KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): Businessman Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador has categorically denied allegations that he stole and laundered billions of ringgit abroad, dismissing the claims as baseless, defamatory, and politically motivated.

He issued the denial in a media statement on Wednesday, in which he addressed reports published by online news portals on April 22, April 23, and May 5, regarding a video recording that allegedly contained a purported conversation between two individuals identified as Sofia Rini and businessman Albert Tei.

"The said reports have broadcasted and/or repeated extremely serious allegations against me, among them that I have stolen and laundered billions of ringgit abroad, to places including Türkiye and Africa, and supposedly that I am now a Turkish citizen.

"I firmly and unequivocally deny all these accusations. These claims are untrue, baseless, and defamatory in nature, clearly intended to tarnish my reputation and integrity, as well as to negatively impact my personal life and business affairs," Farhash said.

To rebut the allegations, Farhash said he is not a Turkish citizen, does not hold any bank accounts in Türkiye, and has never been involved in any theft or money laundering activities as alleged.

"I am merely a businessman and am not currently involved in the political arena. I have absolutely no idea why I am being dragged into this matter, except that these individuals have ulterior motives to gain political mileage," he said.

Viewing what he termed as the "malicious distribution" of the video seriously, Farhash said he has lodged a police report and handed the matter over to authorities for further investigations, including for criminal defamation under Section 499 of the Penal Code.

He has also instructed his lawyers to file legal action against those responsible for spreading the claims to protect his name and interests.

The video also reportedly implicated Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, a former political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who subsequently stepped down from his role to clear his name regarding alleged claims.

On May 5, Malaysiakini reported that Tei filed a police report urging authorities to open an investigation against Anwar and Farhash.