Malaysian politician defends right to support arrested gambler, but remains secretive
Politician says details on backing for arrested gambler must stay secret
Malaysia's embattled home affairs minister has asserted his right to send a letter in support of an alleged gambling racketeer, but claimed secrecy prevented him from being able to explain his actions - which police are now being asked to investigate.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi faced a deluge of criticism - including calls to resign - from Malaysian politicians and media after the reported nearly three weeks ago on the letter to the FBI vouching for Paul Phua Wei-seng, a Malaysian native who is facing illegal-bookmaking charges in Las Vegas.
In the "private and confidential" letter to FBI deputy director Mark Giuliano, Zahid denied claims put forward by US authorities that Phua was a member of the notorious 14K triad.
"Mr Phua has, on numerous [occasions], assisted the government of Malaysia on projects affecting our national security and accordingly we continue to call upon him to assist us from time to time and as such we are eager for him to return to Malaysia," Zahid wrote.
The minister broke his silence on the issue last week, saying his position granted him the authority to send such a letter. However, Zahid refused to reveal more about Phua's assistance as this was "classified as secret and cannot be revealed publicly".
Phua, 50, was arrested by federal agents in the US gambling mecca during the soccer World Cup last year and stands accused of running an illegal gambling operation from a suite at the city's Caesars Palace Hotel.
Phua, a prominent high-stakes poker player and former Macau junket operator, has denied any wrongdoing.
Fahmi Fadzil, communications director of Malaysia's opposition People's Justice Party, said Zahid's comments failed to address concerns raised by the letter. "To me, Mr Zahid's answer is effectively a non-answer.
"Many of the questions that my colleagues and I have raised have yet to be answered, including whether Mr Zahid had fully consulted the Malaysian attorney general and the Royal Malaysian Police prior to sending this letter," Fahmi said.
He added that his party had lodged a police report and were urging authorities to investigate whether the minister had broken any laws.
A decade ago, Phua was Macau's top-earning junket operator, bringing high-rolling gamblers into the city, before focusing his talents on so-called "nosebleed" poker games.
Weeks before his arrest in Las Vegas, he had been detained in Macau in a crackdown on an online betting ring that, according to Macau police, took HK$5 billion in wagers. He was deported from the city.
The raid remains the largest strike on illegal bookmaking in Las Vegas' history.
