PETALING JAYA: Former Umno information chief Isham Jalil gave a statement to the police today after he suggested that Anwar Ibrahim sue Bloomberg for reporting that the prime minister was involved in deciding who the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should investigate.
Putrajaya police chief Aidi Sham Mohamed said Isham was being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation, Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for statements conducing to public mischief, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for making and initiating the transmission of offensive communications.
Sinar Harian reported Aidi as saying Isham’s statement was recorded by the criminal investigation department at the Putrajaya police headquarters.
Citing sources, Bloomberg last month reported that MACC chief Azam Baki told officials in the anti-graft agency that Anwar had given instructions to investigate former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his sons, as well as former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.
The report also claimed that MACC was told not to investigate share purchases by Anwar’s former political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak.
Both the Prime Minister’s Office and MACC denied Bloomberg’s claims.
In a Facebook post, Isham suggested that Anwar sue the international news agency as the report had "significant implications".
"If it is untrue, it would be very embarrassing for the prime minister and undermine public and investor confidence in his commitment to combating corruption," he had said.
