KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 20): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed the allegation that a minister had solicited RM9.5 million in connection with the “corporate mafia” controversy as a mere “political statement unsupported by evidence”.
He said the implied official had strongly denied the claims and initiated legal action.
“We should allow the legal process to take its course rather than passing judgement prematurely,” Anwar said during the prime minister’s question time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
He was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu), who asked about the investigation status into claims that a minister had received RM9.5 million to act as an intermediary to resolve issues linked to an alleged “corporate mafia”.
In March, businessman Victor Chin Boon Long alleged that an executive director of HeiTech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) — identified only as Mr R — and his associates had used pressure, coercion and restrictions on shareholders to force them to sell their shares in NexG Bhd. The group, which supplies Malaysian passport booklets and identity cards, recently reverted to its former name, Datasonic Group Bhd (KL:DATASONIC).
Chin further claimed that a PKR member of Parliament had solicited RM10 million from him to resolve the issues, of which RM9.5 million was purportedly paid.
Amid speculations sparked by Chin's claims, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan refuted the allegations, saying he had never solicited nor accepted money from Chin, and that he had never met the businessman.
In the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, Anwar said investigations into corporate crimes will continue, including those involving members of his own party, and that he would not interfere with prosecution decisions.
Pointing to past prosecutions involving PKR members, including a recent case involving his former political secretary, Anwar said he had not used his authority to prevent enforcement actions.
Anwar's former senior political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, resigned in late November 2025 following bribery allegations linked to businessman Albert Tei Jiann Cheng. Shortly after, he was charged with multiple counts of allegedly soliciting and accepting bribes amounting to nearly RM177,000 to assist in securing mineral exploration licence approvals in Sabah.
Shamsul, who is also formerly PKR's information chief, pleaded not guilty to the charges and is now out on bail as trial proceedings continue in the Sessions Court. Tei was also charged in connection with the bribes and has similarly claimed trial.
“If there is a case and evidence to support it, disclose it and take action. I will not shut it down,” he said.
He also urged Cabinet members to exercise their authority responsibly and address wrongdoings while they were still in office.
For more Parliament stories, click here.
Read also:
Anwar: Govt to set up special committee to investigate corporate crime, chaired by attorney general
Anwar cites three cases of owners forced to sell their firms over politics post-Asian Financial Crisis
PKR's Ramanan denies taking RM9.5 mil from Victor Chin, refutes 'Mr R' identity
Victor Chin claims a 'Mr R' acted as corporate mafia middleman; issues RM9.5m ultimatum to unnamed MP
Anwar’s former political secretary charged with taking nearly RM177,000 bribes, businessman Tei also charged