Anwar: There was no directive

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday there was no directive from him to the previous Penang government to extend the repayment period for Business Focus Sdn Bhd (BFSB) when he was the deputy prime minister and finance minister in 1997.

Expressing his disappointment at former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon's statement that he had given such a directive, Anwar said Koh should have played his role as the people's custodian.

"Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has even shown a letter from my political secretary, a standard letter which was sent following appeal from the company (BFSB). There was no instruction given, and the state government was just asked to look into the matter," Anwar said.

BFSB had bought Penang Shipbuilding Corporation Sdn Bhd and its land, including a parcel in Pulau Jerejak, from the Penang Development Corporation in an agreement dated April 27, 1992 for RM29 million.

Lim had accused the previous state government of giving special privileges, by extending the repayment period to May 31, 2008.

Regina William
The Edge
21/08/08

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