Home Affairs Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi tried to fend off criticism of his move to send the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) a letter explaining the legal status of gambler Paul Phua, who is being tried in the States.
Zahid said his letter to the FBI was not a statement of support for Phua, but was rather a clarfication on the allegation that the gambler was a member of the 14K triad in Malaysia.
“Previous ministers before me had also written such clarification letters,” he said, as reported by The Malay Mail Online‘s Syed Jaymal Zahiid.
“It is based on this and the power of the home minister that I signed the letter.
“So, using my discretion, I had issued the letter explaining Paul Phua’s status to the FBI. It was not a support letter for him not to be charged.”
Zahid said the letter was composed following a request by the law firm representing Phua in Malaysia, Shafee & Co. The firm had asked the Home Ministry to explain to the FBI that Phua was not classified as being a member of the 14K in Malaysia.
Shafee & Co. is headed by UMNO’s got-to attorney, Shafee Abdullah.
The Home Minister also stated that the Cabinet had received his explanation on the issue, and appeared to be satisfied with it.
Zahid stressed that the 14K triad did not have any presence in Malaysia, and that Phua was not a member of the triad in Malaysia.
He did not, however, state whether Phua was a 14K member outside the country.
Paul Phua is on trial in Nevada for illegal gambling activities.
Photo: The Star
