Malaysia will not protect Riza Chalid from corruption probes
He also assured the Dewan Rakyat that the issue involving Riza would not affect ongoing talks between Malaysia and Indonesia regarding their dispute in the Sulawesi Sea.
"The matter involving Riza is a legal issue, and we will not provide any protection to him. Let the legal process take its course. This is the prime minister's commitment.
"The issue that purportedly impacted negotiations at the Sulawesi Sea does not arise," he said.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is currently in Jakarta for an official trip, said yesterday that Malaysia would not interfere in legal matters involving Riza, who is implicated in a corruption case concerning fuel imports.
Acting Indonesian Immigration director-general Yuldi Yusman reportedly said on July 16 that Riza is believed to have been in Malaysia since Feb 6, having departed from Soekarno-Hatta airport.
Riza has been named as a suspect in a corruption case linked to state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina.
Mohamad was responding to a supplementary question from Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Kamal (PN-Machang), who asked if the issue involving Riza would affect ongoing talks between Malaysia and Indonesia in the Sulawesi Sea.
Earlier, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) had also inquired about the outcome of talks between Malaysia and Indonesia over the dispute.
Mohamad said numerous issues were discussed, including border trade between Sabah and Indonesia, maritime affairs between the two countries, and access to Community Learning Centres (CLCs) in Sabah, which require support.
"The issue of the Sulawesi Sea was raised in general. Both leaders agreed that the two countries would resolve the matter through existing mechanisms in search of the best solution, based on international law, to safeguard the sovereignty and interests of both nations," he said.
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