Malaysia PM Anwar’s senior aide resigns after letter controversy

[KUALA LUMPUR] A senior aide to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has resigned following controversy over a support letter for a hospital project that led to mounting pressure on the premier to step up his commitment in tackling graft. 

Anwar’s senior political secretary Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said in a post on X that he had submitted his resignation on Tuesday (Nov 25) to “defend” himself from attacks that may damage the government’s image. 

Shamsul had allegedly issued a letter supporting contractors bidding for a hospital project in the southern state of Johor. The move drew criticism and calls for his dismissal, with former economy minister Rafizi Ramli urging Anwar to take firm action and for a possible probe by the country’s anti-graft agency. 

Anwar said he had reprimanded the aide involved and while he disagreed with issuance of the letter, it was “vague” and did not constitute an instruction. BLOOMBERG