KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has accepted the resignation of his senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
In a statement yesterday, Anwar also thanked Shamsul Iskandar for his service.
“Regarding the allegations raised, I wish to stress that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is free to conduct an immediate investigation without any external interference.
“The Madani Government remains committed to the principles of transparency and integrity and will allow the investigation process to proceed according to the law,” he said in a Bernama report.
Shamsul Iskandar announced his resignation on Tuesday.
The issue surfaced recently after former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli urged the Prime Minister to take action, including a possible MACC investigation, over a letter of support issued by one of Anwar’s political secretaries.
Meanwhile, the MACC said it will investigate claims that businessman Albert Tei had bribed Shamsul Iskandar.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said both Tei and Shamsul Iskandar will be summoned soon to give their statements.
He added that other relevant parties will also be called to assist in gathering evidence.
“The public is advised not to speculate and to give MACC space to conduct its investigation,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said the task includes collecting statements and evidence related to the allegations.
The probe follows claims linking Shamsul Iskandar and the Prime Minister’s Office to bribery in Sabah.
The MACC said the investigation is ongoing and all parties must cooperate fully.
Meanwhile, Shamsul Iskandar lodged a police report against Tei, accusing him of spreading defamatory claims involving Anwar.
In a Facebook post, Shamsul Iskandar said he filed the report at 5.05pm yesterday while campaigning in Gum Gum for the Sabah elections.
He added Tei had falsely alleged that Anwar instructed him to secretly record conversations with several Sabah politicians.
Shamsul Iskandar described the allegation as a “malicious conspiracy” aimed at damaging the Prime Minister’s reputation and destabilising the government during the Sabah polls.
“These defamatory accusations are clearly an orchestrated effort to tarnish the image of the Prime Minister and an undemocratic attempt to topple the government, especially during the Sabah election campaign,” he said.
Shamsul Iskandar added that he would not allow anyone to misuse his name or his former position for political gain.
He expressed confidence the police would open an immediate investigation into the matter and that he was fully prepared to cooperate with any enforcement body, including the MACC.
