The government will name the former minister alleged to have funded radical Islamic organisations in the United States when the time comes, Information Minister Khalil Yaakob said today.

He said the government will procure more information from Islamic Supreme Council of America chairman Syahkh Muhammad Hisham Kabani, who exposed the matter recently saying the ex-minister had given US$10 million (RM38 million) to these organisations.

 I am certain that if we ask him, he will mention (the name), Khalil was quoted as saying by Bernama.

The information minister, who spoke to reporters in Kuantan, Pahang, said the government would have to discuss the matter and find an appropriate time to make it public.

The Bernama report said Khalil, asked if the delay in naming the minister would fuel speculations, replied: Thats usual. The Shaykh only mentioned a senior politician, a former minister.

He must have the name. We will go from there and when the time comes, we will tell.

Following Shaykh Muhammads revelation, there has been widespread speculation that the unnamed former minister is jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Yesterday, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail urged the government to investigate this claim and name the former minister.

Azizah, who is Anwars wife, said: If the investigations are not done and the identity of the leader is not exposed, I am afraid the government might take advantage of this and use it for its political means.

Other opposition leaders have also called on the government to release the name.

Flimsy allegation

DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang today said Shaykh Muhammad should be banned from entering Malaysia again if he fails to substantiate his allegation.

The alleged activities of the unnamed former minister were said to have resulted in Malaysia being in the bad books of the US and its media for links to militancy and terrorism, he said.

We cannot allow foreigners to act with impunity in recklessly trying to interfere with the internal domestic affairs of Malaysia with falsehoods and baseless allegations, stressed Lim in a press statement.

The opposition leader also questioned Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawis decision to accept the allegation before verifying it.

Abdullah was quoted by newspapers as saying, I have always wondered why the US and its media made so many accusations against us. Now we know why.

The deputy premier added the financial contributions to these extremist groups were likely to be personal contributions by the former minister and that the funds were not linked to the Malaysian government.

Malaysia has been accused by the Western media of being the launchpad for the Sept 11 terror attacks on the United States based on reports obtained from the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Lim said the reluctance of the government to name the former minister suggested that the allegations are flimsy and unsubstantiated.