KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today that it was the previous administration that approved HeiTech Padu Bhd for consideration in government contracts.

The company is associated with his former political secretary, Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, and was one of three companies shortlisted by the government in March this year to develop the RM1 billion NIISe project, intended as a replacement for the MyIMMs system.

It has been reported that Farhash secured a 15.91 per cent stake (16.1 million shares) in HeiTech Padu on 14 March.

"What is the issue? What company? What case? I believe the MP for Pasir Mas knows that the company in question involves His Majesty the Sultan, not Farhash.

"The approval of the contract in question was granted by the previous government. It was your government, YB, not mine.

"I want to clarify that the approval for that company occurred during the previous government’s administration. At that time, Farhash had not yet become a member of that company. This is a fact, and there are records to support it. This is not about politics,” Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat today, adding that checks indicated the company had received approval in 2022.

The New Straits Times (NST) reported that Farhash previously stated that the shares he holds in HeiTech through Rosetta Partners Sdn Bhd are jointly owned with Kelantan’s monarch, Sultan Muhammad V.

In April, The Star reported that Farhash ceased to be a substantial shareholder in the company.

The Edge noted that Rosetta Partners is currently HeiTech Padu’s largest shareholder with a 15.9 per cent stake, followed by MyEG Services Bhd at 15.89 per cent and founder and deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hilmey Mohd Taib at 14.16 per cent.

Expounding further in the Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar stated that the majority of shares in HeiTech Padu are now owned by Sultan Muhammad V.

"If there are any violations, please bring them to light. I say this in Parliament: if there is a case, it will be investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and if there is a case, I will ensure it is not closed,” he added.

He emphasised that it was unfair to continuously associate Farhash’s activities with him solely because Farhash had previously been his officer.

Anwar also welcomed any reports regarding Farhash or others suspected of corruption, should there be substantial information.

"However, if there is clear evidence involving anyone, including Farhash, please report it. I will ensure that the MACC does not close the case,” he stated.

Anwar was responding to a supplementary question from Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who inquired about the status of several investigations, including one related to Farhash and HeiTech Padu, lamenting that the findings had never been made public.