KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysia youth leader has called on opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim to “clarify” accusations leveled against him that claim he misused some RM3 billion ($1.2 billion) of government funds. Former PKR Youth Secretary Johari Yasin called on Ibrahim to create an air of transparency ahead of elections scheduled for early next year. Yasin argued that the allegations against Ibrahim by PKR Deputy President Azmin Ali's sister Ummi Hafilda should not be continued and called on Ibrahim to tell the Malaysian people what has really happened. “She [Ummi], as well as former Bank Negara Malaysia assistant governor Datuk Abdul Murad Khalid have alleged that there are documents to prove that Anwar had amassed the RM3 billion. “We urge Anwar to clear the air as to the whereabouts of the fund, if he is truly involved,” Yasin told reporters. “If those allegations were all untrue, why then hasn't Anwar lodged any police report or sued Ummi and Murad? This just heightens the public's suspicion on Anwar. “The RM3 billion was the people's money which they paid in tax for the country's development … And we have the right to know where the money went and for what it has been used,” he continued. Yasin also urged for complete transparency and that if Ibrahim did in fact misuse government money, he should return it. “If you had really misused the money as being alleged, return it back … It is not yours to keep,” added Yasin. It comes on the heels of more charges over his role in the Bersih demonstrations in late April. Also facing the new attacks are PKR deputy Azmin Ali and Rembau PKR Youth Leader Hisham Shaharin, all over the Bersih rally on April 28 in the country. The three were accused in a Sessions Court on Monday with abetting R Tangam, G Rajesh Kumar and Farhan Ibrahim in violating a magistrate's court order on April 26 against participating in a street protest. Witnesses, a court official said, heard Ibrahim saying “tak habis-habis penindasan politik" (no end to political intimidation). Counsel Ramkarpal Singh asked the court for more time to amend their previous application to include the new charge. Sessions judge Mahmud Abdullah set September 3 for the hearing of the application. It is the latest in a long list of court dates for the embattled opposition leader.
