PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said he would not have raised the possibility of Perikatan Nasional (PN) using proceeds from gambling companies in last year’s general election campaign if he did not have a basis for saying so.

He urged PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin to read his statement on the matter in full before taking any legal action.

“But if he (Muhyiddin) wants to proceed (with legal action), go ahead. I would not have made the statement without basis,” he told reporters after opening the Kuala Lumpur International Book Festival 2023 at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar said investigations into the matter involved various agencies, and therefore action would only be taken after sufficient evidence had been gathered.

Yesterday, it was reported that Muhyiddin wanted Anwar and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to apologise for alleging that PN had used funds from gambling companies and would seek legal advice for action against them.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said has said her written reply in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday regarding investigations into allegations that PN component parties received donations from gambling proceeds in the polls did not state that the probe had stopped or been dropped.

Azalina’s reply stated that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had conducted thorough investigations but no investigation files were opened because the information obtained was too general and no parties could confirm the matter.

When asked on speculation about a cabinet reshuffle, Anwar jokingly said: “If there are proposals, please write to me. I will consider.” – Bernama, May 27, 2023.