Azmin says claim that he stashed RM300m abroad is hogwash
Blogger must prove claims that I have millions in banks overseas, says minister
ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has rubbished allegations that he has millions of ringgit deposited in banks overseas.
Azmin, responding to claims in an anonymous blog posting that he had a large amount of money stashed abroad, said he did not entertain “gutter politics”.
“I do not entertain gutter politics. If I were to have over RM300 million, I would not be in PKR, right?
“This is a malicious and false accusation. We must not entertain this defamatory and slanderous remark,” he said at the Selangor menteri besar’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house yesterday.
Azmin challenged the anonymous writer to lodge a written complaint over his alleged wrongdoings and abuse of power.
“Do not make defamatory and baseless accusations. This is something that should not occur in today’s scenario. If anyone or any party is confident (about the allegations) and has strong and concrete evidence (to prove my alleged wrongdoings), come forward so that investigations (into the matter) can be carried out.
“I see this (spreading of malicious remarks) as an evil attempt to tarnish my reputation.”
Azmin, who is former Selangor MB, said he was willing to declare his assets should the need arise.
“That (declaration of assets) has been our practice in Selangor since the day I came into office in 2008 (as an assemblyman). That has been the policy.”
Asked if he would take legal action against the writer, Azmin said: “Who made the accusations? I do not know. That is why I said he or she must come forth with evidence.”
Reporters had on Saturday received a link to a blog post, https://toyolofselangor.wordpress.com, from an anonymous number.
The article, titled Toyol of Selangor, appeared to have described Azmin as a toyol, a supernatural creature in Malay mythology used to amass wealth.
The writer, who had claimed to be Azmin’s staff, wrote: “I can no longer stand by and watch him rob the rakyat! I cannot expose my identity as it will put my life and my family’s life in danger.”