PUTRAJAYA: There is no need for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to cut short his overseas working trip to address any national issues, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who serves as the government's spokesperson, stated that any issues concerning the government could be addressed by the Prime Minister, regardless of whether he is in the country or abroad.
He made these remarks in response to questions on whether Anwar should shorten his overseas visits to address several issues, including the circulation of a video allegedly showing several state assemblymen discussing a "bribery" worth hundreds of thousands of ringgit.
"If he (Anwar) needs to respond to any issues or provide comments, he can do so from anywhere," Fahmi said during the weekly press conference today.
A news portal recently reported that several assemblymen in Sabah had been caught on tape discussing bribes in exchange for obtaining project licences in the state. Following this, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) urged the whistleblower to file an official complaint with the agency.
Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency can offer protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, but the individual would need to come forward and follow the due procedures.
He also said MACC has yet to receive a formal report on the matter, although the whistleblower's lawyer has met with MACC officers.
Meanwhile, the Sabah government has expressed its readiness to cooperate with MACC following the allegations of bribery involving its assemblymen.