The Malaysian Insight

PAS must clarify whether it paid Sarawak Report’s Clare Rewcastle-Brown after its president Abdul Hadi Awang withdrew his libel suit against her for claiming the Islamist party received RM90 million from Umno, said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

“The suit has been retracted. Rewcastle-Brown did not have to apologise (for the allegation she made). She continues to make the same allegation. 

“It means PAS was not able to defend (its case).

“Was there payment to Rewcastle-Brown from PAS in the out-of-court settlement? Can (PAS) confirm?” Anwar said in Penang today.

He also hinted that PAS might have paid Rewcastle-Brown more than “one million”, but did not elaborate or say where he had heard of such a payment.

Hadi had sued Rewcastle-Brown over a 2016 article alleging PAS received RM90 million linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd from Umno. He withdrew the suit at the London High Court earlier this month.

Rewcastle-Brown also dropped her counter-claim over harassment by PAS and others linked to the case. The rest of the settlement has remained confidential.

Anwar was commenting on Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Mohd Shukri Abdull’s announcement on Sunday that the anti-graft agency had found no proof that the funds went into PAS’ accounts.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad threw this finding into doubt, saying the anti-graft agency “may not have all the details. It will take time (to get the complete picture)”. – February 26, 2019.