The deputy prime minister today urged Anwar Ibrahim to clarify an allegation on his ownership of 20 master accounts worth RM3 billion by ex-Bank Negara assistant governor Abdul Murad Khalid.

Muhyiddin Yassin said the allegation was not a small matter, in fact, the opposition leader must be responsible in promptly explaining the matter to the people.

NONE "The figure (RM3 billion) mentioned is big. So, it is the duty of the opposition leader to clarify it. It is true or not. If not true, answer... the people wants to know... the non-government organisations (NGO) which are making the demands for an explanation also represent a large number of people.

"If untrue, Anwar must take action against the parties making the allegation, including the ex-Bank Negara assistant governor," he told reporters after launching a state-level 'Love Gardeners' Programme at Dataran Sarang Buaya in Muar today.

Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said Anwar's authority and integrity would be affected if he did not clarify the allegation.

Last Tuesday, Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali was reported to have raised an issue on the status of investigation of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on the revelation of Abdul Murad, almost 13 years ago.

Ibrahim reportedly said that the exposure by the Bank Negara assistant governor, among others, alleged that Anwar controlled 20 master accounts involving assets, shares and money worth RM3 billion, which were obtained when he was finance minister towards the end of the 1990s.

Newspapers today reported that several NGOs also urged MACC to speed up investigations in the claim as the matter was of public interest.

Police report lodged in Kuantan

Meanwhile in Kuantan, about 50 members from various NGOs today lodged a police report urging the authorities to investigate the allegations.

The NGOs included Pribumi Perkasa, Ex-Police Association (PBPM), Belia 4B all from Kuantan; Peninsular Malaysia Malay Students Coalition (GPMS), Pekida, and Berserah/Sungai Karang Welfare Body.

They made the report after holding a 30-minute peaceful demonstration at Taman Kerang near here at 10.30am.

The demonstration was aimed at urging the MACC, police, Home Affairs Ministry and Inland Revenue Board to take immediate action and investigate the matter.

State Perkasa information chief Muhammad Faiz Hashim said the MACC should not be silent on the matter and ought to conduct an investigation to prevent people's loss of confidence in the commission.

Kuantan PBPM secretary Rafaie Abdul Kadir said the authorities should act immediately to investigate the allegations to ascertain if it involved the country and people's money.

GPMS state chairman Wan Embril Nizam Wan Embong said the issue would be detrimental to the country if left unresolved.

- Bernama