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Anwar calls for independent probe on government project awards

From: AFP
Date: 04 May 1999
Time: 01:59:16

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KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (AFP) - Ousted Malaysian deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim called Tuesday for an independent committee to investigate the awarding of all government projects and corporate shareholdings. Anwar, serving a six-year jail sentence for corruption and facing further sodomy and corruption charges, also challenged Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to make public the companies headed by his children.

"Let Dr. Mahathir disclose to the public the hundreds of companies owned by his children, especially Mirzan and Mokzani," Anwar said in a statement read by his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"Let him establish an independent committee to investigate all privatisation projects, and the awards of shares and contracts."

Anwar also urged the premier to "disclose all assets owned by national leaders, former leaders and (Mahathir's) family members, including all bank accounts inside and outside the country."

His comments followed Mahathir's accusation over the weekend that his former protege had awarded contracts and given high corporate positions to his supporters.

Mahathir alleged that one of Anwar's cronies, a high-profile businessman, had amassed wealth amounting to 230 million ringgit (61 million dollars).

In his statement, Anwar challenged Mahathir to prove the allegation.

Mahathir reportedly said in remarks published Tuesday that he knew there were many more who had gained from Anwar's patronage.

Many companies were compelled to appoint Anwar's associates as chairmen or directors so that "everything becomes easy," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Anwar will go to trial again on June 7 on the sodomy charge. He still faces another corruption charge and four more counts of sodomy, a criminal offence in Malaysia with up to 20 years in jail plus whipping.

Last changed: May 06, 1999