Parliament. I watched it myself, and I consider the video to present compelling grounds for investigation.
"The investigation is being conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. According to its explanation, the case has been referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers.
"For now, this is a criminal case, and there is no time limitation," he said, stressing that three individuals have already been charged.
"Why only three? Because the MACC found the case against them compelling.
"The case has never been closed. I cannot instruct that someone must be charged just based on a video.
"Sometimes my statements are twisted in Sabah, as if I am using this as an excuse.
"I want to clarify that the evidence appears strong and reasonable, but it must be investigated. That is all. We must follow due process," he said.
He added that two of those charged were from parties within the unity government, "so it is not true that we are protecting government-aligned individuals."
On whether or not more individuals would be charged, Anwar said he could not predict that.
"What matters is that the case has not been erased or closed," he said.
Addressing the issue of his political secretary issuing a letter of support, Anwar said he had reprimanded him firmly, as such letters were against government procedures.
"If there is a letter addressed to me, the maximum I can write is 'please review'. That is the standard.
"There are dozens of letters in Sabah alone, some about contracts, and we simply say 'please review'.
"But issuing any form of support is not allowed. I agree with Pasir Mas on this," he added.
