OPPOSITION'S BORDER LAND CLAIMS BASELESS, MISLEADING - PM ANWAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has again rejected opposition claims that Malaysia handed over more than 5,000 hectares of land along the Sabah-Kalimantan border to Indonesia.

Describing the allegation as baseless and irresponsible, Anwar said it amounted to an abuse of freedom of speech, and that the opposition is spreading false information, distorting facts and exploiting religious sentiments to mislead the public.

“This is the opposition misusing freedom of speech to talk nonsense, lie, misuse Islam and deceive the people with false information.

“If they want clarification, they can ask the Prime Minister. Instead, they pass judgment and continue lying. I cannot accept this. This is not the conduct expected of a responsible opposition,” he said.

Anwar was responding to the Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s statement yesterday, reiterating the claim that Malaysia had ceded 5,207 hectares of land to Indonesia as compensation for three villages in the Nunukan area near the Sabah-Kalimantan border, and called for the matter to be debated in Parliament.

Asked whether the government would provide further clarification in Parliament, Anwar said it was unnecessary as the allegation was clearly false and made in bad faith.

“There is no need for clarification. Those who make accusations, lie and slander continuously must be held accountable. We cannot accept such dirty and destructive political practices,” he said.

Earlier, the Prime Minister joined more than 2,000 congregants in performing Friday prayers at Masjid Ar-Rahimah in Taman Greenwood, Gombak. Also present was Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

-- BERNAMA